Cheyenne

Cheyenne History

   Wyoming's capital and the largest city in the state, Cheyenne is an attractive and vibrant city — the political, economic and cultural hub of the picturesque Northern Plains.
   Cheyenne has a proud past and a promising future. The city got its start July 4, 1867, when the Union Pacific Railroad roared into Wyoming on its way to the West Coast. The town site was first surveyed by Army Gen. Grenville M. Dodge, who planned the railroad's route. Dodge set up a major railroad terminal at this campsite on the plains, naming the town “Cheyenne” for an Indian tribe that roamed the area.
   When the first train pulled in on Nov. 13, 1867, the town snowballed to 4,000 residents almost overnight. Cheyenne soon garnered the nickname “Hell on Wheels,” a reference to its rowdy, transient enterprise. The first businesses to arrive at the new railhead were ones that traveled along with the Union Pacific on its way west. Set up in tents with false storefronts, they were mostly drinking and gambling establishments that catered to the rough-and-tumble and often lawless life of railroad builders, cowboys and ranch hands.
   Still, the town was carving its higher destiny as a thriving western center.  When the Wyoming Organic Act created Wyoming Territory in July 1868, Cheyenne was the only contestant for territorial capitol. By 1869, the town was home to a diverse group of residents, including soldiers from Fort D.A. Russell (now F.E. Warren Air Force Base) and workers from Camp Carlin, a supply camp for all the northern posts on the Indian frontier.
   By 1880, Cheyenne had cleaned up its image, grown to a sophisticated population of 14,000 and garnered a loftier nickname: “The Magic City of the Plains.” Now the richest city of its size in the world, wealthy cattle barons from the East and abroad invested in the booming cattle industry and built huge, elaborate mansions in Cheyenne — many of which are still standing today. A favorite gathering point was the prestigious Cheyenne Club, the setting for long nights of drinking, card playing and talking politics. Cheyenne's elite also enjoyed the opulent opera house, which attracted big name performers such as Sarah Bernhardt and P.T. Barnum.
   When Wyoming became a state in 1890, other settlements competed for the capitol, but Cheyenne won out. After all, it was still Wyoming's largest city, and it had conveniently built a beautiful $150,000 capitol building.
   September 1897 marked the beginning of the Cheyenne Frontier Days tradition. With the glory days of the cattle barons gone, residents were already feeling nostalgic for days gone by. A herd of wild horses was captured for a bronco riding contest and a wild horse race. Other events included a Sioux-U.S. Calvary "battle,” a stagecoach hold-up and a horse-thief mock hanging. For more than 100 years since, the citizens of Cheyenne have joyously joined together on this annual community project. Because of this effort and numerous other community-oriented volunteer projects, Cheyenne has earned yet another nickname: “The Volunteer Capital of the World.”
   Today, the city is located, literally, at the crossroads — at Intestates 80 and 25, two of the busiest highways in the country, and at the intersection of two major railroads, the Union Pacific and Burlington Northern Santa Fe. Cheyenne is also at a cultural crossroads between country and contemporary life. Although the city's growth has brought much construction and rebuilding, it still holds on tenaciously to its small-town charm. While staying in step with modern times, its future is never far from the historic strengths of western tradition.

Cheyenne Fast Facts

   Location: Cheyenne is located at the intersection of Intestates 25 and 80 in southeast Wyoming, about 100 miles north of Denver.
  *Total area: 21.11 square miles
  *Elevation: 6,062 feet
  *Population: 53,011
  *Housing units: 23,782
  *Average housing density: 1,126 per square mile
  *Number of households: 22,324
  *Median household income: $38,856
   Average temperature: 23°F in winter; 70°F in summer
 *Information provided by 2000 Census

