The Star Valley Historical Society submitted “The Making of a Star Stud” by Ron Galloway to the Wyoming State Historical Society for consideration in the organization’s annual awards program.

The book, a history of the lumber industry in Afton, brought home a first place honor from the state.

Galloway’s research and publication was honored as part of the Star Valley Historical Society’s annual dinner Nov. 20.

“It’s a great book, it tells the history of the lumber industry that was prevalent for so many years,” Star Valley Historical Society President Ron Anderson said. “It brought in a lot of good jobs and lasted a long time. It’s a well done history.”

Anderson acknowledged Galloway’s work and the number of years he managed the operations of a key Star Valley industry. “He knew about it and he recorded it in this book,” Anderson said.

He pointed out the Star Stud product was shipped throughout the nation.

In a SVI Media Feature report published in the Star Valley Independent May 15, 2024, Galloway said of the Star Studs lumber operations, “It was an amazing piece of workmanship and it was the people that made it happen.”

When asked about what made him most proud about the book, Galloway said it was the people who are in it. “The sawmill is gone. The property has been broken up and sold for other purposes and it’s never going to come back” Galloway stated. “The mill was one of the major employers in the valley. The people were excellent. The employees gave 110% on everything they did.”

Galloway was invited to a banquet this past September in Sheridan to be presented with his award, but was unable to attend for health reasons. In addition to a certificate, he was given $100.

In the middle of writing the book, Galloway suffered a stroke. He finished writing the book after his stroke when he was unable to walk.

Semiquincentennial

The Star Valley Historical Society will be planning events and projects around the United States Semiquincentennial in the coming year as the nation celebrates the 250th anniversary of the U.S. Declaration of Independence.

“We want to do something for the Semiquincentennial, the signing of the Declaration of Independence,” Anderson said. “In doing so we want to record our history with families and communities.”

He added, “We encourage people to record their histories and to study the histories of their families as it relates to this event.“

Anderson was re-elected at the November meeting to continue serving as president of the historical society.

“The Star Valley Historical Society is a great organization,” he concluded. “We have a lot of support but we need more. We need younger people to get involved.”

The Star Valley Historical Society meets on the third Thursday of every month. Meeting times and locations are listed at svinews.com.