Local Lore: Ranching in the Sunlight Basin
Local Lore: Ranching in Sunlight Basin
October 8, 2026 | Noon
Sunlight Basin’s stunning mountain scenery tells only part of its story. Join Park County Archives Curator Brian Beauvais as he explores the transformation of this remote Absaroka valley from a destination for hopeful miners and prospectors to a landscape shaped by ranchers, homesteaders, and eventually dude ranch operators. Through the stories of pioneering families who built ranches, dug canals, cleared pastures, and welcomed visitors seeking an authentic Western experience, Beauvais reveals how changing economic opportunities and human ambition continually reshaped the land. Discover the people and events that helped define one of Wyoming’s most remarkable mountain valleys.
About the Presenter
Brian Beauvais is Curator of the Park County Archives in Cody, Wyoming. He holds master’s degrees in history and library science and serves on the Park County Historic Preservation Commission, the Wyoming Historical Foundation, and the Wyoming Cultural Trust Fund.
