Cow Town, Coal Town & Boom Town - Gillette Wyoming

[@squirrelhillfarm9070]

I love the North East part of Wyoming - always thought I would love working cow/calf operation there.

[@redneckgirl3326]

Same, especially the Sheridan area.

[@curtislongtin3577]

Thanks for sharing this. I was actually born in Gillette back in 1971.. my dad was in the oilfield... so brings back some memories.. thanks.

[@joycewhite9281]

I'm from Gillette too,I was just sent this link,I love looking back at old pictures

[@alans.4167]

Everyone I've ever met from there has been friendly to me. I live in Illinois and have family in Washington State. Normally I'll fly to visit but when I do drive I've always taken I-90 and end up stopping for a break in Gillette, it's my half way point for my road trips.

[@OurWyomingLife]

I agree, every one is very friendly. Thanks - Mike

[@millywest7955]

The same here,Love History, Love watching your family

[@donalddarling4125]

I lived in Gellette from 8-78 till 1-84. worked at Jacobs Ranch Kissig water and oil in Roset and Big horn construction. I had a house built at 5309 gun powder st in sleepy hollow . I just happened to find Our Wyoming life tonight 2-15-21. It brings back some really good memories.Thank you

[@thetraveler5798]

So much history that a small place can have, thank you for the photos. Nice place Gillette Wyoming.! 🌟🌟👍🌟🌟

[@OurWyomingLife]

Yes it is, thank you very much - Mike

[@loriehabel1552]

Now that's doing your homework👍👍. Keep em coming😉. Have a great week🤗

[@OurWyomingLife]

haha, I have made some smart friends :) Thanks Lorie - Mike

[@lostnation5348]

Thank You for sharing. We should never forget our roots.

[@rrice1705]

Neat video, very well done! Never been to Gillette but I feel like I've got a good sense of the town's history.

[@mikehamilton3833]

Great history video, Mike. My family and I lived in Gillette 1969-70, oil boomers. I was 10th grade high school. My mother become lifelong friends with Louis and Helen McBeth. I am sure Gilbert knew them. We visited their ranch several times and are great memories for a out of place West Texas teenager. You and Erin's Our Wyoming Life series is my favorite KZbin series. Thank you for doing them. Want to return to Gillette and see it again. Maybe see y'all too. Take care. Mike H. In Gordon, texas.

[@OurWyomingLife]

That is awesome, thank you for sharing. Louis was one of Gilberts closest friends and when he passed away it hit Gilbert pretty hard. - MIke

[@bernardflood8289]

Greetings from Ireland. It's a very interesting history, thanks for sharing it with us.

[@OurWyomingLife]

Thank you very much - MIke

[@bigcliffadventures]

Mike I am back in the hospital again and that's what my life has come to now. Mike I will not quit I beat this cancer . I watch your video and think back my family has been in Texas over 200 years now . I still get paid for my oil and gas now too. Hahahaha it's not much but its some thing anyway. God bless you and Arin and think you for letting be apart of your family . It's one thing I look forward to your video each day some time I watch them 3 or 4 times now .

[@OurWyomingLife]

Thank you very much sir! While in the hospital make it the best you can, hope you have all the cute nurses! - Mike

[@madampolo]

I always wondered how your father-in-law got the ranch. I thought it was likely his family's ranch, but now know it was the sale of it that allowed him to buy the ranch. I think that ranch meant more to him because of it. Over in East Germany, my ancestors were forced to move with the whole town because it was on a coal seam.

[@OurWyomingLife]

Oh wow, that had to be an undertaking. Thank you - Mike

[@jjdurrantfarm72]

I'll be coming threw Gillete tomorrow from Wright on my way too Rapid City. I'll wave as I come into town

[@jjdurrantfarm72]

P.s. how did your water heater project turn out?

[@altheanicholls8151]

Good evening Mike,Erin,Mackenzie,Gracie and Logan happy Sunday,nice spending time here with you guys.God bless thanks for sharing the history it's apriciated ,Mackenzie how Bambi doing?

[@OurWyomingLife]

Hi Althea Bambi is good, she lookss cold but dad says she is ok I would go see her more but i get cold Mackenzie

[@altheanicholls8151]

@@OurWyomingLife ok sweetie,try to stay warm,

[@changingwindsfarm2087]

Love all of your videos! Can't wait to see more.

[@OurWyomingLife]

Thank you very much - Mike

[@Xehxna]

Thank you, I love learning history. And I never knew what a boom town was till today so thank you for teaching me something new.

[@OurWyomingLife]

Thank you for watching, its always interesting, or at least I try to make it that way :) - Mike

[@colleensutherlin1777]

Yeah Gillette

[@smoke09able]

Another great history lesson. Enjoyed it!

