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
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
The frontier life is alive and well in Wyoming. In Cheyenne and across the state, you can find plenty of places where city slickers can experience the life of a cowboy, whether it's by visiting a museum or getting more hands-on experience at a Wyoming dude ranch. If you want to know what the state was like back when it was just a territory, head over to one of these Wyoming attractions. Don't be afraid to get your hands dirty! more Frontier Days Old West Museum If you're in Cheyenne, stop by the Frontier Days Old West Museum on Carey Avenue. Frontier Days has been an annual event in Cheyenne since 1897, and in 1978, the locals opened a museum documenting the history of the event and exhibiting artifacts that date back to the Old West period of Wyoming's history. Today, the museum has one of the biggest collections of authentic horse-drawn carriages in the country, and they regularly display exhibits of folk and Native American art. Vee Bar Guest Ranch You'll find the Vee Bar Guest Ranch on Snowy Range Road. At Vee Bar, guests can assimilate to ranch life as much or as little as they like, and the ranch's horseback riding trails have options for every skill level. Guests can also try their hand at fly fishing, hiking, trap shooting, or herding cattle. The ranch's cabins offer a lovely view of the Little Laramie River, and they serve an old-fashioned buffet three times a day. Nelson Museum of the West The Nelson Museum of the West is another Cheyenne attraction. Located on Carey Avenue between 17th and 18th streets, this museum focuses more on the history of the West as a whole rather than the history of Frontier Days, and they display the broad spectrum of cultures brought to the American West by settlers, American Indians, and Mexican charros. They also have a section devoted to American military history throughout every time period. A Bar A Ranch A Bar A Ranch is tucked away on the west side of the Medicine Bow-Routt National Forest along the North Platte River. With over 100,000 private acres and a national forest to explore, the ranch is one of the oldest and biggest guest ranches in the country. You can participate in classic dude ranch activities like horseback riding and fly fishing, but the ranch also offers tennis, golf, a heated swimming pool, and skeet shooting. Even their meals are gourmet creations inspired by Western frontier cooking. In Wyoming, you can experience as much or as little of the Wild West as you like. You can see authentic artifacts in a museum, practice your horse riding skills at a guest ranch, or act out your cowboy fantasy at one of the many ranches that still herd cattle through the high plains. If you're fascinated with the Old West or if you're a city slicker who wants to try something new, plan your trip to Wheatland, Wyoming, today! Image via Pixabay
