Bill, Wyoming facts for kids
Quick facts for kids
Bill, Wyoming
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 Bill, Wyoming
Location in Wyoming
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| Country | United States |
| State | Wyoming |
| County | Converse |
| Time zone | UTC-7 (Mountain (MST)) |
| • Summer (DST) | UTC-6 (MDT) |
| ZIP codes |
82631
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Bill is a very small, unincorporated community in Converse County, Wyoming, United States. It's located inside the southern part of the Thunder Basin National Grassland. An "unincorporated community" means it's not officially a town or city with its own local government.
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Contents
The History of Bill, Wyoming
The story of Bill is quite interesting! People say it started shortly after World War I. A doctor moved to the area. His wife decided to call the place "Bill" because so many men living there had that name.
Soon, Bill had a post office. There was also a small store that sold sandwiches to truck drivers. A country school served children from nearby ranches. The store owner even created the "Bill Yacht Club." This club was a joke because there were no boats or water! But it sold hats and T-shirts to tourists who enjoyed the humor.
After World War II, fewer people lived in Bill. By the 1970s, only the small store and a house were left. Then, in the early 1980s, the Union Pacific Railroad changed things. Their train tracks ran past Bill. They decided to build a stop there for train crews to rest and change shifts.
The railroad built a small rail yard. After this, Bill started to grow again. Its population more than doubled in just two years. It went from 5 people (including pets) to 11 people!
By 2008, Bill had grown even more. It included a 112-room hotel and a diner that was open 24 hours a day. These places were open to everyone, but they mainly served railroad workers. The post office and elementary school were also brought back. A community center was opened too. The hotel is a crew-change station for railroad employees. These employees work on the coal line that runs south from Wyoming's Powder River Basin coal mines. Train conductors and engineers must stop in Bill for their required rest breaks.
What is the Climate Like in Bill?
Bill has a semi-arid climate. This means it's usually dry, but not a desert. It gets some rain, but not a lot. On climate maps, this type of weather is called "BSk."
Learning and Roads
Schools in Bill
- Dry Creek Elementary School
Major Roads Near Bill
WYO 59
Wyoming State Highway 59 is a road that goes north and south through Bill. It also passes through the Thunder Basin National Grassland. Interstate 25 meets with WY-59 about 35 miles south of Bill, near the town of Douglas.
