Campbell County is located in the northeastern part of Wyoming and is bordered by Sheridan County to the north, Johnson County to the east, Converse County to the south, and Natrona County to the west. The county covers an area of 2,078 square miles and has a population of 46,133 people. The county seat is Gillette.
The landscape of Campbell County consists mostly of rolling hills covered in sagebrush and grasses. There are also several mountain ranges located in the county including the Big Horn Mountains to the east and Black Hills to the south. The Powder River Basin lies between these two mountain ranges and is an important source of energy production for the region. Other natural features include several lakes such as Keyhole Reservoir near Gillette and Lake DeSmet which straddles both Campbell and Sheridan counties. There are also numerous creeks that flow through Campbell County including Clear Creek, Piney Creek, Sage Creek, Little Powder River, Crazy Woman Creek, Tongue River, Little Goose Creek and Sage Brush Creek. These creeks provide water for irrigation purposes as well as recreational opportunities such as fishing or kayaking.
Country Seat and Other Main Cities of Campbell County, Wyoming
The county seat of Campbell County is Gillette, which is the largest city in the county and home to more than 32,000 people. The city was founded in 1891 as a coal mining town. Today, it is an industrial center for energy production with many of the region’s oil and natural gas companies having offices and facilities in the area. Gillette also serves as a regional hub for shopping, entertainment, and healthcare.
Other cities in Campbell County include Wright and Moorcroft. Wright is a small town located near the Black Hills to the south with a population of 1,400 people. It serves as an agricultural center for the region with many farms located nearby. Moorcroft is another small town located near Keyhole Reservoir to the west with a population of 1,100 people. It has become known as an outdoor recreation destination due to its proximity to Keyhole Reservoir, which provides excellent opportunities for fishing and boating activities. See cities in Wyoming.
Finally, there are several unincorporated communities scattered throughout Campbell County including Arvada, Rozet, Hiland and Osage which are all located within 10 miles of Gillette. These communities provide additional housing options for those who wish to live close to Gillette while still enjoying a more rural lifestyle.
History of Campbell County, Wyoming
Campbell County was established in 1911 and named after former Governor of Wyoming, John W. Campbell. It is located in the northeastern part of the state, covering an area of 4,045 square miles. Its terrain consists mainly of prairie grasslands, rolling hills and mountains, with several lakes and rivers scattered throughout.
Prior to settlement by Europeans, the area was inhabited by various Native American tribes including Cheyenne, Arapaho and Sioux. The first Europeans to arrive in the region were fur traders who arrived in the early 1800s. In 1876, gold was discovered near present-day Gillette which sparked a gold rush that brought more settlers to the region.
In 1884, the Chicago & North Western Railway extended its lines into Campbell County which further increased settlement in the area. The town of Gillette was founded shortly thereafter as a coal mining town and quickly became a major industrial center for energy production with many of the region’s oil and natural gas companies having offices and facilities there.
Today, Campbell County is an important source of energy production for Wyoming with numerous oil refineries located there as well as numerous coal mines that still operate today. It is also home to several recreational areas such as Keyhole Reservoir near Gillette and Lake DeSmet which straddles both Campbell and Sheridan counties providing excellent opportunities for fishing or kayaking activities.
Economy of Campbell County, Wyoming
Campbell County is an important economic center for the state of Wyoming. Its economy is primarily fueled by the energy industry, with numerous oil refineries located in the county as well as coal mines and other energy production facilities. This has made Campbell County one of the state’s largest producers of energy and a major source of employment for many of its residents.
In addition to energy production, Campbell County also has a strong agricultural sector with many farmers and ranchers residing in the area. Cattle, sheep, and hogs are all raised in Campbell County, while wheat, barley, corn, alfalfa, hay, and oats are all grown in abundance. The county also produces various fruits and vegetables such as potatoes, apples, cherries, peas and beans.
Tourism is another important source of income for Campbell County with many visitors coming to take advantage of its natural beauty or participate in some of its recreational activities such as fishing or boating at Keyhole Reservoir near Gillette or Lake DeSmet which straddles both Campbell and Sheridan counties. There are also several campgrounds located throughout the county which attract visitors from all over Wyoming.
Finally, there is a growing retail sector within Campbell County with numerous shopping centers located throughout Gillette providing jobs to local residents. This includes several large chain stores such as Walmart and Target as well as a variety of smaller specialty stores that cater to the needs of local shoppers.