Sheep were introduced to Wyoming in the 1850's near Fort Bridger, about 180 miles west of Fort Steele. By 1880 the number had grown to over 350,000 head ranging primarily along the route of the Union Pacific Railroad. The Cosgriff Brothers owned one of the largest sheep ranching operations in Wyoming at that time, and they established herds in the Fort Steele area in 1881. After the fort was decommissioned they acquired many of the buildings and in 1903 constructed one of the largest sheep shearing plants in Wyoming. In 1905 over 800,000 pounds of wool was shipped to Boston, the single largest shipment of wool ever sent out of Wyoming.
L.E. Vivian, owner of the Leo Sheep Company, purchased most of the Cosgriff land holdings including the land at Fort Fred Steele in 1915. The house, lean-to, and shed in this area are the remains of a sheepherders' community.

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Show me all markers in:  Sinclair, WY  |  Carbon County  |  82334  |  Wyoming  |  United States of America

Ranching
Sheep Industry
Sheep Ranching
Bridge Tender's House
Railroad and River
Brownsville and Benton
Carbon Timber Company
A Well Traveled Sawmill
Town of Ft. Steele
A Tourist's Railroad

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