Community

   Ask any Cheyenne resident what they like best about their community, and their response will likely be "quality of life.” People may first visit Cheyenne for its history and tourist attractions. They stay because of its success in satisfying the needs of daily life.
   Cheyenne has been ranked in the top three American cities to raise a family. It's easy to see why. Affordable housing. Excellent schools. A cost of living that's 3 percent below the national average. An abundance of recreational and cultural activities. Clean air. An attractive climate, with 300 days of sunshine a year. Little traffic congestion, with driving times less than 20 minutes to any location in town. Safe neighborhoods. Friendly people. And an Old West spirit that is still alive and kicking.
   To top it all off, Cheyenne was recently named the “No. 1 Tax-Friendly City” in the United States by Kiplinger’s Personal Finance Magazine. Adding income taxes, property taxes, sales taxes and gasoline taxes, Kiplinger’s hypothetical family of four in Cheyenne would pay $2,220 in state and local taxes — compared with last-place finisher Bridgeport, Conn., with a total tax burden of $12,627 for the same hypothetical family. Factors contributing to Cheyenne's first-place status include the fact that Wyoming, along with six other states, has no state income tax; property taxes are low; and the sales tax is a below-average 5 percent.
   Greater Cheyenne's growth preserves the wide-open spaces and expansive views long treasured in the West. In fact, the town is so open that from the center of Cheyenne, you can glimpse both ends of the city.
    The city has been designated a Preserve America Community, a White House initiative that encourages and supports community efforts to preserve and enjoy the nation's cultural and natural heritage.

Attractions

   From special seasonal celebrations like Oktoberfest and the Memorial Day Parade to year-round events, Cheyenne offers a wide diversity of activities. Many are based on the city's Old West roots, and its well-restored historic buildings are always a major attraction.
   The city has four National Register Historic Districts including about 1,200 structures — many of which are elaborate mansions built by wealthy cattle barons in the late 19th century.
   Celebrate the Old West with the world-famous Cheyenne Frontier Days, known as “The Daddy of 'em All.” Now in its second century, this nine-day extravaganza is held every year at the end of July. It combines the world's oldest and largest outdoor rodeo with the latest in country and western entertainment — along with parades, pancake breakfasts, air shows and more.
   See the sights and hear the tales of Cheyenne on the Cheyenne Street Railway Trolley, featuring fully narrated historic and ghost tours. Or enjoy a narrated tour of downtown Cheyenne in a horse-drawn carriage.
   Gallop on the Outlaw Trail, the same route used by such notorious outlaws as Butch Cassidy and the Sundance Kid. The remote trail extends all the way from Montana to Mexico.
   Visit the Terry Bison Ranch, where you can hop on a horse or horse-drawn wagon, tour the winery and see several thousand resident bison. Located on the Wyoming-Colorado border just a 20-minute drive from Cheyenne, the 30,000-acre ranch is an excellent stop for anyone interested in trail riding and cowboy culture.
   East of Cheyenne is the Wyoming Hereford Ranch, established in the late 19th century. Here, you'll find out everything you ever wanted to know about cattle ranching.
   See the Old West reenacted with the Cheyenne Gunslinger Gunfights. Every June and July, the group stages mock gunfights, humorous western skits and other Wild West activities in Old Town Square. Don't miss the Gunslingers soda saloon for cool sarsaparilla and other western treats.
   Tour the Wyoming State Capitol Building and grounds. A National Historic Landmark, the capitol features a golden dome that can be seen for many miles across the plains. Its high columns and large rotunda are reminiscent of the nation’s Capitol in Washington, D.C. The Esther Hobart Morris Statue in front of the building honors the first woman to hold judicial office in modern times.
   See the Historic Governor's Mansion, a state historic site and home of Wyoming governors from 1905 to 1976. Perhaps the greatest distinction of this Georgian-style mansion is that it was the first in the nation to be occupied by a female governor, Nellie Taylor Ross.
   Enjoy English high tea Friday and Saturday afternoons at the elegant and historic Nagle Warren Mansion in downtown. Now a popular B&B, this Romanesque residence was built in 1888 and years later became the home of Wyoming Gov. and Sen. Francis E.  Warren. Many famous guests have passed through the mansion's hallways, including President Theodore Roosevelt.
   Visit Cheyenne's historic churches, including St. Mark's Episcopal Church and First United Methodist Church, both built in the 1890s.
   Soak in the beauty of Cheyenne Botanic Gardens, Wyoming's only public botanic garden. The gardens are located in Wyoming's largest municipal park, Lion's Park, and are maintained by senior, youth and handicapped volunteers. Along with uniquely designed outside gardens, the botanic gardens feature a 6,800-square-foot solar-heated and solar-powered conservatory.
   If you're a museum buff, Cheyenne offers endless days of exploration. The Old West comes alive at the engaging Cheyenne Frontier Days Old West Museum, with one of the best western horse-drawn wagon collections in the country, rodeo artifacts, Indian garments and a saloon re-creation. Try out your own bronco-riding skills by climbing into an actual bronc riding saddle. A “Hole in the Wall” Kids Room offers interactive hands-on exhibits.
   View Indian artifacts, 19th-century weapons and outlaw memorabilia at the Nelson Museum of the West.
   Re-create the history of people on the move throughout the West at the Wyoming Transportation Museum & Learning Center. The center is housed in the beautifully restored Union Pacific Depot, hailed in the 1880s as the finest depot between Kansas City and Sacramento.
   Discover the treasures of the newly remodeled Wyoming State Museum. Founded in 1895, the museum is dedicated solely to the history or Wyoming. It showcases a colorful collection of western artifacts from the cowboy, trapping and pioneer eras; an excellent Native collection with costumes and archeological items; and several temporary exhibits hosted throughout the year.
   Check out the general store and fine collection of first-edition stamp covers at the National First Day Cover Museum.
   Marvel at the contributions of women to the Wild West at the Cowgirls of the West Museum & Gift Shop.
   Take a tour of the F.E. Warren Air Force Base, once an Army fort and now home to the Intercontinental Ballistic Missiles. The Warren ICBM Heritage and Museum features exhibits depicting the history of missiles and life of those in the Air Force at the turn of the century.
   See the Big Boy, the world's largest steam locomotive (Old Number 4004). It was retired from active duty by Union Pacific in 1956 and is now housed at Holliday Park.
   Take the whole family to a Friday night rodeo, a summertime series in Pine Bluffs, just 40 miles east of Cheyenne. Join the Pine Bluffs Archaeological Dig and get a glimpse of how a variety of cultures have lived during the past 10,000 years. Check out the ancient artifacts and skeletons at the University of Wyoming Archaeological Lab and Visitors Center. Also while you're in Pine Bluffs, don't miss the 30-foot cast stone description of the Virgin Mary, the largest sculpture in Wyoming.

