麻豆AV

Hunters and gathers, explorers, pioneers, cowboys, and entrepreneurs are just a few who have called the state of Wyoming home. The history of Wyoming dates back several thousand years, with the first residents traveling from Siberia through modern-day Alaska. Several Native American tribes have resided in the state, including the Crow, Ute, Arapaho, Cheyenne, and Shoshone. The first to explore the area were French-Canadian brothers Francois and Louis-Joseph, the sons of Pierre Gaultier de Varennes, sieur de La Verendrye. They were in search of a route to the Pacific Ocean. Another explorer, John Colter, gave vivid descriptions of Jackson and Yellowstone. Wyoming鈥檚 economy was dominated by fur trading between 1825 and 1840. However, by the spring of 1860, the Pony Express carried mail across the state, and in 1867, the train arrived. The Wyoming Territory was created in 1868, and Wyoming officially became a state in 1890.

Gillette

Gillette is known for its ranchers, cowboys, and homesteaders. The city鈥檚 namesake comes from Edward Gillette, an engineer and surveyor who found a shorter route for the railroad by five miles, which helped to reduce costs and save money. The town grew after the railroad, and in 1892 Herbert A. Alden became Gillette鈥檚 first mayor. Despite the city booming with hotels, bars, brothels, and cafes, the movement of the railroad commissary to Sheridan caused a decline in the population of Gillette. Currently, the town continues to offer a glimpse of history with the Rockpile Museum, which features exhibits of rifles, saddles, Native American artifacts, and fossils. The Downtown Historic District also boasts an array of architectural styles of residential and commercial buildings. Visitors can witness Victorian Italianate, Victorian with Queen Anne elements, Classical Revival, Neo-Classical, and Art Deco architectural styles, which include different building materials such as brick and concrete blocks. History lovers and architectural enthusiasts will relish all Gillette has to offer.

Laramie

In the southeast corner of the Laramie Plains, the city is named after the Laramie River. For more than 10,000 years, humans have been present in the area. Native American tribes came in pursuit of large game. In 1817, French Canadian explorer Jacques La Ramee is credited as one of the first explorers of the region. The introduction of the railroad brought more settlers as well as the construction of Fort Sanders. The departure of railroad crews eventually led to a decline in the population, resulting in about 800 residents. Cattle and sheep ranching continued.While not located in the city of Laramie, the Fort Laramie National Historic Site, about 100 miles to the east, offers visitors a rich historical experience.Tourists can explore the site, which was initially a fur trading post frequented by the Lakota (Sioux) and later became a military garrison . A Fort Laramie audio tour is also available to individuals curious about the city's history. The audio tour includes a narration, reading of journals, and the sounds of the fort. A walk around the Confluence trail from the Old Army Bridge to the North Platte and Laramie Rivers offers a tranquil opportunity to experience the breathtaking views. Laramie is a town that won鈥檛 disappoint any traveler because it is rich in history and blanketed in nature.

Rock Springs

Rock Springs was once known as a coal miner鈥檚 paradise. Captain Howard Stansbury first noticed the vast coal deposits in Rock Springs in 1850. By 1868, the town grew with the opening of the first coal mines. The population continued to grow with the establishment of the railroad, and many immigrants traveled to Rock Springs to live and work. In 1870, Chinese workers became the largest ethnic group in the area. However, racial divisions led to the Rock Springs Massacre in 1885, when 28 Chinese immigrants were killed. The tragedy did not stop the town from blossoming into a multi-cultural melting pot with 56 nationalities represented. Coal mining continued in Rock Springs until 1963. The Rock Springs Historical Museum, built in 1894, features artifacts, photographs, and information on the 56 nationalities that make up the town鈥檚 rich history. Rock Springs also offers a historic walking tour where you can learn about the local history, visit an original railroad depot, and view a statue dedicated to the miners who called this town home. A visit to Rock Springs is similar to taking a step back in time and experiencing the early history of Wyoming.