[@OurWyomingLife]

Thanks Rick - Mike

[@wranther]

An interesting history of your spread Mike! Thank you for your story telling on this January Sunday morning :-) -Bob...

[@OurWyomingLife]

You are very welcome Bob - Mike

[@lindajarrett5078]

great video mike! I usually dont care for anything history, but this was interesting to me. thanks for sharing this with us.

[@OurWyomingLife]

Thank you Linda :) - Mike

[@staceyroberts9561]

Very interesting video nicely done thank for the history of your town

[@OurWyomingLife]

Thanks Stacy -Mike

[@kennethmaser1767]

I rely enjoyed seeing and hearing the story of Gillette Wyoming. I live in New Jersey, where the light bulb was invented and it seems to me that wherever you go in our GREAT LAND there is history that needs to be told. Mike you just did a great job of that. Thanks

[@ssnidely]

ill bet this town doesnt have a problem with toxic masculinity like a certain razor company of the same name. lol

[@jbweld6193]

I dont think there is a town in Wyoming that is soy boy friendly.

[@takayama1638]

Yeah, them razor jerks lost a 55 year customer. Me. Ain't never buying from them again.

[@zhp500]

I was wondering why he picked this time to do the town/name when it could have been put on the "back burner" for a few months until the news cycle had passed.

[@OurWyomingLife]

Because this has nothing to do with that lol. Thanks for watching -Mike

[@ssnidely]

@@OurWyomingLife exactly why i mentioned it. they may share a name but the contrast couldn't be more different. Gillette WY breeds real men while Gillette razors is "the best a ma'am can get" lol

[@BlackSparrowRanch]

I'm really enjoying these history lessons. Please keep them going.

[@OurWyomingLife]

I hope to be able to :) Thanks - Mike

[@YoniNadi]

Our Wyoming Life . I use to live in Douglas from November of 1979 to August of 1980; I was a railroad labor for Burlington Northern. I left that August; and I would travel to Evanston for a few times ; I worked for a construction company for a short time, and then I would drift around traveling to other Wyoming cities including Douglas. Back, and forth between Evanston, and Douglas; I worked in Evanston for an owner of a Husky truck stop; and his employee’s hotel. The employees lived there because like all boom towns the rents were to expensive, and not to many housing was available. What’s it like now in Gillette?

[@hx90horsegymnastics13]

I was also born in gillete in 2002

[@tonyburelle6633]

Fascinating, I love hearing the history of people and places, thank you so much

[@OurWyomingLife]

Thank you Tony - Mike

[@gordmerrick7336]

Mike, with respect, you once mentioned you found out that a lot of your cattle ranching neighbors have something going on the side to generate cash. since looking at your numbers you have provided it all looks like subsistence ranching. In days of yore, it was royalty checks that kept ranches in families. Presumably, on Gilberts's death, the ranch passed to Erin's mom debt-free, fully stocked with paid for machinery and cattle. It is shocking to me to see your numbers on the low-profit margins in your cattle and pigs and your joking that there may need to be part-time McDonald's employment. This is no joke. Good luck with the ranch

[@OurWyomingLife]

And we support multiple families, thanks - Mike

[@CowGirlKat8691]

Makes me proud to call Gillette, Wyoming my home since 2005. < Grew up on a ranch in Idaho and know that our history is important and shows us where we've come from, and that roots matter.

[@elvergontemeto714]

I'm jealous I want to live in Wyoming so bad I recently moved to texas for work but I'd love to live in Wyoming

[@montederrick6482]

I love when you do a video on the history of the ranch and surrounding area. Keep up with the great videos

[@OurWyomingLife]

Thank you Monte - Mike

[@twistedthistleboargoats2200]

Cool

[@OurWyomingLife]

Thank you - Mike

[@goththicus]

I’ve been to Gillette. Stayed overnight at a Super 8 motel. We visited the open pit, and was impressed on how large the machinery. Beautiful town, and friendly people.

[@Joesfosterdogs]

you got a pro announcer voice quality...you are very blessed to have a place called home. you friend are the forgotten America I once loved! if you are a representation of Gillette...then you are a proud town of blessed folks! what advice do you have for someone displaced...no home town anymore. It seems people are so isolated and to themselves home town is a forgotten concept...i am in a small mountain community and no different than the city...fear seems to control people...really has thrown me off because i am nearing retirement age...where?

[@davidgentile5225]

need to get rid of the misinformation commercials about Kari Lake and white supremacists.

[@Joesfosterdogs]

This sounds like the North Dakota boom...in CA, the lost town of Bodie...

