Lander

History

Lander was previously known as Pushroot, Old Camp Brown a transcontinental explorer who surveyed the Oregon Trail's Lander Cutoff. With the arrival of the railroad, Lander's population more than doubled between 1900 and 1910. At the turn of the century the town and surrounding valley were promising places for agricultural development due to the area's climate and potential for irrigation. At the time there were several new ventures around the town producing wool, wheat, oats, alfalfa, hay, vegetables, small fruit and in some cases orchards. However, a report from the State of Wyoming published in 1907 says agriculture around Lander only supplies local demand. In 1962 U.S. Steel opened the Atlantic City iron ore and mill, south of Lander near Atlantic City The mine was a significant employer in Lander, but by 1983 it ceased operations. Lander continues to evolve and faces similar issues as many small towns in the Western United States. Education and outdoor recreation play a large role in the town's economy with the Wyoming Catholic College and National Outdoor Leadership School both based in Lander. Though agriculture and resource extraction no longer play a large role in the town's economy, its population has continued to grow since the year 2000.

Geography

According to the United States Census Bureau, the city has a total area of , all land. Sinks Canyon in the Wind River Range is close to Lander. Elk migrate out of the Wind River Range into the lowlands near Lander, arriving in early winter and frequently staying at least through calving season in the spring. The town is located in the Wind River Basin. According to the Köppen Climate Classification system, Lander has a warm-summer humid continental climate, abbreviated "Dfb" on climate maps. The hottest temperature recorded in Lander was on July 27, 1935, while the coldest temperature recorded was on December 19, 1924, and February 8, 1936.

Race & ethnicity

Largest nearby schools

• Lander Valley High School
  High · Lander · 599 students · 16.2:1 ratio
• Gannett Peak Elementary
  Elementary · Lander · 430 students · 10:1 ratio
• Lander Middle School
  Middle · Lander · 406 students · 13.1:1 ratio
• Baldwin Creek Elementary
  Elementary · Lander · 237 students · 10.3:1 ratio
• Pathfinder High School
  High · Lander · 51 students · 10.2:1 ratio