Sheridan Honor Wall - North East Corner of Loucks and Gould.

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ABOVE: THE SHERIDAN HONOR ROLL WAS LOCATED ON THE NORTH EAST CORNER OF LOUCKS AND GOULD STREETS. PHOTO COURTESY OF CAREN SMITH.

At the intersection of Loucks and Gould Streets in Sheridan, Wyoming, once stood a powerful and solemn reminder of a community united in wartime: the World War II Honor Roll. This large, wooden display bore the names of local men and women serving in the Armed Forces—a public testament to sacrifice, service, and small-town solidarity.

Erected during the height of World War II, the board was not merely a decoration. It was a rallying point, a place of remembrance, and a symbol of Sheridan’s deep respect for those who left home to defend freedom.

ABOVE: THE SHERIDAN PRESS, SHERIDAN,WYOMING, APRIL 22,1943, PAGE 1.

On April 29, 1943, the Sheridan Press announced that the county’s honor roll for World War II was nearly ready, just awaiting the printing of names. The names represented Sheridan County’s men and women in every branch of the armed forces. The list had been compiled through weeks of careful research and was described as nearly complete, though the public was invited to help verify accuracy.

The newspaper urged readers to check the master list available at the Chamber of Commerce office, the Whitney Trust building, or the office of Alger W. Lonabaugh at 172 North Main. With only a few days left until the final printing deadline on May 1, 1943, it was emphasized that it was the time for families to ensure their loved ones were represented.

ABOVE: THE SHERIDAN PRESS, SHERIDAN, WYOMING, APRIL 29, 1943, PAGE 1 & 2.

That same article revealed that the honor board would begin lettering on Monday, May 3, and would be officially erected by mid-May. Once installed on the southwest corner (The board went up on the North East Corner) of the block east of the post office, it would become a lasting fixture in Sheridan’s wartime identity.

ABOVE: THE SHERIDAN PRESS, SHERIDAN, WYOMING, JUNE 3, 1943, PAGE 1.

   The Honor Roll appeared to be in place by early June. On June 1, 1943, The Sheridan Press reported its installation, proudly listing the first wave of names. A week later, on June 8, more names were added, and the public was encouraged to continue submitting names of relatives in service.

By June 21, 1943, the board had become an established community landmark, updated with new names on a regular basis. It became common to see families and neighbors gathered at the corner of Loucks and Gould, pointing to names they recognized—sons, daughters, husbands, and friends.

On August 11 and September 19, 1943, additional updates were published, the latter article covering two columns and underscoring the board’s emotional importance. A great photo featuring Wave Ensign Adeline Story (who's name appears on the Wall) was also published on the latter date. These moments were more than civic updates they were reminders of the very real human cost of war.

ABOVE: THE SHERIDAN PRESS, SHERIDAN, WYOMING, SEPTEMBER 19, 1943, PAGE 1.

In April 1944, another series of additions were made. On April 3, April 5, and April 9, the Sheridan Press printed names and urged readers to send any final submissions. These updates were not mere formality—they were deeply personal recognitions of service and sacrifice.

ABOVE LEFT: THE SHERIDAN PRESS, SHERIDAN, WYOMING, APRIL 3, 1944, PAGE 2. ABOVE CENTER: THE SHERIDAN PRESS, SHERIDAN, WYOMING, APRIL 5, 1944, PAGE 1.

ABOVE RIGHT: THE SHERIDAN PRESS, SHERIDAN, WYOMING, APRIL 9, 1944, PAGE 1.

Even near the end of the war, the board remained a fixture of local consciousness. On October 26, 1944, and June 6, 1945, the Honor Roll saw more names and coverage. Families found both pride and sorrow in these updates as victory edged closer.

ABOVE: THE SHERIDAN PRESS, SHERIDAN, WYOMING, OCTOBER 26, 1944, PAGE 1 & 4.

On April 15, 1947, two years after V-E Day, the Sheridan Press  reported the board that was constructed during the early part of WWII was taken down the Saturday before. This article mentions that Alger Lonabaugh said that it was not erected to be a permanent memorial.

ABOVE: THE SHERIDAN PRESS, SHERIDAN, WYOMING, APRIL 15, 1947, PAGE 8.

During my time working in the Wyoming Room at the Sheridan County Fulmer Public Library, we encountered several patrons who came in asking about the World War II Honor Roll, where it went, when it was taken down, and what became of it? While the historical record doesn’t confirm whether it was dismantled or removed in pieces, local legend suggests it was once stored in someone’s garage. Given the sheer size of the structure, that seems unlikely. Yet the fact that, more than 60 years later, people still ask about it speaks volumes. It reminds us that even in small towns, patriotism wasn’t just a sentiment, it was visible, tangible, and etched into the streets and corners of everyday life. Though the Honor Roll no longer physically stands, the names, stories, and community pride it embodied continue to resonate, preserved through memory and the dedication of local historians and newspaper archives.

Sheridan Remembers!

ABOVE: ELSA SPEAR BYRON'S PHOTO OF THE HONOR WALL IN SHERIDAN. PHOTO FROM THE WYOMING ROOM, ELSA SPEAR BYRON COLLECTION

BELOW IS THE TRANSCRIBED NAMES FROM THE HONOR WALL.

I TOOK THE PHOTO FROM CAREN SMITH AND BLEW IT UP AND WAS ABLE TO READ THE NAMES. THERE ARE A LITTLE OVER 1700 NAMES LISTED.

PLEASE LET ME KNOW OF ANY MISTAKES YOU MAY FIND.