History of Wyoming, USA

1803 - Louisiana Purchase (including present Wyoming) is completed.

rootsweb.ancestry.com/ ~wygenweb/ timeline.htm

1828 - The first of Wyoming posts, known as 'Portuguese Houses,' is established on Middle Fork of Powder River, 11 miles east of Kaycee.

rootsweb.ancestry.com/ ~wygenweb/ timeline.htm

1830 - Kit Carson, noted scout, arrives.
In 1830, Christopher "Kit" Carson, a legendary figure of the American frontier, arrived in Wyoming, marking a significant moment in Western history. Known for his exceptional skills as a scout, explorer, and trapper, Carson's arrival in Wyoming underscored the growing presence of Euro-American settlers in the region. Wyoming at the time was part of the vast expanse of the American West, characterized by its rugged landscapes and the traditional territories of Native American tribes such as the Shoshone, Crow, and Arapaho.

Carson's role as a scout was crucial in the westward expansion of the United States, as he navigated and mapped the uncharted territories, often serving as a guide for expeditions and military campaigns. His arrival in Wyoming reflected the broader trends of exploration and settlement that defined the early 19th century in America. Carson's legacy would endure beyond his lifetime, influencing popular perceptions of the American frontier and contributing to the... Read MORE...

1834 - Ft. Laramie, first permanent trading post in Wyoming, established by William Sublette and Robert Campbell.
In 1834, Fort Laramie emerged as a pivotal establishment in the American West, founded by William Sublette and Robert Campbell. Situated strategically at the confluence of the Laramie and North Platte Rivers in present-day Wyoming, the fort served as the first permanent trading post in the region. Initially intended to facilitate the burgeoning fur trade, Fort Laramie quickly became a crucial hub for interactions between Euro-American trappers, traders, and various Native American tribes, particularly the Sioux, Cheyenne, Arapaho, and Crow.

The fort's strategic location enabled it to control key trade routes and provided a secure outpost for travelers along the Oregon, California, and Mormon Trails. Over time, Fort Laramie evolved beyond its original fur trading purpose to serve as a diplomatic center where treaties were negotiated between the United States government and Native American nations, attempting to manage territorial disputes and ensure safe passage for settlers heading ... Read MORE...

1843 - Ft. Bridger, second permanent settlement, established by Jim Bridger and Louis Vasquez.
In 1843, Fort Bridger emerged as a pivotal settlement in the American West, founded by the renowned frontiersman Jim Bridger and his partner Louis Vasquez. Located in present-day southwestern Wyoming, Fort Bridger served as a crucial trading post along the Oregon Trail. Its establishment marked a strategic point for travelers heading westward, providing essential supplies, trading opportunities, and a place to rest and repair wagons before continuing their arduous journey through the rugged terrain of the Rocky Mountains.

Initially built as a modest trading post, Fort Bridger quickly grew in significance due to its strategic location and the reputation of its founders. Jim Bridger, famed for his explorations and knowledge of the Western territories, ensured the fort's success by fostering relationships with Native American tribes and pioneers alike. Over time, Fort Bridger expanded its services, offering blacksmithing, lodging, and provisions critical for the survival of those... Read MORE...

1847 - Brigham Young leads first group of Mormons across Wyoming. Mormons build a ferry across Platte River near Fort Casper site.
In 1847, under the leadership of Brigham Young, a pivotal event unfolded for the Mormons as they embarked on their historic trek across Wyoming. Fleeing religious persecution in the Midwest, Brigham Young led the first group of Mormons, known as the Latter-day Saints, on an arduous journey westward in search of a promised land where they could practice their faith freely. Wyoming, with its expansive plains and challenging terrain, posed both obstacles and opportunities for the pioneering group.

One notable achievement during this journey was the construction of a ferry across the Platte River near what would later become Fort Casper. This strategic river crossing facilitated safe passage for the Mormons and their wagons, marking a significant logistical accomplishment amidst the harsh conditions of the western frontier. The crossing not only aided their immediate journey but also symbolized the resilience and resourcefulness of the Mormon pioneers in adapting to and taming the... Read MORE...


Read more about Brigham YOUNG

1854 - Grattan Massacre occurs near Fort Laramie.
The Grattan Massacre of 1854 near Fort Laramie was a pivotal event during the tensions between Native American tribes and white settlers in the American West. It unfolded when a small detachment of U.S. Army soldiers, led by Lieutenant John Grattan, confronted a Brulé Lakota Sioux chief named Conquering Bear. The confrontation escalated dramatically, reportedly sparked by a dispute over a settler's stolen cow, but rooted much deeper in longstanding grievances over land, resources, and cultural misunderstandings.

