| Shoshoni is named in honor of the Shoshone Indian tribe, whose reservation extends eastward from the crest of the continental divide to within one mile of the town limits. Many battles were fought with the Shoshone, as the Shoshone warred to oust the invaders and save their heritage. Many tribes contested with the Shoshone for its possession, but, under the strong leadership of Chief Washakie, their ancestral home was preserved. In 1906, Shoshoni was an infant and was experiencing a great boom with all lots in the original town site sold, and buildings springing up right and left. Shoshoni was a fine, fairly nice sized town in its early days. But business depression hung over the place like a vulture, and destructive fires eventually wiped out many of the business buildings. The town has had no support except from surrounding sheep men. (WPA) Shoshoni, Fremont County, Wyoming was laid out in 1905 by the Pioneer Town Site Company. It was named from the Shoshone Indian tribe (Snakes), from their reservation and the Shoshone Mountains. The Shoshone tribe had its early home in Idaho and Oregon and the great central basin of the continent. The original meaning and derivation of the name is in doubt. (Stennett, 1908) |
