 Imagine, if you will, bar room brawls, gunfights, and cowboys trailing cattle across the wild prairies. This is what early Converse County looked like before settlers brought civilization to the area. Converse County was initially created around 1886 from portions of Albany and Laramie counties. It was named for Amatsa Converse, who was a banker and pioneer from Cheyenne. The county originally included land which is now in Nyebara County, and Lusk was in the running for being chosen as the county seat. This honor was eventually given to Douglas, after residents were seemingly allowed to vote as many times as they wanted for their chosen town. Today, Converse County is much more modern. The railroad, mining, tourism, and agriculture are the dominant industries, and the county tends to experience the boom and bust cycles common to Wyoming. If you are ever in the area, stop and check out the Thunder Basin National Grassland, the Palean Fossil Museum, and Fort Fetterman. Visit in August to take in the annual Wyoming State Fair, which has been held in Douglas since its inception in 1905. If you have not been lucky to see one in the wild, stop by Jackalope Square in downtown Douglas, Wyoming. This nocturnal creature has been evading detection since before settlers came to the area. From the University of Wyoming Extension, I'm Ashley Garles, Exploring the Nature of Wyoming.