- 3 Essential Wildlife Experiences in Platte County

Whether you are a lifelong resident or a visitor to the beautiful town of Cheyenne, Wyoming, there is certainly more here than immediately meets the eye. Beyond the staggering beauty of the natural landscape, Cheyenne is characterized by a deep history that is wonderfully displayed at a number of sights around town. more Historic Governors' Mansion Completed in 1905, the Wyoming Governors' Mansion has been home to 19 of Wyoming's first families including its first female governor, Nellie Tayloe Ross. The home was entirely modern when it opened, boasting newly available central plumbing, hot water heat, and gas and electrical fixtures. The house was listed on the National Register of Historic Places in 1969, guided by the efforts of Governor Stanley and First Lady Bobby Hathaway. In July 1977, the Governors' Mansion opened its doors as a museum, highlighting the rich history of the home and its role in the growth of Wyoming in the early 1900s. Ames Monument The Ames monument was built in 1882 as a memorial to the influential Ames brothers of Massachusetts who spearheaded the construction of the first coast-to-coast rail system in the United States. This 60-foot high granite pyramid was built by the Union Pacific Railroad Company at the highest point of the original transcontinental route. The Ames Monument is the most western location of the architecture of Henry Hobson Richardson, who infused the monolith with his characteristic energetic style and love of locally sourced construction materials. Cheyenne Depot Museum The Cheyenne Depot Museum's mission is to celebrate the legacy of the many men and women who created the Union Pacific Railroad and the Cheyenne Depot within the city of Cheyenne. The museum tells the story of Cheyenne during the construction of the transcontinental railroad and the importance of this revolutionary concept for Cheyenne and the region as a whole. Beyond the museum and artifacts, the Depot has become a vital cultural and entertainment destination for the greater Cheyenne community. Enjoy special events, music, and a brewpub on the ground floor of this beautifully restored building. Camp Douglas Officers' Club State Historic Site While much is known of the tragic impacts of World War II on sites around the country, it may surprise visitors to this corner of Wyoming to learn of the military operations at Camp Douglas. At over a mile wide, Douglas served as the main Prisoner of War internment camp for the entire state of Wyoming. From the spring of 1943 through the winter of 1946, Camp Douglas housed over 5,000 POWs and nearly 500 army personnel. Although few of the original 180 structures are still standing, murals painted on the side of the Officer's Club are still visible today and are registered on the National Register of Historic Places. With its rich history and beautiful scenery, a visit to Cheyenne and the surrounding area can be an adventure for your senses and a delight for your appreciation of the past. Image via Pixabay

They say breakfast is the most important meal of the day, and there is no shortage of terrific places to find a delicious and nourishing breakfast in Wheatland, Wyoming. Sweet, savory, or a little bit of each, kick start your day with a special morning meal at one of these Wheatland hot spots. more Twisters Located in nearby Guernsey, Twisters is a great spot for any meal of the day. Twisters really shines at breakfast, when a big appetite will be heartily greeted by the legendary Big Salty. Come hungry to savor the freshly baked biscuit topped with two eggs, two sausage patties, cheese, and covered with sausage gravy. Looking for something on the sweeter side? You can't go wrong with one of Twisters' freshly baked cinnamon rolls. Take one (or three) for yourself or grab a dozen to share with the office for instant popularity. Western Sky's Family Diner Western Sky is quintessential home cooking at its finest. Enjoy solid breakfast standards such as a breakfast burrito stuffed with sausage, hash browns, green pepper, onion, chiles, eggs, and cheese. Or perhaps a fluffy waffle is more to your liking, cooked to a crispy brown. Thick Texas French toast is an indulgent and delicious treat, sprinkled with cinnamon and topped with maple syrup for a sweet treat. If you're looking for something on the smaller side, you can't go wrong with a breakfast sandwich. Egg, cheese, and your choice of meat are piled high on an English muffin, biscuit, or toast for a taste sensation with every bite. Lockman's Lunchbox Also located in nearby Guernsey, Lockman's Lunchbox is a cozy all-day diner known for its excellent breakfast options. Settle in for some chicken fried steak smothered with an egg, or a sinful order of fluffy French toast. Consider some of the local favorites such as the corned beef hash served with two eggs and toast, or the mouthwatering Huevos Rancheros smothered with sauce, cheese, and eggs. After breakfast at Lockman's, you may not be hungry again until dinnertime (but if you are, swing back by for their wonderful lunch choices). The Gathering Place The Gathering Place is a local bakery that offers a selection of sweet and savory baked delicacies. Your mouth will water the minute you walk into this cute establishment and smell the aroma of whatever is being freshly baked that day. Go for something new with a delicious slice of breakfast pizza, piled high with cheese, eggs, ham, and bacon. A sticky bun, cinnamon roll, or cannoli is terrific pick-me-up and a great partner to a cup of hot coffee. Freshly baked muffins and their signature fruit kolache pastries filled with cheese, apricot, raspberry, lemon, cherry, or blueberry are well worth a few extra calories. Something about the air in Wyoming demands a hearty and filling breakfast. Check out these great spots for a delicious meal to start your day off well nourished and on the right foot. Image via Pixabay

The cities of Wyoming don't have as much history as an East Coast metropolis like New York or Washington, D.C., but the state capital, Cheyenne, has seen its share of interesting events. After all, settlers had to work hard to make a life for themselves in this part of Wyoming, and the founders of Cheyenne had to work even harder to develop a city that now holds around 100,000 people. In the days of the wild west, Cheyenne was the gateway to the wild frontier. Here are just a few of the more interesting things that have happened over the years. more The Case of Tom Horn A century ago, the town of Cheyenne was buzzing about the murder of a 14-year-old boy and the man who supposedly shot her, Tom Horn. Horn started his career as a U.S. Army scout in Arizona but later became a bounty hunter for the Pinkerton Agency. When he came to Wyoming, he was a range detective, a man who made sure cattle didn't wander off from their ranches or get stolen by greedy neighbors. In 1901, someone shot and killed Willie Nickell. The Nickells were one of two feuding rancher families in Cheyenne, and Tom Horn happened to be working for the other side. A marshal questioned a drunk Horn and supposedly got a confession out of him, but the wealthy families pushed to get him convicted and move attention away from their feud. Thus, the court convicted Horn and sentenced him to death. To this day, it's not clear whether Horn shot the boy, but it's almost certain that he killed other victims. Over 100 Years of Frontier Days The Wild West period was hardly over when Cheyenne put together the first Frontier Day. Cheyenne gave birth to the first formal Rodeo in 1872, just a few years after the Civil War, and in 1897, the local newspaper editor put together the first all-day rodeo festival, Frontier Day. Since then, the festival has expanded to fill an entire weekend and includes both a major rodeo competition and a celebration of Cheyenne's heyday. Women's Suffrage Support Today, Wyoming has a reputation as a conservative state, but back in the 19th century, the Wyoming Territory was ahead of the curve. The first Wyoming congress met in Cheyenne in 1869 and gave women the right to vote during its first session, 51 years before the United States would do the same with the 19th Amendment. In fact, Wyoming had to petition for statehood seven times before being accepted partly because they gave full voting rights to women. Cheyenne and the state of Wyoming have had some interesting times. Over the years, the state has seen the growth of big cattle ranches, the birth of Yellowstone National Park, the failed hunt for gold and silver deposits, and the successful hunt for coal, oil, and copper. Cheyenne may be small as cities go, but do a little digging, and you'll find a deep history. Image via Pixabay