Recreation and Leisure

   Recreation in Cheyenne is mainly a participatory sport, and Cheyenne residents enjoy an abundance of year-round recreational activities.
   More than 600 acres of parks offer plenty of places to play or relax. Cheyenne has 14 baseball fields, nine softball fields, 12 tennis courts, three 18-hole golf courses, two municipal swimming pools, and a stock car track with pro and semipro rounds. The Cheyenne Parks and Recreation Department organizes softball, volleyball and basketball as well as year-round youth activities, while local associations offer extensive programs for young people in soccer, baseball, football and other sports.
   Other recreational activities — fishing, hunting, biking, hiking, boating, camping, roller skating and ice skating, and snowmobiling — are found within the city or nearby.
   Walk, bike or rollerblade on the 10-foot-wide, 15-mile Cheyenne Greenway. The concrete path connects neighborhoods, schools, parks and shopping areas, and it also features pocket parks with benches for easy resting.
   Play tennis, take a scenic walk, or feed the ducks and geese at Lake Minnehaha in Holliday Park.
   Fish, hike, boat, camp and ski at Curt Gowdy State Park, 23 miles west of Cheyenne. Named after the sportscaster, one of the state's favorite sons, the park is a dramatic blend of rolling hills, low-lying meadows and massive granite formations.
   Hike, rock climb, cross-country ski and mountain bike in the beautiful Vedauwoo Recreational Area, part of the Medicine Bow National Forest 30 minutes west of the city. Also within range are the Happy Jack recreational areas (30 miles) and Snowy Range (70 miles). International attractions like Yellowstone and Grand Teton national parks and Devil's Tower National Monument are just a day's drive away.
   Take a 10K walk with Volksmarch — or a long run with Wyoming Marathon Races.
   Experience Superday, a summer day of family entertainment plus a 5K Run-Walk and the Tour de Prairie Bicycle Race.
   See the Cheyenne Motorsports Shootout, an auto show and race through the streets of downtown.
   Check out the region's finest miniature golf at Wyoming Adventure Miniature Golf, featuring such Wyoming landmarks as Devil's Tower and Old Faithful. Then swing next door to the IKON Center, featuring ice skating, video games, laser tag and more.
   Marvel at Wyoming's wonderful wildlife — everything from grizzly bears to bighorn sheep — at the Wyoming Game and Fish Visitors Center. The center offers information on wildlife and wetlands viewing, along with displays of many of the state's 600 wildlife species.
   Hunters will find an abundance of elk and mule deer. Cheyenne-based Timberline Outfitters arranges game hunting trips in the state's southeastern and south central areas.
   Cheyenne's schools offer plenty of spectator sports, while the University of Wyoming, less than an hour away, brings plenty of Division I sport activities. And top professional teams like the Rockies, Avalanche, Nuggets and the back-to-back world champion Broncos are just a short drive away.
   Karate and kick-boxing enthusiasts will delight that Cheyenne is the headquarters of the United States Kick-Boxing Association, the sport's sanctioning body.

