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Sheridan, Wyoming...the Best in the West
Latitude, Big Sky Airlines Magazine, 2006
By: Margorie Cochran
Photos courtesy of The Sheridan Press

A community-wide celebration in January marked Sheridan, Wyoming’s selection by True West Magazine as the top western town in America.

Sheridan was one of 500 towns vying for the honor.

Magazine editor Bob Boze Bell presented a statuette in recognition of the award at the January 28 event before a crowd of 1100. It was the first time the magazine has selected a town for the top western designation.

“Sheridan’s culture is Western, the pace of life is Western. When you’re in Sheridan, no matter where you hail from, you are Western. It’s that magic which really makes the town stand out,” a True West news release pointed out.

Towns were judged on history, efforts to preserve and promote their western heritage, and their success in attracting tourists. Sheridan was cited for its numerous historic sites and the Western events it sponsors annually. A new history museum, for which the community raised contributions totaling $1 million, is opening this year. Renovation work continues on the historic Sheridan Inn where January’s award ceremony was held. The Inn’s history dates back to Buffalo Bill Cody, who is said to have auditioned acts for his Wild West show there in the 1890’s.

The award ceremony featured local entertainers portraying Buffalo Bill, Annie Oakley, Calamity Jane and Wild Bill Hickok, who all played a role in Sheridan’s history. Frontier Regulars set off a Howitzer cannon. Native American dances were a performance highlight.A local drum and bugle corps and the New Sheridan Cornet Band also took part.

Special educational displays were arranged at the Trail End State Historic Site, Sheridan County Museum, Sheridan Heritage Center and Sheridan Travel and Tourism.

The statuette is now on display at the Wyoming Information Center.

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