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The Wild West Wonder of Wyoming

Cheyenne, Wyoming, capitol of the state, oldest and largest city of the state, and an industrious city since the very beginning.  When it was surveyed in 1867, the original site of Cheyenne was in the Dakota territory and the folks around the area thought that the Union Pacific Railroad would help the town grow quickly. Four months later when the tracks were laid, over 4000 people had arrived and set up shops. Many Eastern news editors wrote that the town grew like magic and the town was called the "Magic City of the Plains". Many riffraff soon showed up, although the town became the supply station for about 15 forts on the frontier plains. The town got its name from one of the fiercest forces on the plains, the Cheyenne, who plagues the surveyors, immigrants and construction crews, which necessitated the numerous forts being built on the plains.

It became the capital of the Wyoming territory and the cattle stockyards were located there to help in the loading and transportation of cattle. The Wyoming Stock Growers Association was born and the organization had its meetings at the Cheyenne Club. Since it was actually raised to take care of the huge herds of cattle coming into the rail yards, the city today has preserved one of the 8 locomotives known as Big Boys left. These huge steam engines were built to haul up to 100 cars over the Rockies going 50 miles per hour. The Big Boy now is in Holliday park in the center of Cheyenne. The last 2 steam engines of the Union Pacific are serviced here and used for excursions around the county and display.  In the late 1880s, a notorious murderer was caught beyond Fort Laramie and brought to Cheyenne, where it was found that he may have cannibalized people. Another famous individual, Tom Horn, a Pinkerton agent accused of being a hit man for the Stock Growers association was hung in Cheyenne a day before his 43rd birthday and some believed he was innocent of that murder.

The first telephone directory was printed for the state's telephone and telegraph, on yellow page because white was in short supply. It most probably began the "yellow pages" of today. 
The Black Hills are located to the northeast, and when gold was discovered, Cheyenne continued it growth pattern; making the city one of the richest in the world for a time.  As cattle barons located to the area, more people, materials and growth came to the city of Cheyenne.  Located just below the majestic Rocky Mountains, the plains surrounding the city were a perfect place for growth and transportation.  Some of the goods manufactured in the area and shipped from the city include: construction materials, lumber, dairy, metal products, petroleum, wood, machinery and dairy products.

In 1957, the nearby Warren Air Force base became the first site to have ICBMs located there.  The military installation is still a place to see and visit, with much memorabilia located in the museum.  The base itself is rich and interesting in history.  From its humble beginnings of protesting the railroad and its workers, it has helped this country's efforts in all of its conflicts.  In the 1860s, black soldiers came there and were dubbed "buffalo soldiers" by the Indians, who considered them to be spiritual representatives of the mighty buffaloes.  In 1876, forces from the fort were involved in the Great Sioux Indian Wars, where Lt. Col. George Custer was defeated.  Again 1898, members of the fort were sent to Cuba to assist in the Spanish-American War.  The National Guard was called to duty in the Second World War and sent to the Philippines; and in the battle for Manila, the battalion was the first to enter the city and raise the American flag.  

The area is steeped in historical contradiction because of the Wyoming Cattle Growers Association and their war with the many settlers coming into the region to start homes and farms.  It set the stage for the infamous Johnson County Wars, which set the cattle barons and their hired gunslingers against settlers, farmers and anyone that seemed suspicious.  It started many legends of the wild west and no one will really know the truth since so many stories, books, movies, theories and articles in the newspapers have taken one side or the other.  It was a wild time there is no doubt about it and many people on both sides died.  It is also unfortunate that some were innocent people caught at the wrong place at the wrong time.  Some of the more well known stories involved Shane, the Hole in the Wall gang, Johnson County Wars, the Cheyenne Social Club, Riders of Judgment,  Heaven's Gate and the Virginian.  Much of this history is still alive today in Cheyenne with the museums, theaters and Gunslingers.

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Each year, in the last week of July, the largest outdoor rodeo in the world is held during the Cheyenne Frontier Days.  Over 3o thousand people come to see the rodeo, historic tours, gunslingers, a carnival, other features and many events.  Some of the outstanding landmarks in the city are the State Capitol building, the Botanic Gardens, Nagle Warren mansion, the governor's mansion, many churches, the Union Pacific Depot, and the F.E. Warren Air Force base, that is the U.S.'s oldest active post; originally Army, when the Air Force broke off in the late 40s, it became an A.F. base.  With over 50 historical buildings listed on the National Register of Historical Places, Cheyenne is a fabulous city to visit. Also included besides the ones above, the Atlas Theater, the Storey Gymnasium, First United Methodist Church, St. Mary's Catholic Cathedral, and St. Mark's Episcopal Church.

