You might be interested in Michael Cassity's work. He's a public historian (though possibly trained in archaeology) who's done work for the State of Wyoming's historic preservation and parks divisions, including Wyoming Will Be Your New Home: Ranching, Farming, and Homesteading in Wyoming, 1860-1960 (2011) and Lives Worth Living, History Worth Preserving (2010). He does have a web presence and has links to his extended career or publications there on his about page, some of which may be of interest. I'm not sure if he's emeritus or simply left the academy in light of his consultation and other writing / photography / etc. It might give you some leads, at the very least. Some of our Americanists might have other accessible entry points, at least for the southeastern part of the territory, as in the 1870s such areas of homesteading were kind of spotty and tied to major lines of communication.