Small Town America: Torrington, Wyoming

 When this profiling blog was first conceived, it was to focus in on one aspect of an American small town somewhere in this Great Country, such as the ones already done on a boardwalk or how a small town organizes a great festival.
However, this profile will be an exception. It will be more a perspective of Torrington, Wyoming, having knowledge and experience in Torrington, Connecticut.
This was the motivation to travel to the wonderful small city of Torrington, WY…the best motivation for the human spirit and for the American Vagabond’s curiosity.
Torrington WY was founded by Torrington, CT native, W.G. Curtiss, in the very early 1900s. That is the genesis for naming the second Torrington in the West. That is where much of the similarity will end.
Torrington, WY is a small town of approximately 5000 residents-about the same size in population as Harwinton, CT. However, because it is the county seat of Goshen County, WY, it has a commercial district rivaling the much larger Torrington, CT version. It does not, however, for good or bad, have any of the large box stores that are ubiquitous in much of America.
Yet, it must be mentioned that the fast food chains have succeeded in having their presence in the small town of Torrington, WY, just as we can get the Big Whopper and Big Mac in Torrington, CT.
In all of New England, much of the founding of one city or another is due to the rivers as a means of power for factories, and transportation from one point to another.
In the West, it was not only the rivers, but also the railroads that gave rise to many small and large cities. Two railroads meet in Torrington, WY, Union Pacific and the BNSF.
Unlike what we are most familiar with here in CT, the Union Pacific and BNSF move sugar, coal, and other bulk products through Torrington, WY. Also, aiding the “raison de etre” of Torrington, WY, is the intersection of two state highways, and as previously mentioned, being the county seat.
One digression is in order for the CT readers of this profile. Here in CT, we have a tradition for “home rule” manifested in a strong local government. Counties in CT exist in name only for the most part. In most of the country, to include Wyoming, counties are very strong in both their taxing authority and governmental powers. This is not to say the local government is not without their own authority and responsibilities, which I will mention later in this profile.
One of the issues we Vagabonds like to think about with each small town we visit are the economic engines that drive the local economies. All employment brings income to the workers, but it is the employment that brings income into the community that is the key to the economic vitality of any city or town.
I previously mentioned the larger than expected, given the population of Torrington, WY business community. This is not only because it is the county seat with all the trappings of county government such as the county courthouse, it is because of the local larger employers.
Torrington, WY is home to a private special education facility, St. Joseph’s Children’s’ Home, a beet sugar factory, the Eastern Wyoming (2 year) college, a state medium security prison, a soon to be plastic factory and a temporary influx of oil pipeline workers. As Torrington is very close (7 miles) to the panhandle of Nebraska, the surrounding community is heavily engaged in agriculture--both livestock and crops (corn, soybeans and beets).
We, the Vagabonds, feel the heavily weighting towards agriculture contributes to the very friendly demeanor of the small town. Farming, universally, makes nice people.
Kelly, the Director of the Visitors’ Center of the local Chamber of Commerce, was and is extraordinarily friendly — plus she is a relocated Bostonian. She understood James’s accent completely :). Besides making us feel very welcome, she was a valuable source of information about the community. One anecdote was she knew of the homeless man we met, temporary living in the park we stayed in that offered hook-ups for RVs. She mentioned he was the only homeless man in town. This man was well-spoken, knowledgeable, and helpful to our visit. Hopefully his misfortunes are temporary however; even he, in the mist of his own issues, exhibited the inherent friendliness we encountered all across the Mid-West and Western States.
While I mention people we met, it is incumbent upon us to mention the Mayor of Torrington, Wyoming, Mike Varney. He is a retired history professor with a most charming personality. Politically astute, well informed about the inner workings of his town, he was gracious enough to give us ample time in his office to not only complete our quest to learn about the town in the short time we had allocated, he made us feel this can not be the only visit for the Vagabonds to this fair city. It is rare for an elected politician to say they won their office via a “write-in” as Mayor Varney had done.
On a more serious note he did talk with us at length about the water issues and challenges the town faces. The abnormally hot summer is an inconvenience for Torrington, CT as well as the rest of the state. For those in Torrington, WY, and throughout the Mid-West, water and its related issues are becoming more and more of a critical concern. Fortunately for Torrington, WY, with Mike Varney’s leadership and vision, and the good fortune of the proximity of the North Platte River Valley, Torrington has a stable, reliable, and ample water supply for the time being.
 Across from the beet sugar factory is the town museum complete with a real Union Pacific Caboose right next door! The museum is located in the abandoned railroad station and is filled with historic artifacts and memorabilia of the history of Torrington, WY donated by the local citizens. The museum is open during the week and free. Inside the museum, the Vagabonds and other visitors are transformed immediately into the past. The ambiance of the museum is quit invigorating and in a short time, one can get the feel of a time long gone that is the history of strong, resolute, accomplished, and proud American West townspeople.
Another impressive structure is the Volunteer Fire Station and equally impressive fire training facility in the local Pioneer Park. The Vagabonds did not get a chance to talk to any of the volunteer firemen and firewomen but; judging from their facilities we are confident they are as professional, capable and dedicated as any volunteer fire department throughout America. A Vagabonds well-done to all!
Throughout Connecticut, one notices and unfortunately too many take for granted the greenery of the State’s abundant and prolific vegetation. Torrington, WY is not blessed similarly. Trees and luscious green lawns as well as the abundant deciduous tress of New England are not present, or are very few sparse indeed, in Torrington, Wyoming.
Yet the vistas and the nearby plains offer their own allure to resident and visitor alike.
The people of Torrington, WY are a resolute lot — proud and independent as the geography and nature demand.

Mayor Mike Varney, Torrington, WY

Main Street in Torrington, WY

A museum guide

Torrington's sugar beet factory

We always found a great place to hike on the road.