Sheridan

Settled in the north-central part of Wyoming, Sheridan sits at 3,743 feet. Originally home to the Crow Indians,Sheridan was named in honor of General Philip Sheridan, a Union cavalry leader in the Civil War.John Loucks, a Civil War veteran and early promoter of the town purchased 40 acres in the area. Loucks was sitting above the Goose Creek Valley when he looked down below and envisioned a city named Sheridan. In 1884, Loucks became the first mayor of the town. The Burlington & Missouri Railroad came in 1892, bringing a diverse population to the area, including African Americans, Hispanics, and many immigrants from Europe and Asia for work in the coal mines. By 1910, the population had grown from 1,559 to 8,404. The town was bustling with bars, pool halls, and brothels. In addition to mining, Sheridan鈥檚 economy included mills, agriculture, and ranching.

These days, the town is a retail and service center for Sheridan County and surrounding areas. Visitors to the city can enjoy a trip to the Trail End State Historic Site, where the Flemish Revival Historic House Museum sits. Built in 1913, the museum was the previous home to US Senator John B. Kendrick. The sprawling 13,748-square-foot structure features exhibits and displays of daily life, changing technology, and twentieth-century ranching in the Northern Plains. A downtown historic tour of the town encompasses 70 historic buildings, including the Sheridan Inn, once operated by William F. Cody (Buffalo Bill) and Fort Mackenzie. History lovers can use the digital features of a walking tour by scanning quick response codes on the windows of buildings to learn more historical information.

Evanston

Evanston began as a railroad town and grew as new settlers arrived. Early settlers were entrepreneurs in banking, grocery stores, hotels, restaurants, and bars. Churches, coal mines, farms, and ranches also added to Evanston鈥檚 economy. The first courthouse was built in 1873, and by 1906, a 3-story federal courthouse and post office were added to the skyline. Two historical buildings worth seeing in Evanston are the Uinta County Courthouse and the Chinese Joss House Museum. The former was built in 1873 in the center of the town square. By 1874, an addition was added, and in 1910, a 2-story addition was constructed at the front and west of the original building. The 1910 addition was designed in the Georgian Revival style. The Uinta County Courthouse is the oldest courthouse building in Wyoming. The Chinese Joss House Museum recounts the story of Chinese immigrants who lived and worked in Evanston from the 1870s to the 1930s. The museum features a model of Chinatown, historical photographs, and artifacts. Evanston is one small historical town that will not disappoint.

Green River

Named after the Green River, this small town was a hotspot for communications. Initially inhabited by the Shoshone and Ute Native American tribes, the Green River was once part of the transcontinental telegraph and airmail route. The first expedition to the area was by Major John Wesley Powell, who explored the Green and Colorado Rivers in 1869 and 1871. By 1872, railroad construction flourished in Green River, and the town boasted one of the busiest rail yards in the US. Mineral extraction and livestock production added to Green River鈥檚 economy. The city enjoyed economic growth with abundant oil, gas, and trona. In 1938, the Mountain Fuel Supply Company discovered large trona deposits west of Green River, leading to increased mining and a population boom.

Currently, the railroad continues to be a significant part of the town. However, the population has fluctuated over the years. Green River offers natural beauty as well as historical landmarks. Expedition Island National Historic Landmark provides visitors with the starting point of the two expeditions led by Powell. Tourists can enjoy tubing, kayaking, and rafting down the river. The Sweetwater County Historical Museum offers a glimpse into the past with temporary and permanent exhibits featuring photographs and historical research of the area. Stories of Native Americans, fur trappers, railroad workers, cowboys, and coal miners are also available to patrons. If you love history and nature, explore the wonder and excitement of Green River.

