History: A Little History of Story, Wyoming

In the book, Snippets of Sheridan County History by Cynde Georgen, the Snippet for January 29 of 1902, concerned the anniversary of the Story Post Office. Georgen said that although the first letter was registered on January 29, 1902, there is some controversy as to whether it was December 17 of 1901, or March of 1902. But, whatever the date, Marshall Lee Wolfe is credited with putting the town of Story on the map during that time.

This from Cheyenne Daily Leader, January 17, 1905 – Wolfe Boosts Town of Story, Sheridan County Cattleman Exhibits Products of Wyoming. Three Distinct Varieties of Coal from One Section Prove Surprise to Denver Investors. An interesting character at the Stock Growers’ convention was M. L. Wolfe, now located at Story, Wyo., says the Denver Republican. Mr. Wolfe was Inspector of mines In the State of Missouri for Governor John B. Marmaduke. He removed to Wyoming in 1895 to embark in the cattle business, which occupation he has followed ever since.

On his trip to Denver he brought samples of grain, coal and oil to advertise that portion of Wyoming and left them at H.M. Stoddard’s office, 1628 Stout street, the whole comprising an exhibit that would be a credit to any State.

The hamlet of Story, which Mr. Wolfe seems to regard as but little short of an Eden of the present day, Is located three miles above old Fort Phil Kearney, in the valleys of the Piney River, Piney North Fork and Spring Creek The valley has an altitude of 4,000 feet and the east foot of the Big Horn mountains rests on its western boundary. On the north arises a spur of the Big Horn Mountain to an altitude of more than 8,000 feet, making of the valley surrounding Story one of the most beautiful and picturesque regions to be imagine! On the west towering to an altitude of 12,000 feet, are the snow-capped mountains filled with game, the melting snows continually supplying the river with water, and the spur of mountains on the north protect this favored oasis against, all the violent storms.

About twenty-five miles south of Story oil has been found in paying quantities and the samples of this product compare most favorably with any that the writer has ever seen. The nearest railroad point to this entrancingly beautiful valley is Sheridan on the line of the Burlington & Missouri, twenty-three miles northeast while Buffalo, twenty-two miles distant is the largest and most important town, surrounded by a thriving farming and fruit raising community. Here also is found oil, coal, copper and a host of other mineral product all within a radius of a few miles, Buffalo seems to be the only important town that is making efforts to let the outside world know of its advantages.

Although some felt the new town should be named for Mr. Wolfe, Congressman Frank Mondell noted there was already a Wolf, Wyoming, so the name Story, to honor Charles P. Story, state representative and further Sheridan mayor, was chosen. There was the belief that the town was named for Nelson Story, who brought a trail herd up the Bozeman Trail, against explicit army orders, in the 1860s, but that wasn’t the case.

Developers in the area promoted Story of its beauty, health benefits and a place for summer homes.

The Sheridan Post, May 29, 1908 – Piney District Summer Homes the Future Health Resorts of the Sheridan Country. Scenery Equals Alps Beautiful Pine Forests, Swiftly Rushing Mountain Streams, Exhilarating Atmosphere, Fishing, Hunting. The Piney district is to be made a summer homes by a large number of Sheridan people. The trip to Piney is interesting. For eighteen miles the road passes through beautiful valleys and cultivated farms, the richest, agricultural district of the county. As the ascent of Massacre Hill is made the waters of Piney, diverted through the various ditches, the Prairie Dog water supply, the Piney and Cruse Creek, and the Coffeen Ditch, come pouring down the mountain side, falling 1,000 feet in less tha two miles. The action of the water during the past twenty years has eroded the surface and cut deep channels into the mountain side, from 50 to 100 feet deep, presenting a most interesting and inspiring sight. Just as the summit of the hill is reached, an entirely different count comes into view.

Forests of pines, groves of quaker asp and other small timber, roaring mountain streams, precipitous mountains, all combine to make the district most attractive, while a view to the northeast presents innumerable red buttes extending for 50 to 1OO miles. The elevation is 5,200 feet, and the effect of the many streams and ditches is to create a cooling and refreshing atmosphere not found in any other portion of the country. The Piney Inn, with its immense dining and dancing hall, its great pine trees, its mammoth fire place, its babbling brooks and exhilarating atmosphere, attracts many visitors during the vacation season.

The great spring, reserved by the state of Wyoming the future location for the fish hatchery, comes bursting from the mountain side and rushes madly down to join the waters of the main stream.

The town of Story, now largely composed of a series of small homes, nestled among the pines, is destined to become one of the famous resorts in the west.

The Smith trout farm is located at the junction of the two Pineys, Both streams pass through a portion of the farm. Sixteen small lakes, the home of 100,000 trout planted by Mr.Smith during the past years, add to the attractiveness of the scenery.

Recently three ponds were drained in order to make room for this year’s hatch of 300 000 and a large screen was held a part of the time at the mouth of the drain gate. The sight of hundreds of small speckled beauties lying on this screen was one long to be remembered. A road is contemplated from Story to Kearney Lake and the tie camp cabins, so that those desiring something more strenuous than the immediate vicinity of Story affords, can enjoy themselves climbing abrupt mountains and seeking the speckled beauties where the mountain torrents rage. Clouds Peak lies just to the west, and thirty beautiful mountain lakes snuggle at its eastern base, fed by the glacier which for centuries has dragged its way slowly down the peak, moving from 10 to 25 feet each year.

Recently Mr. Smith concluded to layout a townsite on the banks of the Piney, having the lots run to the middle of the stream, so that each lot owner could have the benefit of running water.

At one time Story was a bustling community, with motels, restaurants and dance halls.

The Sheridan Post, August 16, 1907

The oldest continuously operating fish hatchery in the state is located in Story. Today, there is a general store, located in the historic firehouse, an elementary school, church, library, a motel, a bed and breakfast, and restaurants.