Despite attempts at negotiation, the encounter quickly turned violent. Grattan, underestimating the volatile situation and perhaps fueled by a sense of military superiority, ordered his men to open fire. In the ensuing chaos, Grattan and all 29 of his soldiers were killed.
rootsweb.ancestry.com/ ~wygenweb/ timeline.htm

1860 - Pony Express started and crosses Wyoming. Second school in Wyoming established at Ft. Bridger by Judge William A. Carter, with Miss Fannie Foot as teacher.

rootsweb.ancestry.com/ ~wygenweb/ timeline.htm

1863 - Bozeman Road through Wyoming established. First newspaper in Wyoming, The Daily Telegraph, established at Ft. Bridger.

rootsweb.ancestry.com/ ~wygenweb/ timeline.htm

1867 - Town of Cheyenne is founded.
In 1867, the town of Cheyenne was founded in the southeastern corner of what would later become the state of Wyoming. This event marked a pivotal moment in the development of the American West during the post-Civil War era. Cheyenne's establishment was closely tied to the construction of the Union Pacific Railroad, which was pushing westward as part of the Transcontinental Railroad project. Named after the Cheyenne Native American tribe, the town quickly grew from a small tent city into a bustling railroad town, serving as a crucial hub for supplies, trade, and transportation.

Cheyenne's strategic location made it a vital center for the cattle industry, as ranchers and cowboys gathered there to drive their herds north to the burgeoning railheads. The town's rapid growth was fueled by the arrival of settlers, entrepreneurs, and adventurers seeking opportunities in the expanding frontier economy. By the late 19th century, Cheyenne had become the capital of the newly established... Read MORE...

1869 - Wyoming Territory organized. April 15. J. A. Campbell inaugurated as first governor of Wyoming. Cheyenne designated as territorial capital.

rootsweb.ancestry.com/ ~wygenweb/ timeline.htm

1869 - December 10 – The Wyoming territorial legislature gives women the right to vote, the first such law in the world.
In 1869, Wyoming’s territorial legislature declared that “every woman of the age of twenty-one years, residing in this territory, may at every election…cast her vote.” Though Congress lobbied hard against it, Wyoming’s women kept their right to vote when the territory became a state in 1890.
www.history.com
December 10, 1869

1870 - September 18 – Old Faithful Geyser is observed and named by Henry D. Washburn during the Washburn-Langford-Doane Expedition to Yellowstone.
In September 1870, during the Washburn-Langford-Doane Expedition to Yellowstone National Park, one of the most iconic natural wonders of the park was officially discovered and named. Henry D. Washburn, leading the expedition, along with Nathaniel P. Langford and Truman C. Everts, came upon a remarkable geothermal feature that would later become world-renowned: Old Faithful Geyser. Located in what is now known as the Upper Geyser Basin, Old Faithful earned its name due to its incredibly regular eruptions, which occur roughly every 90 minutes. Washburn and his party were struck not only by the geyser's impressive height and power but also by its reliability in erupting at predictable intervals, making it a centerpiece of Yellowstone's geothermal wonders.

The naming of Old Faithful marked a significant moment not just in the exploration of Yellowstone but also in the understanding and appreciation of geothermal activity. Its discovery drew attention to the unique geological features... Read MORE...

1872 - 'Yellowstone Wonderland' is established as first national park.
March 1 – Yellowstone National Park (once dubbed "Colter's Hell" after John Colter, of the Lewis & Clark Expedition) is established as the world's first national park.

rootsweb.ancestry.com/ ~wygenweb/ timeline.htm
March 1, 1872

1883 - Cheyenne completes incandescent lighting system.

rootsweb.ancestry.com/ ~wygenweb/ timeline.htm

1890 - The first state (Wyoming) grants women the right to vote in all elections.

nationalwomenshistoryalliance.org

1890 - July 10, Wyoming is admitted into the Union as the 44th State.

rootsweb.ancestry.com/ ~wygenweb/ timeline.htm

1895 - Wyoming
Wyoming, wi-o'ming, a western state of the American Union, bounded N. by Montana, E. by South Dakota and Nebraska, S. by Colorado and Utah, and W. by Utah, Idaho, and Montana. It is quadrangular, and its bounding lines are the meridians of 104° and 111° W. and the parallels of 41° and 45° N. Area, 97,890 square miles.

