A series where we take a #lookback at the stories and history of our community, brought to you by Mick Pryor, Financial Advisor with Edward Jones.
Buildings come and go around the town of Lander, Wyoming, much as they do elsewhere in the state. We are taking a look back at some of the buildings that were once common sites around the town.
Lander does have an armory for the Wyoming National Guard currently, but it once was within the original town site of Lander. In the early 1900’s, a militia was prevalent in town, known as Company ‘B’ N.G.W. (National Guard Wyoming) and they kept their armory in various buildings around town, first at Coalter Hall and then at Woodruff Hall. In 1906, the armory gave notice that they were to build a new building of their own, and one they would turn over to the city in the event that the militia were to disband.
An incorporation, or company, was announced in December of 1906 and by early next year, the Lander Armory Company was incorporated and officers were elected, as well as stock sold in order to raise funds to meet the building costs. Captain O.K. Nickerson was made president, Lieutenant Will Reed was vice-president, O. L. Knifong was secretary, and Park C. Hays was treasurer. From the start, they wanted a building that would both house the armory for Company B, and hold an auditorium and rooms for use by the public. Initial estimates tried to say that the building would cost around $10,000 to complete using some funding from the state and the rest to be raised by townspeople buying stock in the company. Noticeably, erection of the walls and the majority of the building did not begin until 1908, newspapers noting delays and trouble with fundraising amongst the notion that costs were going to far exceed the original estimates.
But by the Fourth of July, 1909, it was completed enough to hold some festivities there. The Wyoming State Journal on August 6, 1909 states that the official opening will be September 22, 1909, with a traveling performance group scheduled to give a play with local lady Edith Nickerson, daughter of Captain H. G. Nickerson, making her first appearance as the leading lady. Over the years many various groups utilized the armory, for example dances, basketball games, county fairs, and political conventions. Improvements to the armory building were made continually over the years, with contractors coming in to fix up walls, add on bathrooms and plumbing, or improve the heating system.
The Lander Armory Company had struggles of its own, and by 1915 their mortgage was foreclosed on and the state took over ownership, though not without townspeople of Lander attempting to get the city to buy the mortgage so that it could remain a public use hall. It remained a space that was used for the public however, with classes for school children even occurring in 1919. Funerals for well known members of the community were held there, and the state governors made appearances there as well.
But by the mid 1960’s, it was apparent that the National Guard needed a new building. A new one was built in 1975, and after they moved into their new facilities, different groups were vying to be granted the use of the old Armory building. The newly formed ‘Poposia Senior Citizens Center’ requested the use of the building, as they were using space in the basement of the Methodist church to hold senior events at the time. The state passed onto the city of Lander the old armory building on May 15, 1975, and by June 30 of the same year the seniors had moved into the building, creating the Senior Citizen Center there.
By the mid 1990’s, the Senior Citizen Center had outgrown their current location, and a new facility was built to house them. The city of Lander then had to make a decision on what to do with the old armory building, which was in need of many repairs to bring it up to code. Some people in town wished to see a youth center or a museum put inside, but ultimately the city council decided to sell it through a bidding process as it was in a condemnable state. A bid was received and accepted by the city council, and Hallam, Inc. won the bid and paid $20,000 for the property in April of 1996 and had the building demolished on May 18, 1996. Today, it is mostly an empty lot, across from the old car dealership that is now owned by NOLS.
The faces and buildings of Lander may change over the years, but we can always look back to see what has come and gone.
Author Hailey Redden Pioneer Museum
Next up for the Fremont County Museum
March 21, 6pm at the Dubois Museum, “Circle Up Along the Wind River” Wyoming Community Bank Discovery Speakers Series
March 29, 1-3pm at the Pioneer Museum, “Celebrating Women’s History Month” Wyoming Community Bank Discovery Speakers Series
April 19, 1-3pm at the Pioneer Museum, “Sheep Shearing Day” Bailey Tire/Pit Stop Children’s Exploration Series
April 26, 9-2 with the Pioneer Museum, “Garden Expo Craft Booth” Bailey Tire/Pit Stop Children’s Exploration Series
May 22, 7pm at the Pioneer Museum, “Lander 1925” Wyoming Community Bank Discovery Speakers Series
May 24, 1-3pm at the Pioneer Museum, “Being a Pioneer Kid” Bailey Tire/Pit Stop Children’s Exploration Series
May 24, 10am at the Pioneer Museum, “Lander Main Street Trek” Wind River Visitors Council Adventure Trek Series
May 31, 11am at the Riverton Museum, “Horned Owl Draper Raptor Experience” Bailey Tire/Pit Stop Children’s Exploration Series
Call the Dubois Museum 1-307-455-2284, the Pioneer Museum 1-307-332-3339 or the Riverton Museum 1-307-856-2665 for detail regarding their programs.
The Dubois Museum, the Pioneer Museum in Lander and the Riverton Museum need your financial support. In the current economic environment, the museums are more reliant than ever on donations from the private sector to continue to provide the quality programs, collections management, exhibits and services that have become their hallmark over the last four years. Please make your tax deductible contribution to be used specifically for the benefit of the museum of your choosing by sending a check to Fremont County Museums 450 N 2nd Rm 320 or taking it directly to the museum you choose to support.