SPEAR-O-WIGWAM HISTORY
Spear-O-Wigwam has stood as an iconic part of Sheridan and Johnson Counties for decades. Founded as a dude ranch in 1923, by Wyoming State Senator and National Hall of Fame Cowboy, Willis M. Spear, the ranch quickly gained national recognition and critical acclaim. In the summer of 1928, Ernest Hemingway came to Spear-O to finish “A Farewell to Arms.” Hemingway returned to the ranch in subsequent years, and was once quoted as saying that his two favorite places on earth were Africa and Wyoming. The cabin he called home during his visits is now aptly named, the Hemingway Cabin. Over the years, the ranch hosted guests from around the world, many of whom returned year after year.
Spear-O-Wigwam is nestled in the Big Horn National Forest at 8,300 ft, a mere 5,000 ft below the highest peaks in the Bighorn Mountains. The ranch is located at the southeast edge of Park Reservoir, and it sits on 18 acres of leased National Forest property. Spear-O serves as an excellent trail head for many popular Bighorn Mountain horse packing, hiking and fishing destinations, as it is only 2 miles from the Cloud Peak Wilderness boundary.
The main lodge at Spear-O-Wigwam has served as the centerpiece of the facility since its founding. Originally, the 8 sided, wigwam looking section stood solitary, with an open roof and fire-pit in the center. Eventually, as the operation expanded, the lodge was redesigned to resemble the ranch brand; and it remains that way today. Surrounding the main lodge are seven cozy guest cabins, a rec center, two bunk houses, a tack room, and two personnel cabins.
The Northern Wyoming Community College District is the new proud owner of historic Spear-O-Wigwam. The mountain campus will enhance existing academic programming as well as provide new opportunities for students and the community. In partnership with the US Forest Service, the college has been issued an educational special use permit, granting access to 67,850 acres of land in the Bighorn Mountains for educational purposes.