Torrington is a small Wyoming city 8 miles from Nebraska
Torrington, the county seat of Goshen County, Wyoming, is about 8 miles from the Nebraska border. The city's population is roughly 6,200, according to U.S. Census estimates. Founded in 1900, Torrington began as a railroad town on the Mormon Trail, now known as the Mormon Pioneer National Historic Trail. Today, it's a central commercial spot for the surrounding area, which is agricultural and rural, with farms and ranches. "It's a small community, but it's grown a lot since I was younger. There's a lot going on in Torrington and nearby towns," says Wendy Prado, a Realtor with Simply Real Estate. The North Platte River runs on the south side of town.
From farmhouses to contemporaries and townhouses
Torrington has a variety of homes, from early 1900s farmhouses and bungalows to 20th-century ranch-style homes and 21st-century contemporaries. Torrington's median home price of 230,000 dollars is more than 50% lower than the national number. Small cottages and fixer-uppers can list for under $60,000, whereas homes over 3,500 square feet or on multiacre lots can list for more than $600,000. There also are some manufactured homes and townhouses, typically listed under $300,000. Some homes are within named subdivisions and may have homeowners associations with monthly fees.
Prado, who is also a property manager, notes that there's a supply of rentals in Torrington, including at a couple of income-based apartment complexes on the east side of town. Though the overall risk is low, flooding is possible for home sites closest to the river, and Torrington participates in the National Flood Insurance Program. Additionally, the CAP Index Crime Score is 2 out of 10, compared to the national average of 4.
A downtown Main Street with locally owned boutiques and restaurants
The walkable historical downtown area is set along Main Street. It has a small-town feel with a focus on mom-and-pop shops, restaurants and specialty businesses. "Everyone really likes to support small businesses and family-owned businesses here in town. We've got nice little boutiques with things that you wouldn't find at a mall or Target," Prado says, mentioning two of the shops, Bluebird Boutique and Home on the Range. "And there's Vandel Drug. That's one place downtown that has never changed its location. It used to be a bowling alley." Torrington Main Street Market is here for groceries as well.
Restaurants on Main Street include Broncho Grill House & Bar, Deacon's and La Familia Prado. "It's owned and operated by my husband's family. His mom makes the homemade tortillas every morning," says Prado, who works there sometimes. The Bread Doctor, owned by a local emergency room doctor, is also recommended. "You should see his pastries. It's the kind of bakery that you would think would be in New York City. I'm not kidding. It draws in people from out of state." For the mall scene and big-box stores, people might go to Scottsbluff, Nebraska, about 37 miles away.
Half a dozen city parks, a library and a senior center in Torrington
Torrington has six municipal parks and facilities, including baseball fields, a skate park, tennis and sand volleyball courts and baseball fields. Pioneer Park includes a riverfront campground and RV park with playgrounds, horseshoe pits and WiFi. The river is popular for fishing and floating. "People do tube on the river, which is a lot of fun. There are a lot of drop-offs where you can put in your tube. People have floated all the way from Guernsey to Torrington," Prado says, noting that, at times, the current can be strong. Another activity is walking the Grassroots Trail, a mile-plus path with exercise equipment.
The Goshen County Library offers classes, children's activities and book clubs. For more classes and social activities, older residents visit the Goshen County Senior Friendship Center, which also has weekday meals and health-related services.
Goshen County School District serves students in the area
The Goshen County School District No. 1 serves the area and has a C-plus grade from Niche. Students may attend Lincoln Elementary School for kindergarten through second grade, followed by Trail Elementary School for third through fifth, then Torrington Middle School and Torrington High School. Platte River High School is a district school of choice with small class sizes. High school students may earn college credits from Eastern Wyoming College through a free dual enrollment program.
Employment sectors, commutes to Scottsbluff and Guernsey
Major employment sectors include educational services, health care and public administration. Prado says many people move to Torrington for teaching positions at Eastern Wyoming College, a community college. Another notable employer is the prison, the Wyoming Medium Correctional Institution, which has a capacity for 720 inmates. There are also agricultural businesses, including fertilizer producers and a livestock auction.
Pardo says commuters may drive to Scottsbluff to work at Regional West Medical Center or banks. "People also commute to Lingle, Fort Laramie, and Guernsey, which has a military base," Prado says. Camp Guernsey Joint Training Center, about 30 miles away, is more than 78,000 acres and includes a U.S. Army airfield.
Mostly car-dependent, Torrington is about 85 miles from Cheyenne
Torrington is primarily car-dependent, and U.S. Routes 26 and 85 and state Route 159 are the major roads. Cheyenne, the state capital, is about 85 miles southwest. The Goshen County Senior Friendship Center provides a weekday drop-off transit service and medical rides by reservation. Banner Health's hospital and medical facilities are in the northern part of Torrington.
The BNSF Railway and Union Pacific Railroad freight lines run through Torrington, so there are a handful of railroad crossings. People can expect the usual noise from passing trains, though the city has a noise ordinance in place. The Western Nebraska Regional Airport in Scottsbluff is the nearest airport with passenger flights. United Airways provides daily service to Denver, a connection hub.
Events like the Goshen County Fair and Tailslide AcroRodeo
The Torrington Tailslide AcroRodeo in May takes place at the Torrington Municipal Airport, a general aviation facility. The Goshen County Fair, held for over 75 years, is in late July and early August on the northwest side of Torrington. Highlights include carnival rides, a dog show and baking contests. The Goshen County Homesteaders Museum has hosted the Night at the Boo-seum haunted house in October and a Veterans Day Celebration in November.
Written By
Robin Silberman
