Introduction to Cheyenne, Wyoming
Cheyenne is the capital of Wyoming and is located in Laramie County. The city was established in 1867. The town took the name of the well known Cheyenne Indian nation. More than 50 locations in the city are part of the National Register of Historical Places. The municipality is home to the prominent F.E. Warren Air Force Base.
History
In 1867 a railroad track was being laid down in the Cheyenne area for the Union Pacific Railroad. Due to the arrival of the railroad, approximately 4,000 people moved to the city with the notion that Cheyenne would become a thriving area. A significant amount of the employment in the region was due to the building of the railroad. After it was completed the majority of the people moved out of the town. Later, it became inhabited by soldiers, workers from a supply base known as Camp Carlin, gamblers, miners, cowboys and thieves. Cheyenne became known as a rough town and was filled with saloons and numerous theaters.
Cheyenne was the only major town in the Wyoming Territory. It became a prominent location for loading cattle on the trains including cattle from the well known Wyoming Hereford Ranch. Cattle magnates in the region enjoyed staying in Cheyenne during the summer. The famous Cheyenne Club was filled with prosperous cattle barons. The building was extravagantly furnished and was similar to clubs located in England.
Transportation
The city is served by the small Cheyenne Regional Airport. The Denver International Airport is the nearest major airport.
Attractions
- The State Capital Building has been designated as a National Historic Landmark and is available to the public
- The Union Pacific Railroad Depot is a National Historic Landmark
- Historic Governor's Mansion
- The Big Boy Steam Engine was constructed to pull trains over the Rocky Mountains at high speeds. The Big Boy Steam Engine is one of eight Big Boys showcased in the country
- Cheyenne Botanic Gardens
- The Atlas Theatre
- The prominent Cheyenne Frontier Days features popular rodeos
- Holiday Park
- Our Lady of Peace Shrine
- The Terry Bison Ranch features a vast number of Bison and numerous horses, camels, longhorn steer, ostriches, goats and other species of animals
Museums
Cheyenne is home to numerous noteworthy museums including:
- Wyoming State Museum
- The Nelson Museum of the West
- Old West Museum & Store
- Messenger Museum
Higher Education
Cheyenne is home to the Laramie County Community College.
