Jay Em, Wyoming facts for kids
Quick facts for kids
Jay Em, Wyoming
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 Jay Em, Wyoming
Location in Wyoming
Jay Em, Wyoming
Location in the United States
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| Country |  United States |
| State |  Wyoming |
| County |  Goshen |
| Elevation | 4,590 ft (1,400 m) |
| Time zone | UTC-7 (Mountain (MST)) |
| • Summer (DST) | UTC-6 (MDT) |
| ZIP codes |
82219
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| GNIS feature ID | 1590066 |
Jay Em is a small, unincorporated community in northern Goshen County, Wyoming, in the United States. It is located near the start of the Rawhide Creek. This area was once part of the historic Texas Trail.
You can find Jay Em along U.S. Route 85. It's about 35 miles north of Torrington, which is the main city in Goshen County. Jay Em sits at an elevation of 4,590 feet (1,399 meters) above sea level. Even though it's a small community, Jay Em has its own post office with the ZIP code 82219.
Contents
History of Jay Em
The area where Jay Em is located was once a very important watering hole. This spot was used by cowboys and cattle on the old Texas Trail. In the 1860s, a rancher named Jim Moore claimed the land around this watering hole.
By 1869, Jim Moore had one of the biggest cattle ranches in the Wyoming Territory. His ranch used a special brand for its cattle, called "J Rolling M." This brand is where the community and a nearby creek, "Jay Em Creek," got their names.
Growth of the Community
The town of Jay Em was officially started between 1912 and 1915 by Lake Harris. It was created to support the many ranchers living in the area. By 1915, a post office was opened in Jay Em.
For a few years, the town even had its own weekly newspaper. It was called the Jay Em Sentinel and Fort Laramie News. This newspaper was published from 1917 to 1921. Jay Em became a busy place with several businesses. These included a lumber yard, a general store, and the Jay Em Stone Company. This company made gravestones and building materials from stone found nearby.
Changes Over Time
By the 1930s, more people started using cars for travel. This change caused the town of Jay Em to begin shrinking. Starting in the 1980s, most of the remaining residents moved to newer homes. This left the old, historic center of town mostly empty.
In August 2017, Jay Em became a popular spot for a special event. Thousands of visitors came to the town to watch the Solar eclipse of August 21, 2017. It was a great place to see the sun completely covered by the moon!
Jay Em Historic District
The original center of Jay Em is very special. It is now part of the Jay Em Historic District. This district is officially listed on the National Register of Historic Places. This means it's an important historical site that is protected.
Education in Jay Em
Children living in the Jay Em community attend public schools. These schools are part of the Goshen County School District #1.
Main Highway
U.S. Highway 85 is the main road that passes through Jay Em.
