Located near Meeteetse Creek. An early frontier town with a saloon, store, post office and hotel, known as "Tough Joint". The town was named for Vic Arland who had been in the cattle business in 1880 and 1881, and sensed the need for a town for supplies for the ranchers. Arland was credited with being the first of the frontier towns to be established in the Big Horn Basin. It was the place where ranchers could buy supplies and cowboys could find an evening of mild amusement. Killings in the saloon and dance hall were common place. Hold-ups were another of Arland's hazards. As a direct result of a hold up, Vic Arland met his death. Alone one night in his saloon, Arland was held up and escaped being killed only by a ruse on his part. He managed to recognize the bandit however, and some time later Vic Arland killed the man. Not long afterward Vic Arland went to Billings on business, and while sitting in a room, was shot and killed. Arland ceased to exist in 1896 and the buildings were moved to Meeteetse. (WPA) Early town on Meeteetse Creek named for Vic Arland, cattleman. Town buildings were moved to Meeteetse in 1896. (Annals of Wyoming 14:3)
County:
Park
Feature Category:
Manmade Features
More Reading:
"The Story of Arland." Casper Star Tribune, October 30, 2009, Part D, Page 1.
