In the month of May of the year 1900, a small company of Mormon pioneers completed a journey from Utah to the Big Horn Basin in covered wagons and made a temporary tent camp on the Shoshone River south east of the present town of Byron. At that time, it seemed that the country had nothing much to offer except barren land, but the Mormon people were fulfilling a religious mission and their hearts were filled with the true spirit of pioneering that characterized the American frontier people at that time.
It was not long until small 10g cabins were replacing the tents and ground was being made ready for the planting of crops. During the first rear, the people raised a large community garden on the James Cowley farm and the next year the settlement was moved to where the present town of Byzon is now located.Here they lived like one big family, building homes, clearing land, and making future plans. Byron Sessions was made president of the colony and the town was named for him.
In 1902 the first school was built. It was a little one-room log building and there was but one book for all to use. E. I. Thomas and Eva Jensen were the first teachers.
The year 1905 brought an epidemic of typhoid fever and many died from the dread disease. There were no doctors and it was the duty of everyone to care for the sick. During this Jear, a new school was built of sandstone. It was later destroyed by fire and many of the school records were destroyed.
One of the greatest undertakings of this little group of pioneers, aided by members of the nearby settlements of Cowley and Lovell, was the building of the Sidon Canal which today still furnishes a major source of water for irrigation to northern Big Horn County. As a result of this undertaking, these communities can boast some of the finest crops in the whole state.
The first high school classes were held about 1924 and the first recorded graduation was in 1925. The graduating class consisted of two girls Jensen and La Rue Cowley.
Following the discovery of oil and the construction of wells and equipment, the school began to grow. Improvements have been made steadily since that time. The building in its original form was completed in the year 1926 and new additions have been added. The gymnasium was completed in 1936 and was remodeled in 1962.
In 1938 a new wing was added to the school which became the home of the Band, Chemistry department, Commercial department and Agriculture department. since been converted to larger quarters for the chemistry department and the commercial and Agriculture departments were moved to make way for the Kindergarten and First grade rooms. The new Agriculture building was constructed in 1951.
In 1950 the old lunch room in the basement was converted to the Commercial Room. A new Lunch Room was constructed in 1949. The Band room which was built in 1949 did not prove very satisfactory and another more modern sound-proofed one was built. This was later added to the Chemistry department quarters and a new Band room constructed in 1962 in the new addition to the school.
In 1962 a very modern addition was completed to add to our school. This contained an auditorium, swimming pool, band room and the rooms for grades two to six.
In the summer of 1963 a language laboratory was installed in the high school. The library was moved to the first floor and was sound-proofed with new ceiling and tile.
Parents, teachers, school board members, custodians, bus drivers, lunch room cooks and students all strive to make our school the very best and are proud of it.
It was not long until small 10g cabins were replacing the tents and ground was being made ready for the planting of crops. During the first rear, the people raised a large community garden on the James Cowley farm and the next year the settlement was moved to where the present town of Byzon is now located.Here they lived like one big family, building homes, clearing land, and making future plans. Byron Sessions was made president of the colony and the town was named for him.
In 1902 the first school was built. It was a little one-room log building and there was but one book for all to use. E. I. Thomas and Eva Jensen were the first teachers.
The year 1905 brought an epidemic of typhoid fever and many died from the dread disease. There were no doctors and it was the duty of everyone to care for the sick. During this Jear, a new school was built of sandstone. It was later destroyed by fire and many of the school records were destroyed.
One of the greatest undertakings of this little group of pioneers, aided by members of the nearby settlements of Cowley and Lovell, was the building of the Sidon Canal which today still furnishes a major source of water for irrigation to northern Big Horn County. As a result of this undertaking, these communities can boast some of the finest crops in the whole state.
The first high school classes were held about 1924 and the first recorded graduation was in 1925. The graduating class consisted of two girls Jensen and La Rue Cowley.
Following the discovery of oil and the construction of wells and equipment, the school began to grow. Improvements have been made steadily since that time. The building in its original form was completed in the year 1926 and new additions have been added. The gymnasium was completed in 1936 and was remodeled in 1962.
In 1938 a new wing was added to the school which became the home of the Band, Chemistry department, Commercial department and Agriculture department. since been converted to larger quarters for the chemistry department and the commercial and Agriculture departments were moved to make way for the Kindergarten and First grade rooms. The new Agriculture building was constructed in 1951.
In 1950 the old lunch room in the basement was converted to the Commercial Room. A new Lunch Room was constructed in 1949. The Band room which was built in 1949 did not prove very satisfactory and another more modern sound-proofed one was built. This was later added to the Chemistry department quarters and a new Band room constructed in 1962 in the new addition to the school.
In 1962 a very modern addition was completed to add to our school. This contained an auditorium, swimming pool, band room and the rooms for grades two to six.
In the summer of 1963 a language laboratory was installed in the high school. The library was moved to the first floor and was sound-proofed with new ceiling and tile.
Parents, teachers, school board members, custodians, bus drivers, lunch room cooks and students all strive to make our school the very best and are proud of it.
