1940: Wyoming

Area and Population.

First settled in 1834, Wyoming became a territory by Act of Congress July 25, 1868, and after several changes in boundaries, was admitted to the Union July 10, 1890, as the forty-fourth state. According to the 1940 census, 250,742 persons reside in 23 counties, whose combined area is 97,548 sq. mi. Wyoming still ranks forty-seventh among the states in population, in spite of an 11.2 per cent increase since 1930 (225,565). The native white race predominates, with 241,029. The population includes 5,734 aliens.

Cheyenne, the capital, is the largest city, with a population of 22,474; Casper ranks second with 17,964; Laramie has 10,627; and Sheridan, 10,529.

Recreation.

Cool climate, numerous mountain ranges, streams and lakes well stocked with fish, and great areas of wild country almost untouched by man make Wyoming increasingly important and attractive to tourists in summer. Hunting and winter sports have a wide appeal in fall and winter. Licenses are issued for hunting ducks, geese, antelope, moose, mountain sheep, elk, deer and bear. The largest herds of wild elk in the world (approximately 7,000 head) are fed each winter at Jackson, Wyoming. Almost all of the state's 3,000 miles of oiled roads are kept open throughout the winter.

The Old West is revived each summer in a number of celebrations, the most famous being Cheyenne's 'Frontier Days,' the 'Daddy of 'Em All,' held each year during the last week of July.

Education.

Statistics for 1939 showed that Wyoming's population then included 72,283 of school age. Of these, 39,395 were enrolled in elementary schools and 16,825 in high schools. The annual average salary in 1938 was $665 in rural schools, $1,152 in elementary schools, and $1,435 in high schools. In the school year 1939-40 the state expended $6,025,333.18 on education.

During 1940, bus manuals were compiled and distributed by the State Board of Education to all school districts and school bus drivers, in the hope that well planned regulations and specifications may make bus transportation more safe and efficient. The putting into effect of the Equalization Law brought aid to needy school districts. In cooperation with the WPA and for the promotion of better health, school lunches were introduced into many schools. A remedial reading program has been set up for the benefit of children who lack reading skill.

Industry.

Wyoming's principal industries are oil refining and sugar refining. The state has also important creameries, cheese factories, and flour mills. It has long been important for its sheep and cattle. The annual wool clip yields approximately 31,389,000 pounds.

Agriculture.

While 1,500,000 acres are under irrigation and 1,000,000 acres are cultivated under dry-farming methods, agriculture is still in an experimental stage. The Kendrick (Casper-Alcova) reclamation project and irrigation enterprise, when completed, will irrigate 66,000 acres, taking water from the North Platte River. Growing seed beans has become an outstanding industry in the northern part of the State.

Mineral Products.

Production of petroleum in 1939 exceeded by about 3,000,000 bbl. the total of 1938, when 19,022,000 bbl. were valued at approximately $18,000,000. Bituminous coal was slightly in excess of the quantity mined in 1938, the amount being 5,383,000 tons. Natural gas output was also close to that of the preceding year, at 37,779,000 M. cu. ft.

Finance.

The twenty-fourth State Legislature (1939) appropriated $3,686,826.25 for the operation of state government for the biennial period 1939-1941.

Banking.

Wyoming has 32 State Banks, and 26 National Banks and Trust Companies (as of latest report of State Examiner, June 29, 1940). Combined banking resources are $75,797,806.25, consisting of $21,444,644.92 in 32 State Banks, and $54,353,161.33 in 26 National Banks. Demand deposits of individuals and corporations amount to $28,819,031.78; time deposits of individuals and corporations to $22,373,500.86; and U. S. and Postal Savings to $407,446.36.

The net increase of combined banking resources over 1939 was $3,390,165.93, and shows a firm financial situation. The average cash reserves in State Banks, June 29, 1940, were 43.79 per cent. The average cash reserves in National Banks June 29, 1940, were 43.44 per cent.

State Officers.

Governor, Nels H. Smith; Secretary of State, Dr. L. C. Hunt; Treasurer, Mart Christensen; Auditor, Wm. (Scotty) Jack; Attorney General, Ewing T. Kerr; Superintendent of Public Instruction, Esther Anderson.

United States Senators:

Joseph C. O'Mahoney, Harry Schwartz.