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    Star Valley Quick Facts

    Lincoln County, Wyoming

    Lincoln County, Wyoming is a huge county, with a wide array of topography, stretching from Kemmerer and Diamondville in the east to Alpine in the west. Named for President Abraham Lincoln, when it was created in 1911, it was organized in 1913. In 1921, portions of the county were annexed to form Sublette and Teton counties. orders on the west by UT and Idaho. Kemmerer, its county seat has historically been a major producer of coal and underground drilling, but is poised to house a nuclear power plant in the future. Kemmerer was the site of J.C. Penney’s mother store, which spawned a national network of department stores.

    Attractions include Fossil Butte Monument, an important archeological site between Cokeville and Kemmerer; Pine Creek Ski Resort near Cokeville; and the Star Valley in the west. Each area has an incredible array of fascinating history and local lore. We invite you to explore along Hwy 89 to discover this amazing piece of America. Wyoming- it’s what America Used to Be!

    Afton, WY

    • Settled: 1879- By Mormon settlers
    • Origin of Name: William Bedge, an official of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints gazed at Swift Creek and remarked that poet Burns could have sung, “Flow gently, sweet Afton,” while looking at the stream. His companions decided to call the settlement Afton
    • Location: on Hwy 89
    • Notable Features: Afton, largest commercial center in Star Valley, is home to the world’s largest arch made of elk antlers, spanning 75 feet across the four lane Hwy 89. The arch contains 3,011 elk antlers and weighs 15 tons. Post Office, Town Hall, Cemetery, Fire Department; LDS Church; county and private schools, Propane, Eating & Convenience Stores
    • Local Celebrations: Pioneer Days on July 24th,
    • Well Known Natives:
    • 2020 Census Population: 2,172

    Alpine, WY

    • Settled: 1900
    • Origin of Name: Named for the area’s alpine beauty
    • Notable Features: Located at the convergence of Grays River, Salt River and the Snake River, Alpine Junction marks the beginning of Palisades Reservoir; half of its streets are in Wyoming, the other half in Idaho; Hwys 26 and 89 split there, with 89 continuing 36 miles to Jackson Hole; Post Office, Town Hall, Cemetery, Fire Department; LDS Church; Propane, Health Clinic; Eating & Convenience Stores; rafting on Snake River begins at Alpine; close to hunting, fishing, snowmobiling areas; Robert Stuart’s party camped in the area in fall of 1812
    • Local Celebrations:
    • Well Known Natives:
    • Location: 32.7 miles (37 miles) north of Afton on Hwy 89
    • 2020 Census Population: 1,222, up from 825 in 2010

    Auburn, WY

    • Settled: Originally settled in 1879, the 2nd Mormon settlement in Star Valley, but soon abandoned.
    • Origin of Name:When the settlement was revived a few years later, a Mormon woman suggested naming it Auburn.
    • Notable Features: Post Office, 3 Cemeteries, restored historic rock pioneer church & community meeting hall, listed on national Register; Original historic play is performed each summer
    • Local Celebrations:
    • Well Known Natives:
    • Location: on Hwy 89
    • 2020 Census Population: 375, up from 276 in 2000

    Bedford, WY

    • Settled: This sheltered farming area was settled in 1880s- By Mormon settlers
    • Origin of Name: Named by Mormon Bishop Preston, after his former residence in Bedford, England
    • Notable Features: Formerly had Post Office 1898-1966, Town Hall, Cemetery; pamphlet, listing 26 historic homes & sites in Bedford and Turnerville is available at Star Valley Historic Society
    • Local Celebrations:
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    • Location: 15.3 miles (21 minutes) north of Afton on Hwy 89, then east on Hwy 238 N
    • 2020 Census Population: 465

    Etna, WY

    • Settled: 1885, by mostly-European Mormon settlers, originally from Utah
    • Origin of Name: Early Mormon Bishop, Carl Cook, met with a group to choose a town name, reading from an insurance book. When he came to the name “Etna,” they decided on it since it was short and easy to spell
    • Notable Features: Post office/general store, cemetery, elementary school, LDS church, 2 Protestant churches, eating & convenience stores
    • Local Celebrations:
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    • Location: 26 miles (32 minutes) north of Afton on Hwy 89
    • 2020 Census Population: 185- up from 123 in 2000

