LaGrange, Wyoming facts for kids
Quick facts for kids
LaGrange, Wyoming
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Location of LaGrange in Goshen County, Wyoming
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 LaGrange, Wyoming
Location in the United States
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| Country |  United States |
| State |  Wyoming |
| County |  Goshen |
| Area | |
| • Total | 0.39 sq mi (1.00 km2) |
| • Land | 0.39 sq mi (1.00 km2) |
| • Water | 0.00 sq mi (0.00 km2) |
| Elevation | 4,590 ft (1,399 m) |
| Population
(2020)
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| • Total | 372 |
| • Density | 961.2/sq mi (371.1/km2) |
| Time zone | UTC-7 (Mountain (MST)) |
| • Summer (DST) | UTC-6 (MDT) |
| ZIP code |
82221
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| Area code(s) | 307 |
| FIPS code | 56-43745 |
| GNIS feature ID | 1596848 |
LaGrange is a small town in Goshen County, Wyoming, United States. It's located in the western part of the country. In 2020, about 372 people lived there.
Contents
What is LaGrange, Wyoming Like?
LaGrange started as a gathering place along the old Texas cattle trail. It was named after Mr. Kale LaGrange, an early settler. The town is a meeting spot for people living near Horse Creek and Bear Creek.
Community Events in LaGrange
A popular event is the annual LaGrange Mini-Fair. It's a fun family event with a breakfast, parades, and a special rodeo for kids. There's also an evening show with country & western music.
Churches and Schools in LaGrange
LaGrange has two churches: LaGrange Holiness Chapel and LaGrange Bible Church. It's also home to the Frontier School of the Bible. This is a three-year college that teaches about 225 students each year.
Local Services and Clubs
The town has a volunteer fire department and a rescue team. There are also active American Legion and American Legion Auxiliary groups. These groups help with community projects. Other clubs include a Home-makers Extension Club and 4H clubs.
LaGrange's Location and Size
LaGrange is located at 41°38′18″N 104°9′52″W / 41.63833°N 104.16444°W. The town covers an area of about 0.39 square miles (1.0 square kilometer). All of this area is land.
How Many People Live in LaGrange?
| Historical population | |||
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| Census | Pop. | %± | |
| 1940 | 211 | — | |
| 1950 | 221 | 4.7% | |
| 1960 | 176 | −20.4% | |
| 1970 | 189 | 7.4% | |
| 1980 | 232 | 22.8% | |
| 1990 | 224 | −3.4% | |
| 2000 | 332 | 48.2% | |
| 2010 | 448 | 34.9% | |
| 2020 | 372 | −17.0% | |
| U.S. Decennial Census | |||
Population in 2010
In 2010, LaGrange had 448 people living in 115 households. Most residents were White (94.4%). About 7.1% of the population was Hispanic or Latino.
Many households (69.6%) were married couples living together. The average household had 2.55 people. The average family had 3.11 people.
The average age in LaGrange was 22.1 years old. A large number of residents (41.5%) were between 18 and 24 years old.
The History of LaGrange
LaGrange has a rich history, starting long ago.
Early Days and Settlers
In 1837, a special rule allowed land to be claimed just by planning a town. This is how LaGrange began. Early settlers and cattle herds used the land around the town. More people started moving to Wyoming after 1860, many of them claiming land through the Homestead Acts.
In 1889, a cowboy named S. J. Robb and a store owner, Nels Robertson, started a business. Kale LaGrange, who owned the Miskimins' Ranch, encouraged them to build their store where LaGrange is today. Robb managed the store and lived in a new home there.
Growing Businesses in LaGrange
Soon, more businesses opened in LaGrange. There was a large lumber yard and hardware store. An ice house with a dance hall above it was also built. The town had a frontier saloon and a newspaper called The LaGrange Index.
A cheese factory was started by Mr. Hendrickson, using milk from local settlers. There was also a large gristmill on Horse Creek. Farmers brought their wheat and corn to this mill to be made into flour and meal. The mill used a steam engine and was very busy for many years. A livery stable, where horses were kept, was also an important early business.
Challenges and Changes
Mr. Campbell was the first blacksmith in LaGrange. The cheese factory didn't make money and closed after two years. The Biggs and Brown store burned down, and Robb sold his business. The store burned down again after new owners took over.
For several years, LaGrange didn't have a store. Then, the LaGrange Mercantile Company opened a large store. It sold groceries, hardware, and even machinery. This store also burned down. The company then used an old school building for a while before selling to the Mercer Mercantile Company.
Post Office and Churches
In 1889, Robb also set up an official post office in LaGrange. It was part of Laramie County back then. The post office served about 500 people in the area. Many different people served as postmaster over the years.
In 1890, the first Sunday School was started. It brought people from all around. The town's first church, now called LaGrange Bible Church, was built in 1918. People raised money to build it. The Pilgrim Holiness Church was built in 1930.
Modern Improvements
A bank operated in LaGrange from 1917 to 1923. The first telephone line came to LaGrange in 1904. For many years, LaGrange had the only dial telephone system in Goshen County.
In 1920, LaGrange opened its first cemetery. It was later moved to a hill east of town in 1928. Many evergreen trees were planted there, which can be seen from far away.
The Railroad and Growth
The Union Pacific Railroad brought big changes to LaGrange. Construction of a new railway began in 1927. It was finished by Labor Day in 1928. Five thousand people gathered to celebrate this big event.
During the railway construction, LaGrange grew quickly. Many new businesses opened, like grocery stores, hardware stores, and a bakery. A town depot, stockyards, and a light plant were also built in 1928. The depot was later closed and taken down in the 1970s.
In 1934, an airport was built east of LaGrange. The same year, an oiled road was built through town. This road connected the state line to Highway 85.
Becoming an Official Town
On May 20, 1938, LaGrange officially became an incorporated town. Cliff Noyes was elected as the first mayor.
Education in LaGrange's History
The first school house in LaGrange was a simple one-room building. Teachers taught the three R's (reading, writing, and arithmetic). The school year was about six months long. LaGrange had the first combined school in the county, which was considered very good. A new gym was built in 1951. Later, more rooms were added for kindergarten through sixth grade.
In 1967, the Frontier School of the Bible was founded with just twelve students. The school grew a lot over the years. It bought and remodeled many buildings in town to create classrooms, a dining hall, and dormitories. This changed the town's look quite a bit. The school offers three-year courses for students interested in ministry and Christian education. Students come from all over the country.
LaGrange in Pop Culture
In 2022, a YouTuber called Crazed Fisherman made a parody music video of Taylor Swift's song “Welcome to New York”. This video brought many tourists to LaGrange. Visitors said they felt very safe in the town.
Education in LaGrange
Public education in LaGrange is managed by Goshen County School District Number 1.
The first school in LaGrange was a single room with four windows. Teachers like Martha Thomas and Bessie Burke taught the basics. The school year was usually six months long. LaGrange was proud to have the first combined school in the county. A new gym was built in 1951, and later, more classrooms were added for younger students.
The Frontier School of the Bible was started in 1967. It's a bible college that has grown a lot since then. The school bought and changed many buildings in town to create classrooms, a dining hall, and places for students to live. Students from all over the country come here for three-year courses. Classes run from mid-August to mid-May.
Highways in LaGrange
U.S. Highway 85
WYO 151
In Spanish: La Grange (Wyoming) para niños