CHRONOLOGICAL HISTORY OF BYRON, WYOMING
This history of Byron comes from the Personal Early Histories of Byron, a collection of personal histories and stories from Byron residents.
YEAR EVENT
1900 The community was founded by a group of Mormon Pioneers, who lived in tents and covered wagons.
1902 The first school was built. It was a little one-room building, and there was one book for all to use. The building was also
used as the church. Mrs. Eva Jensen and E. L. Thomas were some of the first teachers.
1905 Christian Jensen laid the rock for the new schoolhouse.
1905 Typhoid epidemic closed the school. Many were stricken, and many died.
1907 Oil was discovered on a lease southwest of town.
1909 Frank Sylvester introduced basketball for both boys and girls.
1911 Gas was piped into some homes.
1913 First school bus was a horse-pulled wagon. Gene Jones was the driver. There was a stove in the corner.
1919-1920 A Used Model-T Ford was used for a school bus. Gene Jones was the driver.
1925 The first high school graduation was held. Fredora Jensen and LaRue Cowley were the graduates.
1925 ( 3/27) The schoolhouse burned to the ground. Only rock walls were left standing. School started Monday morning in the
church, the jail, and other empty buildings around at the time. O.C. Day was the superintendent and saved a football and a
microscope from the burning building.
The Microscope is still in local possession
1925 The Byron school board asked Lovell to take over the Byron School District, but they refused. The Boundary Board gave
Byron a tract of land, which was known as Spence South District, which contained five miles of railroad. This gave Byron
enough evaluation so they could guild again.
1927 The new school was completed.
1928 The Eagle was chosen as the school emblem, and Kelley green and white were chosen as the colors.
1932 The School Song was written.
1936 The Gym was completed and added to the school.
1938 A new wing was added to the school, which housed the school band, chemistry and commercial departments, and
agricultural classes.
1947 - 1949 Five new teachers’ homes and a duplex were built southwest of the school.
1948 Byron’s six-man football team completed its fourth year of undefeated conference games. Thirty-two games without a
defeat or tie. The team received recognition for their achievement in a National Magazine.
1949 A Band room was built above the stage.
1949 A new lunchroom was built. The old one was converted into a Commercial Department, a new AG Department, and a
Homemaking Cottage.
1949 - 1950 The first Byron Band was organized.
1951 Byron is still undefeated in football, 43 undefeated games. Lost to Cowley.
1952 The Homemaking Cottage was finished.
1952 The first kindergarten class was held.
1962 The school was remodeled, dressing rooms in the gym, a swimming pool, an auditorium, for grades 2-5, a new library, and a
music room.
1963 A language laboratory was established.
1900 The community was founded by a group of Mormon Pioneers, who lived in tents and covered wagons.
1902 The first school was built. It was a little one-room building, and there was one book for all to use. The building was also
used as the church. Mrs. Eva Jensen and E. L. Thomas were some of the first teachers.
1905 Christian Jensen laid the rock for the new schoolhouse.
1905 Typhoid epidemic closed the school. Many were stricken, and many died.
1907 Oil was discovered on a lease southwest of town.
1909 Frank Sylvester introduced basketball for both boys and girls.
1911 Gas was piped into some homes.
1913 First school bus was a horse-pulled wagon. Gene Jones was the driver. There was a stove in the corner.
1919-1920 A Used Model-T Ford was used for a school bus. Gene Jones was the driver.
1925 The first high school graduation was held. Fredora Jensen and LaRue Cowley were the graduates.
1925 ( 3/27) The schoolhouse burned to the ground. Only rock walls were left standing. School started Monday morning in the
church, the jail, and other empty buildings around at the time. O.C. Day was the superintendent and saved a football and a
microscope from the burning building.
The Microscope is still in local possession
1925 The Byron school board asked Lovell to take over the Byron School District, but they refused. The Boundary Board gave
Byron a tract of land, which was known as Spence South District, which contained five miles of railroad. This gave Byron
enough evaluation so they could guild again.
1927 The new school was completed.
1928 The Eagle was chosen as the school emblem, and Kelley green and white were chosen as the colors.
1932 The School Song was written.
1936 The Gym was completed and added to the school.
1938 A new wing was added to the school, which housed the school band, chemistry and commercial departments, and
agricultural classes.
1947 - 1949 Five new teachers’ homes and a duplex were built southwest of the school.
1948 Byron’s six-man football team completed its fourth year of undefeated conference games. Thirty-two games without a
defeat or tie. The team received recognition for their achievement in a National Magazine.
1949 A Band room was built above the stage.
1949 A new lunchroom was built. The old one was converted into a Commercial Department, a new AG Department, and a
Homemaking Cottage.
1949 - 1950 The first Byron Band was organized.
1951 Byron is still undefeated in football, 43 undefeated games. Lost to Cowley.
1952 The Homemaking Cottage was finished.
1952 The first kindergarten class was held.
1962 The school was remodeled, dressing rooms in the gym, a swimming pool, an auditorium, for grades 2-5, a new library, and a
music room.
1963 A language laboratory was established.