Shoshoni

History

The town is named for the Shoshone Indian tribe, most of whom live on the nearby Wind River Indian Reservation. Established as a railroad and mining town, Shoshoni lies at the intersection of U.S. Routes 20 and 26, which together were formerly known as the "Yellowstone Highway". Shoshoni has a dramatic increase in visitors in the summer, when roads to Yellowstone National Park are open. Visitors also stop to camp and fish at nearby Boysen Reservoir and the surrounding Boysen State Park. Anglers participate in fishing derbies at the reservoir, including an ice fishing derby in the winter. Ranching is, and has been for decades, the major agricultural endeavor in the nearby area. Charles Henry King, a prominent millionaire businessman and banker later based in Omaha, Nebraska, built the C.H. King Company and First Union Bank Building, formerly occupied by Yellowstone Drug Store. The building is listed on the National Register of Historic Places. King and his wife Martha were the paternal grandparents of President Gerald Ford, who was born in their Omaha house in July 1913. In 2004 a water-intensive mushroom processing plant began operation on land that was annexed by the town and put within its limits. At first it was staffed by prison labor, who were paid minimum wage, in a prison industries program. When they had trouble with production, the plant hired skilled labor from Guatemala. This labor practice stopped when a Department of Homeland Security investigation revealed that some of the workers had problems with their immigration histories. More recently, the plant has ensured all migrant workers are legal. During operations, the plant's composting bunkers emitted unpleasant odors, resulting in numerous complaints from residents during 2005. The Wyoming Department…

Geography

According to the United States Census Bureau, the town has a total area of , all land. According to the Köppen Climate Classification system, Shoshoni has a cold desert climate, abbreviated "BWk" on climate maps. The hottest temperature recorded in Shoshoni was on July 16, 1935, and July 10, 1939, while the coldest temperature recorded was on January 5, 1942. |source 2 = National Weather Service (mean maxima and minima 2006–2020) }}

Race & ethnicity

Largest nearby schools

• Shoshoni Elementary
  Elementary · Shoshoni · 198 students · 9.9:1 ratio
• Shoshoni High School
  High · Shoshoni · 116 students · 9.7:1 ratio
• Shoshoni Junior High School
  Middle · Shoshoni · 70 students · 14:1 ratio