Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1903-01-23
IDEAL WINTER RESORT
CLAIM n4baron BIG HORN
sAs1 HwYoM1ne.
Mild Weather Prevails, While Biz
yards Rage Observation-Disclosures
Work in Fields In February.

To travellers in the far west there is no
more interesting section than the Big Horn
Basin. Wyo. which is the home of former
Governor w. A. Richards. the newly ap-
pointed commissioner Of the general land
ONCE. Through one of those remarkable
vagaries OF climate which prove that the
average weather of a given region is not
altogether dependent upon altitude and lati-
tude. winter resort other sections Of the
country may well envy has been placed by
nature In the midst Of a state which en-
joys the distinction Of being one Of the
three coolest commonwealths in the United
states. While the remainder Of the state
may be In the grasp Of a devastating bliz-
card, the Big Horn Basin, lying snugly in
the lap of surrounding mountain ranges,
enjoys weather reminding one of a beauti-
full autumn in east Tennessee.
The Big Horn Basin and Thermopolis its
chle1 CITY, are little known in the east, but
throughout the west the life-giving climate
ana the healing waters Of its springs are
matters Of common knowledge, and the pio-
Heers OF the place are coming to see the
sectlon rapidly coming into prominence as
g. heaith resort. Letters just received in
this city from Washington visitors to the
basin tell Of the fact that during the re-
cent cold wave which swept over the west
the thermometer In Thermopolis registered
ABOVE zero. People went about in shirt
sleeves. and overcoats were discarded. Out
door work goes on all winter, and it ts not
at all uncommon to see ranchers blowing
curing January and February.
Rarely Have Snow.
Snow rarely falls in the valleys, but Of
course II heavy in the high mountain
ranges which protect this basin from the
cold blasts Of the outside country. The
reputation for extreme cold generally borne
by Wyoming, North Dakota and Montana
makes this condition seem almost incredu-
lous, but 1t Is said by the natives that the
wonderfully mild weather is common in
what they term this glorious district" Of
their state.
They say the Big Horn Basin has a cli-
mate all its own. and the cause Of 1t is not
far to seek. 1t is. as it's name implies. a
veritable basin in the heart of the Rocky
Mountains. 1t is sheltered on the west by
tho Wind river and the Shoshone ranges
which Join the Yellowstone National Park
To the north the Big Horn mountains pro-
tect the basin. On the east and south the
Rattlesnake and Owl Creek ranges complete
the circle. The altitude Of the basin varies
from 1000 feet at Thermopolis to $500 feet
at Cody. Buffalo Bits" new town, and the
gateway to the national park.
Springs Regarded as Wonderful.
The conditions. of the basin make It an
ideal spot for lung sufferers, and 1t is said
also many broken-down constitutions find
restoration there. 1t was proposed at one
time to establish a national resort there
under the supervision Of the government, as
at Hot Springs, Ark, but political rivalry
among the westerners served to defeat the
purpose. The Big Horn Hot Springs, at
Thermopolis, were purchased by the federal
government from the Shoshone and Arapa-
hoe Indians for the sum Of $780, 600 and then
presented to the state Of Wyoming. The
springs are declared to be among the most
wonderful thermal waters Of the world.
The benefit Of favorable climatic conditions
to all persons suffering with consumption
Is well known. The crowded cities Of Colo
RADIO and California have long claimed their
share Of such seekers after health. The
climate exerts it's best influences, 1t Is de-
clared, however. in countries like the basin,
where there are as yet few people.