In the early 20th century, the State of Wyoming set up a “Board of Immigration to promote immigration to Wyoming,” both from the rest of the U.S. as well as from foreign countries. The annual report from the Board in 1911 stated: “301,000 pieces of literature” were distributed and “42,000 letters” were answered during the year. “At least 175 people moved to the state as a direct result.” The report added: “Not more [came] because of the State’s reputation.” The report said: “People of Wyoming have not properly attended to their own advertising. They have allowed outsiders to gain their only knowledge of the state through reading lurid tales of the barrenness of our deserts, the outlawry of our citizens, and the general undesirability of everything pertaining to the state.” The report concluded: “Thousands have gained their estimate of Wyoming by being swindled…”
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