Cokeville, Wyoming, is situated at the confluence of the Bear River and Smiths Fork valleys in southwestern Wyoming. Settled in 1874, the Cokeville area has experienced much the same political, economic, and social developments typical of other small rural towns in the western United States; but it is unlike neighboring settlements in that it was not dominated by the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints during its early growth. Depending upon an agricultural economic base, Cokeville has been the center of the Lincoln County sheep industry since the early 1900's. Mining has played a minor part in the economy, but never to the extent that it ever seriously threatened the livestock industry. During the last three decades there has been a resurgence of the cattle industry. Cokeville developed in three principal stages: settlement, the boom period of growth, and finally maturity and subsequent decline. Technological improvements in communication and transportation have widened the field of association of local residents causing decline in community spirit.