 When a county starts out named Pease County, you'd think it'd be pretty peaceful. Well, that isn't the case, as the now Johnson County, Wyoming has a pretty infamous history. It has been the home to Native Americans, cattle barons, outlaws, and minors to name a few. You may have heard of the Johnson County War in the late 1800s, as it has become a symbolic story of the Wild West. It was a series of range conflicts between large cattle companies and small family settlers. As in all good westerns, there was some cattle wrestling, a posse, lynchings, shootouts, and the U.S. cavalry. The Hole in the Wall gang and Butch Cassidy's Wild Bunch found Johnson County to be a great hideout after their outlaw exploits. They met at a cabin in the secluded and easily defended hole in the wall pass. The cabin is now preserved at Trail Town in Cody. The Bighorn Mountains cover the west side of the county. There are great views, abundant wildlife, fishing, and recreational opportunities. Cattle and sheep can be seen grazing in the open meadows as ranching is still an important industry in the county. Herders from the Basque region were crucial for tending the large sheep flocks that once roamed the area. The Basque culture continues to thrive today with an annual festival in Buffalo. Keep your eye out for renegades and rustlers, because it really is like a step back into the Wild Wild West as you come through Johnson County. From the University of Wyoming Extension, I'm Mae Smith, Exploring the Nature of Wyoming.