1938: Wyoming

Area and Population.

The name of Wyoming is from the Indian Maugh-wan-wa-ma meaning 'large plains.' It was nicknamed 'Equality State' because it was the first to adopt equal suffrage, in 1869. Admitted to statehood July 10, 1890, Wyoming ranks 8th in size among the states, with an area of 97,914 sq. mi. In population it ranks 47th, numbering 225,565 according to the census of 1930; 235,000 on July 1, 1937, according to a Federal estimate. The largest cities are Cheyenne, the capital, 17,361; and Casper, 16,619. Other outstanding towns are Laramie where the State University is located; Sheridan; Cody; the home of Buffalo Bill, and the eastern entrance to Yellowstone Park; Rock Springs; and Rawlins, where the State Penitentiary is located. Of the 1930 population the white race numbered 214,067; Negroes, 1,025; other races, 10,248.

Topography and Climate.

Lofty plains traversed by the Rocky Mountains characterize the state. In the eastern section the plains are grassy; the western plateaus are covered with the characteristic sage brush.

Wyoming has two National Parks and a National Monument within its boundaries. Yellowstone National Park, established in 1872, was the first national park in the United States. Teton National Park was established in 1929. The largest herd of buffalo in the world (approximately 7,000 head) are fed during the winter season at Jackson Hole in the Teton National Park Region. The Devil's Tower, located in northeastern Wyoming, was in 1906 the first national monument to be set apart.

The climate of Wyoming is that of high elevations, with rarefied air. Extremes of temperature exist for a short period each year. Records show the maximum to be 116° above zero and the minimum 45° below.

Agriculture.

Agriculture is still in an experimental stage in Wyoming; however, 1,500,000 acres are now under irrigation and 1,000,000 acres are being successfully cultivated through dry farming methods. The principal crops are corn, wheat, hay (tame and wild), beans, sugar beets and other grains. Cattle and sheep raising is still an important industry and the wool clip for 1938 yielded 31,389,000 pounds (preliminary estimate).

Mineral Products.

The year 1937 showed large increases in Wyoming's most important products, oil and gas. The former amounted to 19,166,000 bbl. as against 14,582,000 bbl. (value, $13,700,000) in the previous year. The natural gas flow rose to 35,702,342 M cu. ft. from 29,322,000 M cu. ft. in 1936. The increase was mainly in the Salt Creek field. Coal production was slightly in excess of that for 1936, amounting to 5,930,000 tons.

Education.

Provision for public education was made at the first session of the Territorial Assembly in 1869. That it has been effective is verified by the 1930 census which showed the record of illiteracy to be only 1.6 per cent, while 73.7 per cent of the school population between the ages of five and twenty years were enrolled in the public schools of the state.

The libraries of the state rank fourth in the United States, according to statistics of the American Library Association, which show that only four per cent of Wyoming's population is without library service. This high rating is due to the state-wide system of county libraries.

Banking.

The banking situation has operated normally the past year, with earnings somewhat lower than might be desired but reports show that the banks are operating on a firm basis.

Legislation.

There was no legislation during 1938 as the Wyoming Legislature meets biennially in the odd years.

State Officers.

Wyoming has been governed by the Democratic Party since 1932; however, the November 1938 election was a reversal and as a result of that election, the chief officers are as follows: Governor, Nels H. Smith (Republican); Secretary of State, Dr. L. C. Hunt; Treasurer, Mart Christensen; Auditor, Wm. 'Scotty' Jack; Superintendent of Public Instruction, Esther Anderson.

United States Senators:

Joseph C. O'Mahoney, Harry Schwartz.