Ranchester is located in Sheridan County north of Sheridan along US Highway 14 on the banks of the Tongue River near the Bighorn National Forest. Ranchester was named by Senator S. H. Hardin by combining “ranch” with the English suffix for walled city, “chester.” Various Historical Links: FORT FETTERMAN Fort Fetterman State Historic Site is reachable via Hwy 93 off the N Douglas exit of I-25. This unique site preserves the fort's restored officers' quarters and an ordinance warehouse. The fort was formerly an Army supply post, built in 1867. A museum on-site presents exhibits about the history of the military and Fetterman City. Artifacts like weapons and clothing are on display. CONNOR BATTLEFIELD STATE HISTORIC SITE Located just south of Hwy 14 in Ranchester, this site has at least 20 picnic and camping sites available for public use along the Tongue River, along with two restrooms, a playground and horseshoe pits. Every site includes a grill and table, and two are currently under construction to become ADA accessible. Community facilities are but a few blocks away, but with the quiet and peaceful mood the site gives off, you would never know it. Campsites operate on a first-come, first-served basis, and there are no reservations. The park closes to the public at the end of October. Short visits to the Big Horn Mountains and other nearby historic sites, and fishing for Trout and Whitefish in the Tongue River are optional when visiting Connor Battlefield. BRADFORD BRINTON MEMORIAL HISTORIC RANCH This facility recreates the atmosphere of ranch life in the Old West. A collection of Western art includes sculptures, paintings, and etchings by a variety of artists including Edward Borein, Frank Tenney Johnson, Charles M. Russell and Frederic Remington. There is also a large collection of Plains Indian crafts, rare books and documents that are displayed throughout the site, including the 20-room main house and reception gallery. | | Photos provided by Sheridan, WY Travel amd Tourism www.sheridanwyoming.org | DEMOGRAPHICS OF RANCHESTER, WY | | Established: 1894 Elevation: 3,775 ft. Population in 2000: 701 County: Sheridan (Northern Wyoming) Zip Code: 82839 Local Area Code: 307 Time Zone: Mountain Land Area: .6 sq. miles Location: 44°54'30" North, 107°9'46" West (44.908347, -107.162876)GR1 Ancestries: German (28.4%), Irish (18.0%), English (12.6%), Norwegian (10.0%), Polish (4.9%), United States (4.1%). Hospitals/medical centers near Ranchester: • MEMORIAL HOSPITAL OF SHERIDAN COUNTY (about 16 miles; SHERIDAN, WY) • JOHNSON CO MEMORIAL HOSP (about 54 miles; BUFFALO, WY) • SOUTH BIG HORN COUNTY HOSPITAL-CAH (about 67 miles; GREYBULL, WY) Airports certified for carrier operations nearest to Ranchester: • SHERIDAN COUNTY (about 17 miles; SHERIDAN, WY; ID: SHR) • YELLOWSTONE REGIONAL AIRPORT (about 80 miles; CODY, WY; ID: COD) • WORLAND MUNI (about 86 miles; WORLAND, WY; ID: WRL) • BILLINGS LOGAN INTL (about 113 miles; BILLINGS, MT; ID: BIL) Other public-use airports nearest to Ranchester: • JOHNSON COUNTY (about 49 miles; BUFFALO, WY; ID: BYG) • FORT SMITH LANDING STRIP (about 60 miles; FORT SMITH, MT; ID: 5U7) • FAIRGROUNDS AIRPARK (about 64 miles; HARDIN, MT; ID: F02) Colleges/universities with over 2000 students nearest to Ranchester: • NORTHWEST COLLEGE - POWELL (about 100 miles; POWELL, WY) • MONTANA STATE UNIVERSITY-BILLINGS (about 108 miles; BILLINGS, MT; Full-time enrollment: 3,105) • CASPER COLLEGE (about 151 miles; CASPER, WY; FT enrollment: 2,564) • BLACK HILLS STATE UNIVERSITY (about 230 miles; SPEARFISH, SD; FT enrollment: 3,190) • UNIVERSITY OF WYOMING (about 239 miles; LARAMIE, WY; FT enrollment: 9,665) • MONTANA STATE UNIVERSITY-BOZEMAN (about 264 miles; BOZEMAN, MT; FT enrollment: 10,380) • SOUTH DAKOTA SCHOOL OF MINES AND TECHNOLOGY (about 279 miles; RAPID CITY, SD; FT enrollment: 2,002) • CHADRON STATE COLLEGE (about 322 miles; CHADRON, NE; FT enrollment: 2,144) Public primary/middle schools in Ranchester: • TONGUE RIVER ELEMENTARY (Students: 166; Location: 124 DAYTON ST.; Grades: KG - 05) • TONGUE RIVER MIDDLE SCHOOL (Students: 115; Location: 1251 DAYTON ST.; Grades: 06 - 08) |