Torrington CT native W.G. Curtiss, founder of the town of Torrington, Wyoming.

James and Joan, enjoying some time on the dance floor - one of their favorite places.

Yet there is a friendliness and charm ever present that unites all Americans that says, “For all our differences, we are most alike in all that matters.”

Torrington, Wyoming, and home again to Connecticut

Torrington, WY was our furthest west planned destination. It just seemed like a fun idea to visit the town named for Torrington, CT. We met Mayor Mike Varney. and had a wonderful chat. He is affable, jovial and a skilled politician. We will be posting Torrington, Wyoming, on our website as a "special" town profile.

Torrington has a park with a campground, which made staying there even easier. The campground is named Pioneer Park, and has over 15 sites for campers and travelers. The North Platte River runs along the back of the campground, but it is not for swimming although some do cool off at the edge of the river.

The water is swift and full of driftwood that could injure a swimmer. The cost of staying overnight at the campground is $10, which includes electricity; and payment is on the honor system. Just stick your money in an old mail box!

When we left Torrington, we finally started heading east. The only other stop on our agenda was to visit with Joan’s cousin (actually first cousin-once removed) Ernie and his wife Micky in Highland, Indiana — if they were going to be home. They were, along with their oldest son, Tyler, who had recently graduated from high school. Their other two children were visiting grandparents, so we didn’t get to see them. We had a great time reminiscing, and catching up on family news.

In the morning, a storm was developing, so after a quick cup of coffee, and a few hugs, the Vagabonds left. The wind was howling, strewing paper and trash (it was garbage day and everyone on the street had already put out their cans) all over the lawns. There were a few limbs down, and we decided to ride out the storm at the nearby Cabelas, which was close by, but in the open — so no branches or trees would fall on us and we could point the View into the wind exactly as a ship handler does in a raging storm in the ocean. When the storm cleared, we headed east once more.

Traveling east along I-80 near Kearny, Nebraska, we encountered a ‘bridge’ across the highway. It had an Indian motif and since there were no exits, quite a curiosity. After a little internet research, we discovered that it was rolled across the highway in one piece in 1999 as a tourist attraction. The highway was diverted for eight hours to accomplish moving and stabilizing the bridge! Apparently they forgot that tourists would have to leave the highway to visit the various multi-media exhibits. As a result, visitors have to exit either before or after the bridge, and take a winding side road to get to it.

Another more attractive bridge was outside Keystone, South Dakota on the road to Mt. Rushmore. This is a stone archway and very pretty. This bridge, also man-made, is more natural looking being made of stone making a tunnel through the rock.

We cannot end this trip without a few observations.

First, Brutus, our Beta fish has traveled nicely and seems to enjoy the "waves" created by the bumps of the roads. It would be nice to take another pet, perhaps a cat or dog, but the Vagabonds decided that it would not be fair to the animal, especially with the heat we have experienced this summer.

The Vagabonds have seen all types of Recreational Vehicles on the road. Each is best for a particular type of travel: a 5th wheeler or toy hauler for carrying an ATV or dirt bike, and it has the advantage of detaching the truck and going to the store or an event, and not having to take the whole rig. 

A tent for backpacking or camping in one spot for a few days or a week. If you are traveling, tent camping can get tedious putting it up and taking it down every day, but it is a far cheaper way to travel. 

A ‘Class A’ is like taking your home with you. Most of the ones we saw also towed a small vehicle. Many people with ‘Class A’ RVs plan on staying in one place for several months. And, they get very low gas mileage! (Some of the newer ones even have a washing machine and dryer!)

A ‘Class C’ is a mini-apartment with an engine and wheels! It has all the amenities of the ‘Class A’ models, but is more compact.

Class B’ RVs are built on a van chassis, have less space, storage than a ‘Class C’, and no slide-out to make more room when stopped for the night.

If you plan to purchase an RV, be sure to investigate each type to get exactly what you need and want. There are RV shows that will give you a chance to look at every model. The show at the BIG E in March is a good one for looking at, and in, every class of RV. And, of course, do some research on the internet!

On our previous trips, the VW Eurovan was fine, but as we wanted more room to set up the computers, cook our meals, and have a shower, we decided to go to a larger vehicle and selected the Winnebago VIEW, which is a ‘Class C’ RV. We have plenty of storage and have saved money by not eating out or staying in motels a few times a week.

Our meals in the VIEW have ranged from pancakes and sausage for breakfast to roast beef, mashed potatoes, and corn on the cob for dinner. Most of the time we had sandwiches for lunch. The refrigerator and freezer work great, and while the microwave/convection oven works, we have yet to master it completely.

We decided to end our trip a little early, since there were a multitude of events and things to take care of at home. Our cat, Tillie, was especially happy that we came home a little earlier than planned. For the first 24 hours, she meowed constantly, and stayed by Joan’s side.

One last comment is in order about this great country of ours. 

The American Vagabonds cannot lose sight of both the homogeneity and heterogeneity of both citizen and geography alike. English is the language of the land — yet the accents can be very different. What fun it is for people to hear our New England accent around the country, and often they guess that one of us comes from Boston (smile). 

Also, we here in CT are accustomed to not seeing very much of the sky above us due to the many hills and vegetation that surround us throughout Connecticut. In much of the Mid -West and West, there is a BIG SKY that holds a certain awe for the Vagabonds.

Travel America is not a slogan for the Vagabonds, it is a privilege.        

The American Vagabonds hope you have enjoyed traveling with us for a few weeks, as we try to encourage everyone to explore America. We expect to be back on the road sometime in November, so keep an eye out for.....

James and Joan, The American Vagabonds

And, don’t forget to visit our web site: http://www.americanvagabonds.net or on blogspot-americanvagabonds.