[@gentlegracexo]

Just bought a house there, sight unseen. Moving there from SC. Never been, dont know anyone there…Love ❤️ this video! Fav and subbed! (Not gonna lie though..I’d listen to this gentleman read a phone book. Truth. 😉🙃

[@kathynelson1960]

Would you consider Gillette today 2020 a good community to raise a family? AS far as that goes what about retiring in the area of Gillette?

[@MetaView7]

Thank you for the story. You have made it not only educational, but entertaining to learn.

[@dalemartin307]

Good morning Mike..have yall ever ate at Armandos tacos and pasta? Great videos and still wanna meet yall someday

[@787Earl]

Thank you.Your videos are awesome. I enjoyed my visit to Gillette. I love Wyoming in the summer. I was born in Alberta but Texas is my home.

[@OurWyomingLife]

Summer is a good time to be here :) Thanks Earl 0 Mike

[@katnew4408]

Jesus Christ that's way too many wells what an environmental disaster

[@Chemivarian]

As someone who was born in Gillette in 83 and spent my early childhood there it is great to see someone paying tribute to it. I live on another continent now but still Wyoming is a part of me. The quality of the video is great and makes me miss home. Keep up the great work.

[@WPRJersey]

You have done your town a great amount of Justice. I'm so glad to have learned from that. Mike you and your family have been, and always will be a class act. God bless.

[@jeanettewaverly2590]

Great video! I'm loving your history series, Mike! Re: growing up country, my hairdresser was raised on a farm in North Dakota, where she attended a one-room school that boasted a student body of six, lol.

[@OurWyomingLife]

haha, I had 11 in my graduating class. Good times Thanks - MIke

[@KaressaMareko]

My friend just moved to gilette from Phoenix I fear for his sanity

[@steakandeggscynthiar.7714]

Today there are so many people that do not know where they came from, and history of our roots is so interesting. Love the video Mike.

[@OurWyomingLife]

I agree, thank you - Mike

[@timothyball7502]

Albuquerque, November 11, 1951. Yep I have no problem with where I am from. I even have information on my birth. But now Wyoming is home.

[@normangilden3453]

I always can’t wait to get up Sunday morning to see the history story of the day. Thank you.

[@OurWyomingLife]

I cant wait to get to bed Sunday morning haha. Thanks Norman - Mike

[@HeavensGatesCherryFarm]

Great history, love your channel!!!!🍒🍒🍒🍒

[@brandeissports3436]

Very nice history lesson. Thank you.

[@petermavus4131]

History Professor Mike enjoyed your class....The Circle of Life in Gillette

[@OurWyomingLife]

I dont know about that professor thing :) I have good teachers - Mike

[@frickenclutch]

Almost thought this was going to be about the Gillette commercial.........

[@OurWyomingLife]

lol Nope :) - Mike

[@dbirdeycapozzi9807]

Fascinating stories, with a great poem at the end! Thanks Mike 🐂🐄🐃

[@MissMaxine100]

Mike, I am really surprised that you haven't been scooped up by the entertainment industry for your incredible ability to narrate. You have a great voice that reminds me of Bill Kurtis who narrated Cold Case Files, American Justice & other shows. Although you are a fantastic rancher I think maybe you could be making the big bucks in television, LOL!

[@OurWyomingLife]

I worked in radio for years, now I am here :) Thanks - Mike

[@louispaparella5766]

@@OurWyomingLife Bill Kurtis retired to a cattle ranch near Sedan, Ks.

[@waynelewis6250]

Thank you Mike . Very well said

[@zachredner8]

Cool video! My cousin lives about 4.5 hours west of y'all, in Cody WY, and owns a small Auto Mechanic Shop that he started about 10 years ago. He started with just himself doing all of the work. Now he has 3 guys working for him. And he has expanded in the last 2 years into a used car dealership also. I talk to him 4 or 5 times a week, and he tells me how he's freezing "his old ass off," and I tell him "that's why my old ass lives in NC." LOL

[@deecotton5435]

I had no idea the elevation was that high there. I love to never stop learning. Thanks for all y'all do helping keep food on our tables. God Bless and keep on Ranching!!