Arts

   Beyond its rich history, Cheyenne enjoys a wealth of modern culture, with more cultural diversity and variety than most communities of its size. From singers to dance troupes and Broadway touring productions, the city has no difficulty attracting performing artists of the highest caliber, most of whom perform at the Cheyenne Civic Center. The center features seating for an audience of nearly 1,500.
   The Civic Center is also home to the Cheyenne Symphony Orchestra, an 80-member professional symphony regarded as one of the best in the nation for a community this size. Along with five concert subscription series and five Hausmusik presentations, the CSO sponsors a music education outreach program, “Giving the Gift of Music.”
   The Cheyenne Little Theatre — a 75-year-old community theater serving Cheyenne, the state of Wyoming, western Nebraska and northern Colorado — is one of the state's premier cultural treasures. It owns and operates the Mary Godrey Playhouse and the Historic Atlas Theatre. Drawing on the dedication of 350 volunteers, Cheyenne Little Theatre offers nine full-scale productions each year. A perennial favorite is the Old-Fashioned Melodrama, performed downtown every June and July.
   Country, rock and blues bands perform throughout the city. Other performing musicians include the Capital Chorale, Cheyenne Youth Orchestra, Cheyenne Guitar Society, Cheyenne Youth Orchestra, Cheyenne Chamber Singers and the All-City Children's Chorus (ACCC), which features more than 160 fourth- through eighth-graders.
   Visual arts also abound in Cheyenne. The Cheyenne-based Wyoming Arts Council, created in 1967, is at the forefront of supporting nonprofit arts organizations and school-based art programs in the state. It also sponsors a gallery showcasing the works of Wyoming artists. Art in Public Places purchases sculptures for the enjoyment of all, while the Cheyenne Artists Guild encourages and offers workshops and shows for all area artists.
   The Annual Western Art Show & Sale, held every summer at the Old West Museum in Frontier Park, offers a fine collection of traditional western art for purchase. The Wyoming State Museum Arts & Crafts Festival brings the best of Wyoming arts and crafts. Gallery West, Deselms Fine Art and the Carriage House Art Center in Holliday Park are small but top-tier galleries.
   In nearby Laramie, the University of Wyoming Art Museum on the university campus offers ongoing exhibits and special programs.
   The Cheyenne Depot Museum Foundation recently concluded its These Boots Are Made for Talking campaign. The campaign featured 8-foot-tall, 8-foot-long cowboy boots, carefully painted by local artists and strategically located around town to showcase the history of Wyoming.

