Martin & Zelda Capehart Genealogy Website

The Shoshone Reservation, created by treaty in 1868, became the home of both the Eastern Shoshone and Northern Arapho tribes. By the turn of the century the potential of irrigated farming on reservation lands along Wind River was recognized. Representatives of the U.S. government met with the tribes to discuss cession of "surplus" reservation land in 1904 and an agreement was signed in ceremonies outside Wind River Agency headquarters, calling for those lands to be opened for settlement under the Homestead Act. All proceeds were to be paid to the tribes for per capita payments, irrigation systems and education. Actual land opening came in 1906 which resulted in the establishment of the town of Riverton and the settlement of farming areas near the bend of Wind River. The twenty-five year period of poverty, hunger and privation for the tribes was brought to an end by benefits provided from the income derived from the opening of reservation lands.

In 1914 the Wyoming Tie & Timber Company began floating railroad ties down to Wind River to Riverton. Here they were delivered to the Chicago & Northwestern Railroad. By 1920 the tie company business had become a very significant economic force in the community.

Sugar beets became the most profitable crop for the Riverton area farmers and in the 1950's was considered the one crop farmers could literally bank on.

The end of World War II saw the dawning of the Atomic Age. In September of 1953 uranium was discovered in the Gas Hills, east of Riverton and the area was soon alive with prospectors. Drill rigs soon followed, defining the ore bodies to be mined. It was this industry that transformed Riverton from a quiet farming community of 2,500 people into a bustling commercial center of more than 10,000 people. Today Riverton is the largest city in the county; the largest city within the historical boundries of the Wind River Reservation and the largest community in west-central Wyoming. Source: http://www.wyoming.com/~rivmus/rivhist.htm; http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Riverton,_Wyoming

Mountain View Cemetery is loacated at 3540 Main Street in Riverton, Wyoming. Map The cemetery was founded in May of 1923 with the first burial. On Jan. 5, 1924, Riverton transferred 40 acres to the cemetery. The cemetery district was established and incorporated in1957. The years following saw many improvements:

* A new underground watering system was installed in May of 1958, with water supplied by the canal and a

well owned by the cemetery.

* A new garage building and office was added and curbing installed in 1959.

* New high-capacity sprinkler heads were installed by May of 1960.

* A brick home for the cemetery sexton was built so 24-hour supervision of the cemetery was possible. This

helped control a vandal problem.

* The present archway was donated and dedicated in memory of Harry F. Farnsworth in May 1962.

* In May of 1963, Erma Wisner donated two spruce trees to be planted near the entrance in memory of her

husband.

* Paving of the roads was completed in the fall of 1963.

* Over the years many trees have been planted and improvements continue to be made

The size of the cemetery has grown over the years. The people of Riverton are to commended for the care they have given the cemetery. Source: http://gennut.home.bresnan.net/