Face of the Country.–From N.W. to S.E. extends the Wind River or main chain of the Rocky Mountains, in a course parallel to, but at some distance from, the diagonal line of the state. The southwestern portion of the state is therefore on the Pacific slope, and is drained principally by the Green and Snake Rivers and their many tributaries. Its surface is broken by mountain-ranges and buttes. The Atlantic or northeastern slope is drained by the Yellowstone, Big Horn, Powder, Big Cheyenne, and North Platte Rivers, and their numerous tributaries,—all direct or indirect affluents of the Missouri. In the N.W. is the Upper Valley of the Yellowstone, in which an area of 3525 ... Read MORE...

1906 - First National Monument: Devils Tower in northeastern Wyoming was designated the first national monument by President Theodore Roosevelt in 1906
In 1906, President Theodore Roosevelt marked a significant moment in American conservation history by designating Devils Tower in northeastern Wyoming as the country's first national monument. This landmark decision was part of Roosevelt's broader efforts to preserve America's natural wonders for future generations. Devils Tower, a massive igneous rock formation rising dramatically from the surrounding plains, holds immense cultural and geological significance. The site is sacred to several Native American tribes, who refer to it by various names including Bear Lodge and Bear's Tipi.
www.ereferencedesk.com/ resources/ state-facts/ wyoming.html

Read more about Theodore ROOSEVELT

1906 - March 17 - The temperature at Snake River, WY, dipped to 50 degrees below zero, a record for the U.S. for the month of March.

WeatherForYou.com
March 17, 1906

1924 - November 4 - Nellie Tayloe Ross of Wyoming is elected as the first woman governor in the United States.

On November 4, 1924, Nellie Tayloe Ross made history by becoming the first woman elected as governor in the United States. She achieved this milestone in Wyoming, a state known for its early embrace of women's suffrage and progressive politics. Ross's election marked a significant moment in the women's rights movement, demonstrating that women could attain the highest levels of political leadership despite the prevailing societal norms.

Before her gubernatorial tenure, Ross had already been involved in public service and politics, particularly following the death of her husband, William B. Ross, who was Wyoming's governor. She ran on a platform emphasizing social welfare and economic reforms, reflecting her commitment to addressing issues affecting ordinary citizens. Ross's election was not just a personal triumph but also a symbolic victory for women across the nation, inspiring future generations of women to pursue careers in politics and public service.
November 4, 1924

February 9, 1933 - The temperature at Moran, WY, located next to Teton National Park, plunged to 63 degrees below zero to establish a state record.

WeatherForYou.com

1941 - After the Japanese bombed Pearl Harbor in 1941, people of Japanese descent living on the Pacific Coast were relocated to the Heart Mountain Relocation Center in Wyoming.
After the Japanese attack on Pearl Harbor on December 7, 1941, the United States entered World War II and soon after, fears of espionage and sabotage led to widespread discrimination against Japanese Americans living on the Pacific Coast. In February 1942, President Franklin D. Roosevelt signed Executive Order 9066, which authorized the relocation and internment of approximately 120,000 Japanese Americans, most of whom were U.S. citizens, to remote camps inland. One such camp was the Heart Mountain Relocation Center in Wyoming, where over 10,000 Japanese Americans were confined during the war years.

Heart Mountain, located near Cody, Wyoming, became one of the largest and most notorious of the internment camps. Surrounded by barbed wire and guard towers, the camp housed families in hastily constructed barracks under harsh living conditions. Despite these challenges, the internees formed communities, established schools, and even started newspapers within the camp. The internment... Read MORE...


Read more about Franklin Delano ROOSEVELT

Here's a list of places to go and things to do in Wyoming:
1. Yellowstone National Park:

Explore the world's first national park, known for its geothermal wonders, including Old Faithful.
Hike numerous trails and spot wildlife like bison, elk, bears, and wolves.

Marvel at the Grand Canyon of the Yellowstone and the colorful hot springs.

2. Grand Teton National Park:

Enjoy breathtaking mountain scenery, pristine lakes, and a range of outdoor activities.

Hike the Teton Crest Trail or take a boat ride on Jenny Lake.

Don't miss the iconic Moulton Barn for photography.

3. Devil's Tower National Monument:

Witness the impressive volcanic rock formation, a sacred site for Native American tribes.

Rock climbing is popular here, and there are trails around the tower for hikers.

4. Cody:

Visit the Buffalo Bill Center of the West, a museum complex dedicated to the American West.
Experience the Cody Nite Rodeo for a taste of cowboy culture.

Explore nearby Shoshone National Forest for outdoor adventures.

5. Jackson... Read MORE...