An
historic ranching town nestled beneath the eastern flank
of the Rockies -- the Big Horn range -- in northeastern
Wyoming, Sheridan played a large part in the terrible
Indian wars of the great plains, as Crazy Horse and his
Indian warriors clashed with army troops. Two of the most
ferocious battles were fought near Sheridan: the Wagon
Box Fight, and the Fetterman Fight.
The
community was established when two trappers built a cabin
beside Little Goose Creek in 1873. It became a hub for
ranchers, miners and railroad workers. During the latter
part of the 1800s, English "remittance men" came to the
area and established a flourishing cattle ranching
industry and, as a result, the town has a distinct
English atmosphere.
What
to See & Do
The
town is situated on Interstate 90, 25 miles south of the
Wyoming / Montana border. All of the Big Horn
recreational opportunities can be experienced by taking
day trips from Sheridan over either route. In the winter,
the Big Horn Mountains offer snowmobiling and
cross-country skiing along forest roads.
There
are several places to sample the history of the Sheridan
area. The Trail's End Museum, finished in superb
carved woodwork, is the former home of cattle baron (and
Wyoming governor and senator) John B. Kendrick.
The
prime visitor attraction in this region is the Little
Bighorn Battlefield National Monument. This is where
General Custer and his soldiers met more than their match
when they fought the Battle of Little Bighorn against the
combined warriors of the Lakota (Sioux), Cheyenne, and
Arapahoe. Operated by the National Park Service, the
battlefield is alway a meaningful place to visit, but in
June, a reenactment of the battle is held with Crow and
Lakota in full battle dress. At any time, you can tour
the battlefield, and take a drive through the Crow
Reservation. For information on the battlefield, call
(406) 638-2621. The reservation,holds the annual Crow
Fair and Rodeo each August.
The
Bradford Brinton Memorial Ranch is the preserved
reminder of the days of the remittance men who settled
the area and the ranches they developed. Fort Phil
Kearney, south of town via Interstate 90 and Hwy. 87, is
the site of the army fort which had the bloodiest times
of any army establishment during the settling of the
West. It was besieged by Chief Red Cloud on many
occasions, in the struggle to protect the Bozeman Trail.
The site is open year-round from dawn to dusk. During
summer months, the fort's visitor center and State Museum
are open to the public. 11 miles north of Sheridan
Just
south of Ranchester, Connor Battlefield is a
reminder of the famous Tongue River Battle, in which
General Patrick Connor and 400 troops of the Powder River
Expedition surprised the Cheyenne and Arapaho villages of
Black Bear and Old Devil. The troops killed 63 Indians
and captured 1,000 Indian ponies.
Bighorn
Canyon National Reservation Area is off U.S. Highway
14A, near Lovell, Wyoming, Lovel i reached from Sheridan
by driving north to Ranchester, and then heading west on
Hwy 14 and 14A, through the Big Horn Mountains (a superb
drive). The recreation area features camping and water
sports on 71-mile long Bighorn Lake.
Where
to Eat
Sanford's
Grub, Pub & Brewery, at Alger Avenue and Main
Street serves more than 100 brews, including several
brewed on the premises. Sanford's serves a wide range of
dishes, from standard pub food to steaks, pasta, and
more.
Ciao
Bistro, at 120 North Main Street, has gourmet coffee
and light food.
The
Historic Sheridan Inn has a restaurant and saloon
in an 1893 building -- on the National Histioric
Register. The menu includes steaks (not unusual for
Wyoming), a wonderful burger. The saloon here is
stmospheric, and thi is a fine place to eat and
drink.