Riverton

Before it was home to over 10,000 residents, Riverton was a gathering place for many indigenous people and mountain men. Founded in the late 1800s, The town was named Riverton due to its location at the convergence of the Big and Little Wind Rivers. Riverton is at the union of the Big and Little Wind Rivers and has been called the Rendezvous City. In its early years, Riverton was a hub for ranching and mining. In the present day, it is a commercial and educational center. The Wind River Heritage Center is a history buffs paradise featuring farm equipment from the 1900s, a trapper鈥檚 cabin, and an arrowhead collection. It is also home to a wildlife and historical wax museum. A walking tour of Riverton is also a great way to absorb the local history. The tour features places like the Lapeyre Hotel, built in 1907 and one of the first hotels in the town, and the Chicago-Northwestern Railroad Depot. Riverton is a great town for any historical enthusiast.

Jackson

This is a city worth seeing. Jackson is in the 60-mile valley known as Jackson Hole on the southern end. People first lived in the area about 11,000 years ago. Native American tribes such as the Bannock, Blackfoot, Crow, Shoshone, and Arapaho used the area for seasonal camping and travel routes. In 1884, two homesteaders were registered in the area, and by 1900, the population had grown to 640. The attraction to Jackson brought more residents, and by the 1920s, around 1,400 people resided there. Today, Jackson is known as a popular skiing destination. However, the nature and rich past continue to attract visitors. The Jackson Hole Museum, founded in 1958 by archeologist Slim Lawrence and businessman Homer Richards, features historic newspapers, photographs, maps, and exhibits of the town鈥檚 longstanding history. North of Jackson is the Grand Teton National Park home to glaciated mountains and lakes as well as abundant wildlife. Visitors to the park can enjoy hiking and camping in the picturesque beauty. If you are looking for a place that offers tranquility and history, Jackson is one of the best places to start.

Cody

Named and founded by Colonel William F. Cody, known as Buffalo Bill, the town of Cody is surrounded by mountains on three sides. When he first saw the area in the 1870s, Buffalo Bill was impressed by its rich soil, hunting, and spectacular scenery. He went back to the area and founded the town in 1896. These days, Cody has around 9,500 year-round residents and is a popular stop for many visiting Yellowstone National Park. The city offers many opportunities for hunting, fishing, and exploring the area's lively history.

The Buffalo Bill Center of the West is one stop you don鈥檛 want to miss in Cody. The center was brought to fruition by Mary Jester Allen, the niece of Buffalo Bill, who started the museum in 1927. It now includes five museums in one location: the Buffalo Bill Museum, Plains Indian Museum, Cody Firearms Museum, Draper Natural History Museum, and the Whitney Western Art Museum. Another key feature of the area is the Buffalo Bill Dam, completed in 1910. The dam was one of the first to have concrete arches and is 325 feet high. The visitors center includes working models, videos, and native animal taxidermy. Cody is an excellent place for Buffalo Bill admirers or anyone who wants a bit of Western history.

Lander

Originally home to the Shoshone Indians, Landers was established in 1884 and sits at an elevation of 5,360 feet. Named after Colonel F. W. Lander, the town is associated with the westward migration of the 1800s and is close to the Oregon Trail. In 1867, gold deposits were discovered in the area, attracting more visitors and boosting the mining industry. Lander is known for ranching, lumber, and iron ore deposits. Those interested in a trip to the town can visit the assumed burial site of Sacagawea just north of Lander at the Wind River Indian Reservation. The city also has many museums, including the Museum of the American West, the Fremont County Pioneer Museum, the Lander Children鈥檚 Museum, and the Evan Dahl Memorial Museum.

Discover Wyoming's Timeless Charm

Wyoming offers abundant nature and a colorful history dating back thousands of years. From the mining towns of Rock Springs to Riverton and the vast beauty of Green River and Jackson, archeological enthusiasts and nature lovers can find peace and excitement in all that Wyoming has to offer. Start your journey in the land where the Ute, Shoshone, Arapaho, Cheyenne, and Crow Indians call home and take in the wonder of Wyoming.