OUR COMMUNITY

Lander, Wyoming is a small rural town with an approximate population 7,030, located in west-central Wyoming . Lander is the county seat of Fremont County which is the second largest county in Wyoming and covers approximately 9,225 square miles. Lander is located 5 miles south of the Wind River Reservation which has a population of approximately 8,000. The Wind River Reservation is the home of two Native American tribes-the Eastern Shoshone with 2,000 members and the Northern Arapahoe with approximately 6,000 members. The Reservation consists of 3,048 square miles within Fremont County .

Lander is a picturesque town, nestled in a valley at the base of the Wind River Mountains with the Popo Agie River running through it. Lander's elevation is approximately 5,300 feet. The area is home to antelope, deer, elk, bear, moose and other wild animals. Outdoor activities such as hunting, fishing, hiking, camping, water skiing, snow skiing and snowmobiling are readily available.

Lander has an excellent public school system: 3 elementary schools, 1 junior high school, 1 traditional high school and 1 alternative high school. There is also a Christian Academy for grades K-8 sponsored by the Presbyterian Church . The public school district has an indoor 25 yard/meter competitive swimming pool which is open for public use.

Central Wyoming College is a quality community college located in the town of Riverton , some 23 miles northeast of Lander. Central Wyoming College has a satellite campus in Lander. The National Outdoor Leadership School (NOLS) is headquartered in Lander. NOLS is a nationally renowned outdoor-based leadership training institution and contributes much to the Lander community. A 4-year Catholic college is currently being built near Lander.

Some of Lander's major industries are agriculture, mining, government offices, medical care and tourism . Lander is the gateway to the Shoshone National Forest , Yellowstone National Park and Grand Teton National Park . The Eagle Bronze Foundry is located here and produces bronze artwork seen around the world. Fremont County is rich in oil, gas, and other minerals and has recently seen a surge in exploration and development for these resources.

Lander is in the process of constructing a new Pioneer Museum which will exhibit artifacts displaying local history and the Native American culture of this area. This museum is scheduled for opening in June 2008. Adjacent to the Pioneer Museum is the Museum of the American West with its pioneer village and performance arena. Native American Dances, outdoor concerts and other activities are held here throughout the summer months. A Children's Museum which has interactive activities for small children is located near downtown Lander. A branch of the Fremont County Library is often the site for many children and adult events and is found on North Second Street across from the County Courthouse .

Lander has several ethnic restaurants-Chinese, Mexican, Asian and Taiwanese as well as McDonalds, Pizza Hut and other traditional restaurants. There is one movie theater. Although Lander has only an airport for small planes with about 50 private planes based here Riverton Regional Airport offers several commuter flights daily to Denver . There is a public 18-hole golf course that has a spectacular view of the Wind River Mountains . In addition to the swimming pool, Lander has several very nice city parks, tennis courts, climbing and exercise gyms, racquetball courts, bowling alley, walking trails and horse arenas. Lander hosts an annual climbing festival, July 4th Pioneer Parade, rodeo, and half marathon, One Shot Antelope Hunt and the Wyoming State Winter Fair.

Lander's excellent healthcare facilities include a 70-bed acute-care hospital with a psychiatric unit and a rehabilitation unit. There is a skilled-care nursing home and an assisted living facility. The several general medical and special medical clinics include family practice, pediatrics, internal medicine, general surgery, orthopedic surgery, neurology, ENT, ophthalmology, and Ob/Gyn. Dental, physical therapy, chiropractic and optometry services are readily available. There is also a renal dialysis center for those on hemodialysis. The Lander Senior Citizen's Center provides a wide array of activities for all seniors and prepares meals Monday through Friday. Affordable senior housing is available in Lander.

There are 2 large grocery stores in Lander along with hardware, lumber and small department stores. There are other unique stores and shops which are able to supply most needs. You can find a Wal-mart, K-mart, and other franchise stores and restaurants in Riverton.