Dining

   Cheyenne boasts a wide variety of dining establishments for every budget and taste. Whatever you're in the mood for, from traditional American fare to Italian, Mexican and Asian, you're bound to find it in the Magic City on the Plains. Standouts include:
   Albany: Called “the locals' favorite dining spot since 1942,” featuring full American fare.
   Armadillo Restaurant: Family-style Mexican dining in a rustic décor.
   Avanti Italian Ristorante: All-you-can-eat lunch and dinner buffets with home-style hospitality.
   Boticelli Ristorante Italian: Fine Italian cuisine in a charming atmosphere.
   CB&Potts: A vast lunch and dinner menu with daily specials, award-winning craft beers and homemade desserts.
   Diamond Horseshow Café: All-American breakfasts, lunches and dinners, with shakes made the old-fashioned way: in a tin cup.
   Dynasty: Chinese and Vietnamese food, featuring family dinners.
   Lexie’s Café: A huge menu with lots of variety, from soups and salads to steak and seafood.
   L’osteria Mondello: An upscale Italian bistro.
   Lau’s Kitchen: Chinese cuisine, Hong Kong style, all cooked fresh to order.
   Los Amigos Mexican Restaurant: Excellent Mexican dishes served in a family atmosphere.
   Mongolian Grill: Authentic stir fry, including 25 varies of meats and vegetables and no-MSG sauces.
   Poor Richards: An early American ambiance with all the standard American dishes, including blackened prime rib and a generous salad bar.
   Sagebrush Sandwich Company: Two fresh meals for just $12.
   Sanford’s Grub’n’Pub: A fun place where 25 varieties of burgers — from “Atom Bomb” to Sloppy Jalopy” — are the main order of the day.
   Senators: Great family dining in an authentic western atmosphere.
   Smoke ‘n Peppers: The best BBQ sandwich in town.
   Snake River Pub and Grill: Stone-fired pizza, handcrafted ales and more at the Historic Train Depot.
   Teriyaki Grill: Japanese dine-in, take-out and delivery.
   Texas Road House: Named the No. 2 steakhouse in Cheyenne by Wyoming Eagle Tribune readers, featuring Texas-size steaks and ribs.
   Twin Dragons: A Mandarin Chinese restaurant with many vegetarian options.
   Whipple House: Fine dining in a traditional setting. Located in an 1883 building formerly a cattleman's mansion, the building is listed on the National Register of Historic Places. Sunday features a wonderful brunch, and night owls can enjoy a special menu of crepes, omelets and fondues on Friday and Saturday nights.

Housing

Employment

   The greater Cheyenne area is a thriving economic center with diverse companies that provide a range of jobs, from entry-level to professional and managerial positions. The city came up No. 18 in overall ranking out of 168 small places in Forbes’ “Best Places for Business Report” and ranked No. 1 for manufacturing in the category “Cost of Doing Business.”
   The Cheyenne-Laramie County Corporation for Economic Development (Cheyenne LEADS) promotes new businesses that provide family-wage jobs for the community. New businesses are attracted to the area because of its business-friendly attitude and excellent quality of life.
   Historically, Cheyenne has been a railroad and military town. As Wyoming's capitol city, it is home to large contingents of state, federal and local government employees, and a large private-service sector based on the government economy. One of every three employees in Cheyenne works for the government.
   Cheyenne's largest employer is F.E. Warren Air Force Base. The base has about 4,200 military and civilian employees supporting and maintaining 200 intercontinental ballistic missiles. It is followed by the federal government, with 2,920 non-military employees in Cheyenne, and state government, with 2,580 employees. Next come Laramie County School District No. 1, with around 1,800 employees, and United Medical Center, with about 960 employees.
   While appreciating the stability of its government-based economy, Cheyenne's business community is actively working to diversify its economy and expand its economic base. Union Pacific Railroad remains the largest private employer, with about 800 employees. Other large private employers include refineries, hotels, health care, discount retail stores, banks, mail-order companies, light industrial and telecommunications.
   Wyoming is a right-to-work state with labor rates that are highly competitive with most other areas of the nation. Laramie County union membership represents about 14 percent of the work force. Unemployment is 3.8 percent. A workforce survey shows, however, that Cheyenne has more than 11,000 underemployed people, creating a promising pool of available workers.
   Recent corporate newcomers to Cheyenne have all been able to satisfy their labor demands largely from the local area. For example, Sierra Trading Post has grown from 60 employees to more than 400. Lowe's Companies' regional distribution center, which employs 460, had 8,000 applicants for the first 400 available jobs.

Education

Where is Cheyenne?

Written by Sue Carrington exclusively for HomesParadise.com.
Photos courtesy of the Cheyenne Area Convention and Visitors Bureau.

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