Freedom was established in 1879, and today it remains the oldest settlement in the
Star Valley. Similar to
Colorado City, Arizona and
Hildale, Utah, the community was settled as a
border town by
Mormon polygamists in order to escape arrest for polygamy: they could be free from Idaho police simply by walking into Wyoming. The community was named for the freedom it gave these early settlers. At one time, Freedom was the largest settlement in the Star Valley. There was a general store, a gas station, billiard hall, and other establishments. Today some of the old buildings still stand, but very few are still in use. The Post Office and Baseball Park are still used, along with the LDS Church, which was built in 1889. The headquarters of
Freedom Arms, a gun factory and maker of a
.454 Casull handgun, is located in the Wyoming portion of the community. ==Demographics==