Between Casper and Shoshoni off Natrona Country Road 104, you'll find the town of Arminto. At one time, it was home to the largest sheep shipping operation in the world.

In the early 20th century, there were an estimated 6 million sheep in the Cowboy State, nearly 50 sheep for every man, woman, and child. Many of them ended up at the stockyards in Arminto, where they were herded onto trains and shipped across the country. By 1910, the wool production in Wyoming topped $30 million.

Unfortunately, it didn't last. Conflicts arose with cattle ranchers over grazing rights and the industry gradually declined. By World War II, there were fewer than 4 million sheep in the state. By 1984, the number of sheep dropped below 1 million. According to current estimates, there are now less than 300,000 sheep in Wyoming.

These days, Arminto is a ghost town. The post office closed in 1964. All that remains is one house and an old gas pump. In the 2000 census, Arminto had a population of 5.

 

 

 

More From Laramie Live