Sheep Ranching

The first authentic sheep wagon was built by James Candlish in Rawlins in 1884 from an idea given him by George Ferris. Candlish, a Canadian blacksmith, followed Union Pacific construction to Fort Fred Steele and lived there until the troops moved out, then moved to Rawlins and opened his own blacksmith shop. Newer versions of his sheep wagons are still used throughout this region of Wyoming. Sheep herders were often called the "Nomads of the Plains" because they moved with large herds from place to place so the sheep could graze on the vast open ranges, spending summers on lush mountain meadows and winters back in the milder valleys. The sheep wagon provided warm, dry shelter, a place to cook and store grub, and a place to sleep and rest for isolated herders. Locally, the sheep wagon of earlier days is thought to have played a large role in developing the modern travel trailer, mobile home, and motor home in America.

Wyoming · United States