[@OurWyomingLife]

Thats the plan, thank you - Mike

[@franzjosephi.8692]

I love your Channel😍 and your towns history

[@OurWyomingLife]

Thank you so much - Mike

[@tiolucasoff-roadingcompany2113]

Looks like a place but would I be welcome? AM MEXICAN

[@OurWyomingLife]

You would be. Thanks

[@leonorcummings6616]

Watching videos about WY really draws me more to love the beautiful state and great history of the state. I care about watching the rockies, the great plains where the true cowboys, willd life, the meadows, prairies, amazing sceneries, oil rigs, coal mines are truely beautiful and plentiful. God bless America the beautiful

[@klaysabrosky1521]

I live on a ranch in rozet its 20 miles from gillette

[@46rambo49]

kinda makes a big ole tear come to my eye seeing your history as it is very much like ours with the Piceance and Uintah basins in our area. Then comes Oil shale and all it's affects. We saw 60,000 leave in a little over a week on Black Friday. The creeks still run, the ranchers still work the land, though the Ski areas brought in Pot, Politicians, and all other forms of hate and discontent in my land of love and understanding.

[@OurWyomingLife]

Wow, that is wild, thank you for sharing - Mike

[@tetontom1]

..... you can't even begin to compare Roosevelt to Gillette..... then there's Rock Springs.

[@larryceaser1706]

Great Video Interesting to hear the history of your community Would love to hear more All the best

[@OurWyomingLife]

Thanks Larry - Mike

[@donaldsawyers6751]

I came to Gillette in 1976 to work on the Wyodak power house. I was from the Ozarks of Arkansas. It took a couple of years to get used the wide open country. I really enjoy your videos, keep up the good work.

[@CC-xk6cp]

Hi again! Enjoy these history vids so much Mike. I remember one of my trips through your area when suddenly new homes were popping up and the atmosphere in town was really busy. I was amazed how the landscape had dramatically changed and I pulled along the roadside once to watch the digging into the earth to find all the black stuff. Really something how the boom bust areas of the country seem to go through the same problems with progress only to find different problems in survival. Gillette survived through it all and is there to stay now which is good for you folks. Gilbert lived through all those wild times and hard off to him for making good decisions for the ranch he loved sooo much. I just love the old timers who are still around to tell those takes of history!! Thx so much for doing this series and sharing it Mike. There's a beautiful legacy there for you all right under foot! Lol! Til next time...

[@OurWyomingLife]

Thank you so much !!! -Mike

[@williamdiemert9866]

I was born in Gillette,Wyoming and now live in Gering,Nebraska.

[@timothyball7502]

Aksarben Omaha business men set up that name.

[@mikea1893]

Wow look at you 70,000 subs, 100,000 this year is doable. Keep up the good work. let us know when you get some more of that sweet tasting teriyaki beef jerky, please.

[@OurWyomingLife]

Will do, thanks Mike - Mike

[@pamallinder6021]

Thank you finally i can reply. I understand the love you have had regarding gillette. Too many strangers and abusers. Even gillette home people. You can look up the abuse. I was married 21 years. Never saw people being so abused there. I tried to stand up for a woman. She didn't want me to. All high in the coal minds oil fields etc. Please someone help this little town. I love the people and want to come back. No abuse would be great! Thanx to you for presenting a video. I love the people. They just dont know not to abuse one another.

[@ericchandler90]

Love the history lessons. Keep em comin.

[@OurWyomingLife]

Thank you Eric - Mike

[@ojjenkins7110]

I didn't know you had your own Granby incident. Thanks for more WY history.

[@OurWyomingLife]

Fun times - Mike

[@disasterarea9341]

This was really fascinating, I wonder what the future holds. Coal, Oil & Gas aren't staying with us forever... what needs to happen to places like Gillette to keep them thriving when that happens?

[@nigelabraham5790]

Hi Mike, Nigel Abraham, I love what you do showing your ranch. Keep doing these videos.

[@atr6930]

I'm a 3rd generation Gillette resident. Yes, I feel that connection to the land too, even at the mine where I work.

[@auroranite]

Great history lesson. No idea you are coal country and more. Enjoyed this segment. Thank you

[@featheredhorseclassic4485]

I ❤️ these videos! History is amazing 😉

[@OurWyomingLife]

Thank you Gail - Mike

[@theball7619]

Hello from California..new sub.you guy's are awsom..

[@OurWyomingLife]

Thank you so much, welcome aboard! - Mike

[@MegaGeorge1948]

In Foxboro, Massachusetts, We have the Gillette football Stadium. Our home of the New England Patriot Football team (now heading to the Superbowl BTW). The stadium capacity is 66,829. So it has more capacity than Gillette, Wyoming's 32,398. :-))

[@pamallinder3287]

Swallow whats gonna happen . Our.president is changing our world Move to something for your life. Love you but do different for yourself. Life passes by. Love wyoming 💞

[@judiber2088]

Would this town be a good place for a conservative christian to move to? VERY sick of the hateful WOKE people in the cities.

