 What do the phrases Star of All Valleys, Little Switzerland of America and Starvation Valley all have in common? Well, they're all names once given to a 50-mile long valley located in Western Wyoming known as Star Valley. The Little Switzerland of America moniker stems from its beautiful farm surrounded by steep rugged mountains. The area used to have many dairy herds and produced its own cheeses, which enhanced its claim to the European title. With its gorgeous high alpine settings and mountain backdrops, this valley can still seem like an excursion to the Alps. Primary sources indicate Star Valley was proclaimed the Star of All Valleys for its natural beauty by Mormon pioneers, who came to the area to settle in the late 1870s. When the pioneers first arrived, they enjoyed some mild winters and were cut off guard by some incredibly harsh weather during which a large number of livestock were lost and hardships suffered. This brings us to the final nickname, Starvation Valley. This less supported theory about the origin of the name was gained during bitter winters in the late 1880s, especially in the March of 1889 when over 40 inches of snow fell in two days. So no matter what you call it, get out and make a trip to Star Valley, Wyoming. From the University of Wyoming Extension, I'm Ashleigh Garls, Exploring the Nature of Wyoming.