Van Tassell, Wyoming

From "Niobrara Historical Brevity" published by the
Niobrara Historical Society, in observance of the Lusk Centennial 1886-1986

The town of Van Tassell is located approximately two miles west of the Nebraska-Wyoming state line on Highway 20.

Van Rensselaer Schuyler Van Tassell pioneered ahead of the railroad and came to Cheyenne when it was founded in 1867. The eastern part of what is now Wyoming was then Dakota Territory. In 1857 Laramie County was created by the Dakota Territorial Legislature at Yankton, South Dakota. This established, for the first time, what later became the eastern boundary of Wyoming. In 1869 Congress created Wyoming Territory. Ulysses S. Grant was President of the United States. John A. Campbell was the first Territorial Governor (1869 - 1875).

R. S. Van Tassell first came to this section of Wyoming Territory when he bought the Jim Moore place - later know as the Jay Em Ranch. After Moore's death he married Mrs. Moore. He gained control of the land where Van Tassell now stands in 1880. When the railroad came through in 1886, railroad officials named the station and town that sprang up around it Van Tassell. Mr. Van Tassell was among the largest cattle raisers in the Rocky Mountain region. He died in California in April 1931 when nearing the age of 100. He is buried in Cheyenne.

With the coming of the homesteaders, Van Tassell grew rapidly, reaching its peak in 1913. At the peak of it's development, Van Tassell had two hardware stores, three general stores, lumber yard, bank, two churches, two newspapers (one of which later became the Lusk Free Lance), butcher shop, dairy, creamery, butter factory, blacksmith shop, land office, electric light plant, two garages, a hotel with sixteen rooms and a spacious lobby, three cafes, large warehouse, depot, two drug stores, a city hall with fire department, a city jail, an insurance office, pool hall, mortuary, livery barn, minister, doctor, dentist, barber, mortician, coroner, hairdresser, and a city law officer.

Mr. Van Tassell donated the big bell to the Congregational Church. When it was no longer in use, the bell was purchased from the church by Bill Nolan and it is now in use in Jay Em.

A school was built in 1910. Charles Wheeler was postmaster from April 9, 1910 until December 27, 1910. Earl Criss was the first depot agent. A Mr. Hall lived in the first section house and took care of the railroad. The town was incorporated in 1916. The first mayor was Charles Calhoun. Councilmen were H. E. Zerbe, Charles Williams, O. I. Stenger and Walt Adams.

Van Tassell was an agricultural community and held many fairs. Grain and dairy products from the cream and butter factory were shipped on the railroad.

Charter No I - The first American Legion Post in the United States named for Ferdinand Branstetter - was granted to Van Tassell, Wyo. on June 28, 1919. Charles Calhoun was the first commander.

Many pioneers and loved ones rest in the small cemetery situated south of town.

Van Tassell has a current population of 12. It is governed by the mayor and four council members, served by a treasurer and clerk. A modern building serves as town hall, fire hall and community meeting room. The town owns a late model, well-equipped fire truck. The tiny Van Tassell Post Office observed it's 75th anniversary April 9, 1985. Its only other business is a grocery store.