[@ravenw.navarre9718]

Hey Mike... I would like to thank you for the introduction of Gillette. My family and I will be leaving my home state of California to come to Gillette as our forever home. Personally I am afraid of the weather, but I did live in Michigan for a time, as well as Oregon so I know I will be fine, it's still a little scary. I have also lived in Woodward, Oklahoma in the 80's when it erupted from the oil industry. So it was fascinating to learn about the coal boom, However, your video is a great source for the history of Gillette. You know I had to subscribe and like. Thank you for sharing your experience. I feel like I'm being welcomed. Maybe we might see each other around town. Off to find more videos!! Thnx again!!

[@ryaninnes9920]

My uncle runs my family’s ranch that is about 35 miles from Gillette. The ranch started out as my great grandparents ranch, then my grandparents ranch, now my uncle’s. You might have heard of it, the Innes Ranch.

[@hughstephenson2957]

I remember when Gillette was all north of 90. Only thing south of 90 off 59 was the Broadway TS (Flying J now)

[@fionajane56]

It really is interesting to see what has been before you. As to saying why the ranch is in your bones.....it’s never going to be explainable. At least in words. Anyone who has lived on land and paid attention to it knows how you feel. And it’s not just the size of the land, it’s how connected you are to what you raise on land that is part of it. It does get in your blood. This was a really good video. Thank you.

[@OurWyomingLife]

You said it better than I . Thanks Fiona - Mike

[@redneckgirl3326]

Someone from there once told me that Gillette is Wyoming's answer to Butte. I've only made pit stops there.

[@jameschandler2776]

I used to hunt 10 miles south of Gillette many years ago. I came out every year for about 10 years. It was always a great time and the ranch we hunted on treated us very well. We would usually stay a week at a motel on the west side of town, just north of I-90. We hunted on the Geis ranch. We were probably there from 1980-92.

[@jessehernandez8805]

Your a natural Mike I would watch a story time if you told it. Reminded me of watching Mutual of Omaha back in the 70s. Well written.

[@pamallinder3287]

Love from Seattle ❤

[@hongshi8251]

I'm wondering if a fella couldn't drill some irrigation wells and put in a some wheel lines? If you could grow some decent feed it sure would be better than sagebrush. Also, what does the beef price look like next spring ? I predict a very strong market for the next few years. What are you forecasting?

[@bdeditch]

I have always said if you want to meet the friendliest people, go to Montana, Wyoming, North and South Dakota. Visit it once, and you will want to move in these states.

[@davideastman7083]

I really enjoy them history lessons, by the way that coal mining place you guys have north of Gillette we get coal from that mining company for the power plant out here in southwest Kansas called Sunflower Electric, comes from up there.

[@133dave133]

Being humble in Gillette, has to be a daunting task? That's a tough crowd up there.

[@markvolk4032]

I just found your channel I have lived in Gillette for 38years THANKS for the history I look forward to watching all YOUR videos and MAYBE running in too you and happy to buy you A cup of coffee or A barley pop

[@OurWyomingLife]

That is really cool, thanks Mark ! - Mike

[@pamallinder3287]

Life is changing my friends. You need to have a plan, it won't last. I'm sorry and I love you

[@GerraldFarms]

Another great history video. I remember the man and bulldozer story. Thanks for sharing. Have a good weekend

[@OurWyomingLife]

Our neighbor Gary was right in the middle of that. The stories he can tell . Thanks - Mike

[@williammccowen9894]

Can’t believe I never tripped to fact you guys are right outside Gillette. I have worked up there 4 different times for the railroad

[@gainesarnold3561]

You showed a nap with all the big coal beds. My family came from the Black Warrior bed. I live in the Arkansas Ozarks now. Another place with a lot of history... good and bad.

[@OurWyomingLife]

It is everywhere, thanks for watching - Mike

[@cliffvetter]

Do you have any oil or gas wells producing on your property?

[@rebeccawhite1338]

This was very interesting I lived my childhood in Gillette went to rawhide elementary and twin spruce ( and some others) part of the family still lives there.

[@glennthompson7525]

GREAT video. Good research and well presented. Definitely learned something today and will further enjoy seeing things your perspective and your (now) hometown.

[@OurWyomingLife]

Thank you Glenn - MIke

[@dennisgermain189]

a not commercially viable gas well could still provide enough fuel to generate all the electricity a ranch could use, a de-tune chevy six can run forever on that stuff

[@jerryforeman4543]

Nice job! Luv the poem at the end of the vid! Thanks for sharing!

[@jodysappington7008]

i have a sister in Douglass---nieace in Craig another in Rock Springs and a newphew in Sheridan...they love Wyoming...interesting story...thank you

[@OurWyomingLife]

You are very welcome, thank you Jody - Mike