Timeline of The Dalys of Gillette

The first 100 years

  • 1886 - John T. Daly arrived in Sundance, Wyoming, riding horseback from Beloit, Kansas.

  • 1891 - J. T. Daly opened first general store in Gillette, starting in a tent while a 10' X 14' building was constructed. This was the beginning of Daly Bros.

  • 1894 - Started ranch on 20 Mile Creek. Gray wolves killed half of the calf crop.

  • 1895 - Fire destroyed original store building. A new building was constructed on the site.

  • 1911 - John T. Daly's large brick home was built on Gillette Avenue.

  • 1916 - John T. Daly bought out his brother's (James H. Daly) interest in the store and ranch holdings.

  • 1917 - John T. Daly Jr. left to serve World War l.

  • 1918 - Ranch headquarters moved to Rawhide Creek.

  • 1923-1929 - James H. Daly and Meta Daly lived in California

  • 1924 - John T. Daly home sold to Campbell County to use as Campbell County Courthouse.

  • 1930 - Meta (Mrs. James H. Daly) and children, Helen Louise and James moved to Rawhide Ranch after living in Gillette that winter.

  • 1930's - Ran one of the largest Karakul sheep bands in the U.S.

  • 1938 - John T. and son, James H. Daly purchased Hereford steers in Clovis, New Mexico.

  • 1939 - The Daly store was closed following the death of John T. Daly. It had been in operation in the same location for 48 years.

  • 1939 - First Mexican steers purchased.

  • 1974 - John Daly and Michael Maycock formed partnership and opened the law firm of Daly and Maycock in Gillette.

  • 1974 - John and Sandy Daly had a new home built on the ranch in the area of an old bunk house.

  • 1976 - John M. Daly ranch home, 18 months after completion, was destroyed in fire Aug. 19

  • 1977 - Bad blizzard March 28-29 with cattle losses.

  • 1977 - John M. Dalys moved into rebuilt new home on ranch the latter part of May.

  • 1977 - James R. Daly was installed at the June Wyoming Stockgrowers meeting as president of the organization for a term of two years.

  • 1978 - James R. Daly was installed in August as Grand Master of the Masons of Wyoming to serve until Aug. '79.

  • 1979 - Jill Daly went on dialysis for treatment of kidney failure April 13th.

  • 1981 - Sandy Daly opened a gift store, " The Hope Chest" in Gillette.

  • 1984 - Larry Smith started working on the ranch.

  • 1984 - Bad blizzard isolating Larry Smith at the ranch for three days with Jamie, Brent and Tad. John and Sandy were in Texas. Jim and Liz were in Holland. Peg was alone in Gillette.

  • 1984 - Bought the Ostlund place adding approximately 2600 acres to the ranch.

  • 1986 - "The Hope Chest" closed.

  • 1986 - Sandy Daly was elected to Campbell County School board for a three year term.