    Fairview, WY

    • Settled: First settled in 1885; in 1859, a small group from Mt. Pleasant, Utah laid out the townsite called North Bend; in 1860, LDS Apostle Orson Hyde organized the settlement
    • Origin of Name: Named by Mormon Apostle, Heber J. Grant for the fair view it gives of Crow Creek Valley
    • Notable Features: Once a freighters stop for caravans of wagons, Post Office, established in 1889, town hall, cemetery with Wagon Box grave, its first grave and monument to early explorer, Father DeSmet, LDS church, pioneer museum captive geyser
    • Local Celebrations:
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    • Location: on Hwy 89 2020
    • Census Population: 277

    Freedom, WY / ID

    • Settled: Oldest settlement in Star Valley, settled June, 1879 by polygamous Mormon settlers from St. Charles, Idaho, resettling to escape prosecution under Edmunds- Tucker Act, of 1887, which criminalized multiple marriage
    • Origin of Name: Named for the freedom enjoyed by the settlers as they evaded the harassment of federal authorities in Idaho
    • Notable Features: Post Office, town hall, cemetery, Fire Department; LDS Church; lumber store, fireworks vendor
    • Local Celebrations:
    • Well Known Natives:
    • Location:20.8 miles (25 minutes) north of Afton on Hwy 89
    • 2020 Census Population: 247- up from 186 in 2022

    Grover, WY

    • Settled: About 1879, early settlers began cutting ties for the railroad out of what was yet to be called Grover and Jensen canyons. In 1885, the first family arrived, John C. Phillips and his wife, Almyra
    • Origin of Name: Named after Grover Cleveland, 22nd and 24th President of the United States
    • Notable Features: Post Office, established in 1889, town hall, cemetery; LDS Church, Jehovah’s Witness Church; first state experimental farm of University of Wyoming was established in Grover
    • Local Celebrations:
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    • Location: 4.9 miles (8 minutes) north of Afton on Hwy 89
    • 2022 Population: 1,279- up from 481 in 2020

    Nordic, WY

    • Settled: 18??- By Mormon settlers led by
    • Origin of Name:
    • Notable Features: Post Office, Town Hall, Cemetery, Fire Department; LDS Church; Propane, Eating & Convenience Stores
    • Local Celebrations:
    • Well Known Natives:
    • Location: 27 miles (32 minutes north of Afton on Hwy 89, then E on 238 S
    • 2020 Census Population: 132

    Smoot, WY

    • Settled: 1886
    • Original Name: Cottonwood, then Belview, finally Smoot
    • Origin of Name: Named after Utah Senator, Reed Smoot
    • Notable Features: Post office, town hall, cemetery, LDS Church; Cottonwood Reservoir constructed for irrigation, later becoming a recreational area
    • Location: 7.9 miles (9 minutes) south of Afton on Hwy 89
    • Local Celebrations:

    Star Valley Ranch, WY

    • Established: Nov. 5. 2005
    • Origin of Name: Original ranch named by Harold Stewart
    • Notable Features: post office, town hall, eating & convenience stores, realty office, RV office
    • Star Valley Ranch RV Resort: Established in 1970, by Harold Stewart purchased 5 adjacent ranches to establish his vision for a large, affordable retirement area
    • Location: 22.1 miles (29 minutes) north of Afton on Hwy 89
    • 2023 Census Population: 2,042- up from 1,866 in 2010, figures do not include Star Valley Ranch RV Park

    Thayne, WY

    • Settled: Established in 1889 by Mormon settlers
    • Origin of Name: Named after Henry Thayne, first postmaster and merchant
    • Notable Features: Once home to the world’s largest cheese factory, which once manufactured three million pounds of cheese per year, but is now closed and building demolished. Post office, City Offices, accommodations, cemetery, library, fire department; LDS Church; shopping, eating & convenience stores
    • Local Celebrations:
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    • Location: 14.7 miles (17 minutes) north of Afton on Hwy 89
    • 2020 Census Population: 380, up from 366 in 2010

    Turnerville, WY

    • Settled: First settled Sept. 1890 by the William S. Turner family
    • Origin of Name: Named after its first settler, William S. Turner, who moved there with his wife, 4 sons and 2 daughters
    • Notable Features: Once had a post office, has cemetery; pamphlet, listing 26 historic homes & sites in Bedford and Turnerville is available at Star Valley Historic Society
    • Local Celebrations:
    • Well Known Natives:
    • Location: 11.3 miles (23 minutes) north of Afton on Hwy 89, then east on Forest Rd. 10081
    • 2022 Population: 328- up from 135 in 2021 and 192 at the 2010 census