495 Main St.

Torrington, WY  82240

Phone: (307) 532-5612

Admission: Donation ~ Open year round

September to May: Monday-Friday, 9:30 a.m. - 4 p.m. 

June 1 to August 31 : Monday, Tuesday, Wednesday: 9:30 a.m. to 4 p.m.; Thursday-Friday 9:30 a.m. - 6 p.m.

Saturday noon-5 p.m.

Located one mile north of the historic Oregon Trail in the old Union Pacific Depot built in 1925.

Here one can experience "homestead life" as was lived on the barren prairies of Southeastern Wyoming in Goshen County. Many folks came ... many stayed ... many left broken and beaten by the elements and conditions.

 Homesteaders Museum is located at the crossroads of world famous trails: Oregen Trail, Mormon Trail, Cheyenne to Deadwood Stage Routes, Fort Laramie Trail and Texas Cattle Trail. From the Homesteaders Museum, one is a short driving distance from Historic Old Fort Laramie, Grattan Massacre Site, Bear Creek, Hell's Gap and other archeological dig sites ... all in Goshen County.

Visit the 12 ft. 7 inch by 12 ft. 8 inch Trout Homestead Shack built in 1910 by Ben Trout. For 12 years a family of five occupied the shack, located north of present day Hawk Springs Reservoir in southern Goshen County.

Enjoy the saddles and rodeo memorabilia of Carl Sawyer. See the F.A. Meanea Saddle of Odessa Dearing and Eunice Cameron Everling. Also see the veterinary medical equipment of "Doc" Fuller, early homestead veterinarian.

Visit the Union Pacific Caboose Gallery of railroad photographs and railroad memorabilia. Union Pacific and Burlington Northern items are on display. Both railroads run through Goshen County and Torrington, Wyoming. 

See the Knowlton Family's International Harvester Auto-Buggy brought to Goshen County in 1908. This was the first car in the area at that time. "Wil" Knowlton, first elected county assessor, used the car to travel the new county (1913) as he assessed homesteaders in the area. The car was acclaimed the best "hill climber" of its time.

 Enjoy fashions and costumes from the late 1890s through 1945. See how style changes in women's clothes foretold the changes in social and political issues of the period.

 Experience the Homesteaders Museum Building ... it is truly a show piece in itself. The Union Pacific Depot was built in 1925 and opened its doors to both passengers and freight service to the world at that time. It is one of two "Spanish" style depots remaining in the North Platte Valley.

 Browse the Merrill and Marie Potter Collection of early Plains Indians arrowheads, knives, scrapers, drill, hammerheads and more. Approximately 11,000 plus pieces collected when walking the plains of Goshen, Platte and Niobrara counties. 

Visit the Yoder  Family Memorial Home. See hundreds of items from the old 4A Ranch (Yoder, Wyoming) established in 1882 by Phillip and Cinderella Yoder and their seven children. This ranch was located on Bear Creek, west of the LaGrange, Wyoming, town site. The Yoder children were involved in ranching, banking, politics and rodeo. This home is dedicated to the memory of the life of Oscar and Vivian (Lang), Yoder, Wyoming, ... true pioneers of Eastern Wyoming.

 Experience country schooling at its best. Visit the Midway School House built in 1928 and closed in 1949. This building is one of the last of its kind remaining in Goshen County. Built by Mr. Vaughn of the Prairie Center Community.