With its central location and the importance of the railroads to the settlement and growth of the west, Cheyenne is overflowing with places to go and things to do. There are numerous landmarks that are part of the history of Cheyenne and the western United States. The Wyoming State Capitol building, the Wyoming State Museum, the Cowgirls of the West Museum and Gift Store, Engine 1242, F.E. Warren Air Force Base Museum, the Historic Downtown Walking Tour, Laramie County Library, horse drawn carriage tours, Messenger Museum, and even an archaeological dig site by the University of Wyoming. The marvelous relics and artifacts found at the dig are sent to the Archaeology museum, where visitors are told and shown how the items were found and brought to the museum, as well as how each piece was uncovered, handled and taken to the museum. There is a concrete path to the dig site from the museum and an exciting way to spend the day. Some of the pre-historic relics date back over 11,000 years. The Wyoming's Governor's residence is open to the public for tours also. The Dusty Bottums - Mountain horseback riding tour is approximately 1 hour and takes you on horseback through the Curt Gowdy State Park near Granite Reservoir at Aspen Grove Trailhead. The Texas Trail museum is close by in Pine Bluffs built to preserve the history of the Laramie County area. And last by not least, is the exhibit at the location of Tom Horn's hanging. Wonder if his ghost still haunts the place in the dead hours of the morning.

There are many exciting events occurring in Cheyenne through the year, including, Super Day, the yearly first day of the National Parks and Recreation month; Cheyenne Frontier Days, when the rodeo called the daddy of the m all is a festival that brings in thousands from near and far. During the month of October is the Oktoberfest, Goblin Walk at Halloween, with the haunting ghost tours; and the annual Christmas Parade.
Nearby is the Medicine Bow National Forest and the Colorado Rockies, where skiing is fantastic. One of the different but interesting types of shows held in the city is Gunslingers, a recreation of wild west events, western skits and gunfights; quite a sight to see in the Old Town Square.

The old Union Pacific Depot has been renovated to its pristine start and now houses a museum with wonderful historical relics of the railroad's past glories, a restaurant, exhibits and interactive demonstrations. The modern day railway is now the trolley and historic tours take about 1 and a half hours to do. Well worth the time, as you hear about the city's great history and see where all the hot spots are. Cheyenne is home to numerous great museums; the Cheyenne Frontier Days Old West Museum and Store, the Nelson Museum of the West and the Governor's mansion which have been beautifully restored and renewed with the influx of 1 million dollars. Nelson's Museum holds more than 18000 square feet of outlaw memorabilia, weapons of the 1800s, Indian artifacts, cowboy gear and exhibits dedicated to the cowboys and Indians of the old west.

One of the most memorable places to visit is the Terry Bison Ranch spanning 30,000 acres of hills and grasslands flowing into Colorado, and home to 3000 buffalo.  This is the way the old west once was with fishing, train and motor tours of the herds, horseback riding, bison drives and great stick to the ribs outdoor cooking.  Many other creatures are located here to pique your curiosity, besides the horses, longhorn steers, camels, llamas, donkeys, goats, emus, peacocks, chickens, turkeys and other wild animals; you will see turkins (1/2 chicken, 1/2 turkey) and of course beefalo (1/2 buffalo and 1/2 steer).  Old Number 4004, as it is known is the largest coal-powered steam engine in the world and resides in the Holliday Park in Cheyenne.  Made to pull 3600 tons over the mountains between Cheyenne and Ogden, Utah, many of the steep grades were hair raising rides. 

The city's famous Big Boots, 17 in all, are located throughout the city and many people make a game of finding them all. They are beautifully painted by local artists and stand 8 feet tall, created for the history of Cheyenne and Wyoming.   Affectionately called "these boots are made for talking".  The Cheyenne Botanical Gardens are in Lions Park and is free to the public.  There is a solar powered conservatory, many beautiful plants, and the home of Engine 1242, the oldest train in Wyoming.  Handicapped, young and seniors volunteer to care for this amazing sanctuary in the midst of the plains.

Lions Park is a fantastic park to visit or spend some time. There's a beach by the lake, with boating, canoeing, fishing, volleyball, softball, swimming pool, fitness trail, amphitheater, horse shoes, play areas, mini golf, rental shelters and naturally, restrooms. There are large grills to cook on in some of the areas by the shelters and near Sloans Lake. Besides the Big Boy steam engine, Holliday Park contains volleyball, pond, tennis courts, restrooms, picnic areas, horse shoes, basketball courts, bike path, play areas and rental shelters. These areas are just great and to the visitor, a serene place to relax, rejuvenate and enjoy the scenery.

If you are in the mood and up to the task of taking a road trip, Yellowstone National Park is a good day's ride from Cheyenne.  Home to the geyser, Old Faithful, this is one of the most beautiful and majestic parks in the United States.   Spanning almost 3500 square miles, this park sits atop the largest active supervolcano in North America, called Yellowstone Caldera.