Bosler, Wyoming

Wyoming Industrial Journal no. 11. April 01, 1909, page 2. Wyoming Newspaper Project

Bosler was platted in 1909 and began as a cattle and railroad shipping town. The town was named after James Williamson Bosler, a prominent cattle baron of the late 19th century. [5]

Scene of Bosler (date unknown)

Wyoming State Archives, Department of State Parks and Cultural Resources

Development in the town of Bosler took a variety of directions over the years, but the Lincoln Highway was the main source of sustaining boom. [3] Today, travelers zoom right past Bosler east of the Union Pacific railroad tracks on Highway 30. However, the 1913 Lincoln Highway entered Bosler when a majority of the town site was to the west of the tracks. It was not until 1925, when the highway was rerouted slightly to the east of the tracks, that the towns business also moved to their current locations. [5]

Local photographer, Doc Thissen, has done extensive research on the town of Bosler along with taking amazing photographs of the remaining buildings. He notes that the 1940 census showed a population of nearly 300. Today that number sits around 10. [6]

In reflection on Bosler today, Thissen notes:

“This town is an example of what has been left behind in the name of progress. This is a place where people lived, enjoyed a livelihood and raised families. A place where people knew each other; attended Saturday night dances, and Sunday morning church services.” [6]

The next major shift in Bosler came about in the 1960s when discussions on Interstate 80 considered bypassing Bosler and the other communities along Highway 30.

Below are two prominent structures that can be seen when traveling on Highway 30 today. Doc Thissen’s blog, which includes more pictures of the town, can be found here

Doc’s Western Village

Bosler Consolidated school