Empire, Wyoming facts for kids
Empire Wyoming was a special community in Goshen County, Wyoming, close to the Nebraska state border. It was a place where African American families built a new life between 1908 and 1920.
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What Was Empire Wyoming?
Empire Wyoming was a small, self-sufficient community created by African American families. These families moved to Wyoming looking for new chances and a place to call their own. They wanted to build a future away from some of the difficulties they faced in other areas.
A New Home in Wyoming
The community of Empire Wyoming was started in 1908. The families who founded it came from Custer County, Nebraska. They traveled to Wyoming to settle on new land and create a fresh start. Building a community from scratch in a new territory was a big adventure and a lot of hard work!
The Post Office Story
As the community grew, people wanted to make it more official and connected to the outside world. On December 29, 1915, a person named Russel Taylor applied to set up a post office for Empire Wyoming. A post office was very important because it allowed people to send and receive letters, which was the main way to communicate over long distances back then. It also showed that the community was becoming a recognized place.
Why Did Empire Wyoming End?
Empire Wyoming existed for about 12 years, from 1908 to 1920. Many small communities like this faced challenges, such as tough farming conditions, economic changes, or people moving to bigger towns for more opportunities. While the exact reasons for Empire Wyoming's end are not detailed, it was a common story for many frontier settlements that did not grow into larger towns. Even though it was short-lived, Empire Wyoming represents an important part of history where people worked hard to build a new life and community.
