Town of Cowley
Cowley, Wyoming
Nestled in the picturesque Big Horn County in northwestern Wyoming, Cowley is a small yet vibrant town with a rich history and unique geographical features. Located approximately 25 miles north of the city of Lovell, Cowley sits at the foot of the beautiful Bighorn Mountains, offering stunning views of the surrounding landscapes. Its position near the Shoshone River and proximity to both the mountains and plains make it a charming spot for nature lovers and history enthusiasts alike.
Location and Size
Cowley covers an area of about 0.5 square miles, making it a small, tight-knit community. Despite its size, the town is strategically located, offering easy access to the natural beauty and recreational opportunities Wyoming is famous for. The town is part of the larger Big Horn County and lies just a short drive away from other notable locations like Bighorn Canyon, the Pryor Mountains, the historic town of Basin and the picturesque Shell Canyon.
With the Big Horn Mountains to the west and the expansive plains stretching to the east, Cowley is surrounded by diverse ecosystems, offering both scenic views and outdoor recreational activities. The town’s location near the Shoshone River, Bighorn Canyon, the Bighorn Mountains and various hiking trails makes it an attractive spot for outdoor enthusiasts and those seeking a peaceful retreat.
Community Life
Though small in population, Cowley boasts a strong sense of community and a welcoming atmosphere. The residents of Cowley take pride in their town’s close-knit nature, where neighbors know each other and work together to maintain the town’s character. The pace of life in Cowley is slower than in larger towns or cities, offering a peaceful environment for those who enjoy a more rural lifestyle.
The town offers a number of amenities to its residents, including a local school, an outdoor swimming pool, parks, a top-flight lighted baseball field and several small businesses that provide essential services. The surrounding countryside is home to numerous outdoor activities, including hiking, fishing, and hunting, making Cowley an appealing spot for those who love the outdoors.
Cowley’s location near the Big Horn Mountains also means it is in close proximity to a number of national parks and wildlife areas, giving residents and visitors access to world-class recreational opportunities. From winter sports in the mountains to summer picnics by the river, the area’s natural beauty is a key attribute of Cowley.
In conclusion, Cowley, Wyoming, is a small yet historically rich town that offers a unique blend of agricultural heritage, natural beauty, and close-knit community life. Whether you are passing through or considering making it home, Cowley is a place where Wyoming’s rural charm and western history are still very much alive.
History of Cowley
The town of Cowley was settled by a group of Mormon pioneers called to settle Wyoming’s Big Horn Basin. The town was named in honor of Matthias F. Cowley their founder, one of the Apostles of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints at the time. In February 1900, a group of explorers were sent by the Church, to find a suitable location for a colony in Northern Wyoming. The group met with William F. Cody, who had a permit from the state of Wyoming to build an irrigation canal. The first company of pioneers arrived in the area on May 2, 1900, and began the construction of the Sidon Canal to bring water to the town from the Shoshone River. The canal was over 30 miles long and was not completed until 1904.
By winter 1900, there were approximately 18 log houses built in the area. Those original homes were built by Robert Baird, John Black, John Burke, Hyrum Cook, John Dickson, Robert Fraser, William Graham, David Lewis, Gilbert Marchant, Alfred Nebeker, William Partridge, William Simmons, George Taggart, Henry Tucker, Franklin Turnbow, Lemuel Willis, W. W. Willis and George Harston.
The first school was opened in a log house in January 1901, and the first teacher was Eliza R. Black. There were about 24-30 students.
On September 26, 1910, the Big Horn Academy was opened in Cowley, as the first High School. The first class to graduate from the Big Horn Academy was the class of 1912, consisting of 13 students. The first four-year graduating class was in 1915.
A new stone building was erected to house the Big Horn Academy in 1916 (pictured above). In 1925, the name was changed to the Cowley High School. The school’s mascot was the Jaguars. The Cowley High School remained in the Big Horn Academy building until 1983. Due to the declining enrollment, the school in Cowley was closed in 1983.
Beginning in 1984, the town’s students began attending the consolidated Rocky Mountain High School in Byron, Wyoming, with students from Byron, Deaver and Frannie. For the 2010-2011 school year, the Rocky Mountain High School was moved to Cowley, with the completion of a new high school in Cowley.
(P.O. Box 635)
Cowley, WY 82420
307.548.7700
HOURS
M,W: 1:00 PM – 5:00 PM
T,Th,Fri: 9:00 AM – 1:00 PM
Town Staff
Public Works Operator
John Barnes – 307.272.0952
Public Works Operator
Derek Alvarez – 307.272.0953
Town Administrator
Dave Banks – 307.272.0785
Clerk/Treasurer
Lisa Woodis
office: 307.548.7700
cell: 307.272.0308
Town Council
Mayor
Joel Peterson
Council Person
Scott Crosby
Council Person
Emily Simmons
Council Person
June Minchow
Council Person
Max Lewis