Nestled in northwestern Wyoming, the small town of Meeteetse sits at the western edge of the Bighorn Basin. This vast, bowl-shaped depression is flanked by mountain ranges on all sides. Meeteetse's location places it about 30 miles south of Cody and roughly 60 miles east of Yellowstone National Park's entrance, making it a gateway to some of America's most rugged wilderness.

The town itself is defined by its connection to the surrounding landscape. It isn't just a point on a map, but a community shaped by the geography around it. Its story begins with the river that flows right through it.

The Greybull River is the lifeblood of the region. It starts high in the Absaroka Mountains to the west and flows eastward, carving a path across the basin floor before eventually joining the Bighorn River. This journey creates the Greybull River Valley, a relatively narrow but fertile corridor through an otherwise arid landscape.

The valley's topography, or the physical features of the land, is a study in contrasts. Near the mountains, the valley is steep and rugged. As the river moves east and the elevation drops, the valley widens and flattens out, creating bottomlands with rich soil suitable for ranching and agriculture. This change in terrain plays a crucial role in how the land has been used throughout history.

Long before Meeteetse was founded, the Greybull River Valley was home to Native American tribes, primarily the Shoshone and Crow people. They utilized the valley for hunting grounds and seasonal camps, following the herds of bison and other game that thrived along the river.

In the late 19th century, the first permanent non-native settlers arrived. These were cattle ranchers drawn by the two resources the valley offered in abundance: water from the Greybull River and vast grasslands for grazing. They established ranches along the river, laying the foundation for the community that would become Meeteetse. The town was officially established in 1896, serving as a supply hub for the sprawling ranches in the surrounding valley.

Time to review what we've learned.

This introduction to Meeteetse and its valley sets the stage for a deeper look at the specific events and people that shaped this corner of Wyoming.