Main Street

Main Street. Lander, Wyoming. J.K. Moore, post trader at Fort Washakie, built the large store shown in mid-photo in the early 1880s. It was later to be one of the most elaborate saloons in the entire west, fitted out with glassware and furniture cut in the shape of diamonds. Still later, it was a ladies fancy millinery store, and later yet, a hotel and bar. Just to the left, the building with the Albany Bar sign was built by Eugene Amoretti, Sr. in the summer of 1891 at the corner of Second and Main. Lander's first telephone exchange was located here, on the second floor. , To the right, the tall angular building, just down the street was the Bossert Building built by T.J. Bossier in 1893-1894. Bossert was the first to operate his store on a cash only basis. The building was later used as a theater and still later as a Piggly Wiggly Store. The Amoretti and Bossert buildings are still standing.The JK. Moore building was torn down in 1917 to make way for the Lander Auto Building. It was the Zanetti Bus Barn when it collapsed under the weight of snow in 1985. This photo probably dates from 1912-1915. -- Tom Bell - 1991