Washakie

Formed February 21, 1911 (21^st county)

Washakie County (7,682), Worland (4,773)                

The tan brick Art Deco courthouse was constructed in 1936.  The courthouse is on Big Horn Avenue at 10^th Street.  Tenth Street is United States Highway 16 in this part of the town.  J. G. Link and Son designed the building.  The facility was enlarged in 1985 adding the Justice Center.  A totem pole is on the grounds.  There was also a 1917 courthouse in Worland, the only county seat.  The county was formed on February 21, 1911 from Big Horn County as the 21^st county.  The county is named for a Native American chief.  Worland was named for setter C. Worland.  Washakie County is the birthplace of 1 Wyoming Governor, Jack R. Gage. 

Washakie County government consists of a sheriff and 3 Commissioners.  One District Court Judge and Three Circuit Court Judges serve Washakie, Big Horn, Hot Springs, and Park counties.  The county is in northern Wyoming.  Casper, Wyoming is southeast and Billings, Montana is north of the county.  The county center is 15.8 miles Southeast of Worland.  The county is surrounded clockwise by Big Horn, Johnson, Natrona, Fremont, Hot Springs, and Park counties. 

The area of the county is 2240 square miles.  It is 19 out of 23 in the state.  It ranks 19 out of 23 in population in the state.  It has a density of 3.4 persons per square mile making it 15 out of 23 in the state.  Washakie County has 65.4% of its population in its incorporated areas.  United States Highway 16 enters the county from the east, Johnson County, and exits to the north, Big Horn County.  United States Highway 20 is joined with United States Highway 16 from Big Horn County, splits and continues south into Fremont County.  The county resembles a capital letter F lying on its face.  Worland is located in the northwest quarter of the county.  Worland is the county seat and the largest city.  It is 62.1% of the county population.  The county is pronounced WASH-A-KEE.