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.
“The name ‘Riverton, Wyoming’ was carried in more daily and weekly publications, magazines, etc., during the past week than any ordinary town anywhere in the United States…”
In 1932, Riverton found itself in the nation’s newspapers over the actions of its Lions Club. During this time, the Great Depression had gripped the United States. Banks had closed, jobs were scarce, and the federal government was looking for ways to boost the economy and provide relief. New Deal programs like the Works Progress Administration (WPA), Civilian Conservation Corps (CCC), and the Agricultural Adjustment Act (AAA) would not go into effect for another year, three years in the case of the WPA.
Politicians in Washington had varying ideas about how to help the nation in a time of economic crisis. Democrats tended to be in favor of bills that allowed the federal government to be an active participant in relief whereas Republicans favored a more hands-off approach. President Herbert Hoover, a Republican, thought that the Depression was temporary and was not in favor of direct federal aid.
The Wagner-Garner Relief Bill was an attempt by Democrats John Nance Garner (Speaker of the House) and Senator Robert Wagner to help struggling Americans. This bill proposed spending over 2 billion dollars on relief for the unemployed, assistance for financial corporations (banks, railroads, and industries), and the creation of employment opportunities with public works programs, such as the construction of federal post offices. The Riverton Lions Club publicly voiced their objections to increases in federal spending and rejected the construction of federal buildings, like post offices.
The Lions Club passed a resolution to urge Wyoming’s senators and representative in the House to reject any legislation that encouraged significant spending. They argued that “strict economy should be practiced in all government affairs.” Their objection struck “a popular chord in all parts of the United States.” While the bill did pass both the House and Senate, it was vetoed by President Hoover. Hoover stated that the bill “[v]iolates every sound principle of public finance and government.”
President Hoover would go on to be defeated in a landslide election against Franklin D. Roosevelt in November of 1932. Under Roosevelt, the New Deal was established which involved massive federal spending. In fact, Riverton’s post office, the same one that stands today, was built with funds from the New Deal in 1940. New Deal programs helped provide some relief, but a full economic recovery was only made with industrial mobilization for World War II.
But in June of 1932 the town of Riverton captured the nation’s attention and met the moment by speaking to people’s fears surrounding the state of the economy and increased federal spending. Riverton, for a short amount of time, transcended its small-town status and became a place people all across the nation read about in their newspapers– and it is all thanks to some Lions roaring loudly.
Author: Anne Gebo Riverton Museum
Next up for the Fremont County Museum
March 21, 6pm at the Dubois Museum, “Homesteading Series: High Altitude Bread Baking w/ Barb Lorentzen” Wyoming Community Bank Discovery Speaker Series
March 21, 1-3pm at the Pioneer Museum, “Women’s Tea” Wyoming Community Bank Discovery Speakers Series
April 3, 7pm at the Pioneer Museum, “Wyoming’s History Through the Camera Lens” Wyoming Community Bank Discovery Speakers Series
April 18, 9am with the Pioneer Museum, “Garden Expo” Bailey’s Tire/Pit Stop Children’s Exploration Series
April 25, 1pm at the Pioneer Museum, “Sheep Shearing Day” Bailey’s Tire/Pit Stop Children’s Exploration Series
Daily through December at the Pioneer Museum, “Sweetwater Ranch Life, The Paintings of Jack Corbett” Exhibition Opening
Rare Relics Road Show: Save the Date: Saturday October 10, 2026 Lander, WY Lander Community Center, You Are Invited!
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 through the Wind River Cultural Centers Foundation https://windriverccf.funraise.org/ or by sending a check to Fremont County Museums 450 N 2nd Rm 320 or taking it directly to the museum you choose to support.
Photo caption
Caption: Lions Club Certificate (1933) from the Riverton Museum Collection. Depression-era scrips (1930s) were a form of local emergency money used to substitute for U.S. currency while the banks were closed. The Riverton Lions Club stepped in with these tanned buckskin certificates to help solve the crisis in Riverton, WY. While some cities used wood or paper for their scrips, the Riverton Lions Club leaned into their Western heritage by printing on tanned leather. Scrips were intended to be temporary measures until the banks regained their footing.