Historical Timeline of Wyoming

Historical Timeline of Wyoming

Wyoming, the "Cowboy State," boasts a rich and storied past, shaped by indigenous peoples, intrepid explorers, rugged mountain men, westward-bound pioneers, and the transformative forces of industry and innovation. This timeline provides a glimpse into the key events that have sculpted Wyoming’s unique identity, from its earliest encounters with Europeans to its emergence as a modern state.

Early Explorations and Encounters

The story of Wyoming begins long before European arrival, with the presence of various Native American tribes who called the land home for millennia. These included the Arapaho, Crow, Cheyenne, Lakota, Shoshone, and Ute peoples, each with their own distinct cultures and traditions.

• 1743: The Verendrye brothers, French-Canadian explorers, are believed to be the first Europeans to set foot in what is now Wyoming, marking the initial contact between European culture and the indigenous inhabitants of the region.

• 1803: The Louisiana Purchase, a landmark acquisition by the United States, includes the territory of Wyoming. This purchase effectively doubled the size of the United States and opened up vast new lands for exploration and settlement.

• 1807-1808: John Colter, a former member of the Lewis and Clark Expedition, ventures into Wyoming. His explorations lead him to the geyser basins of the Yellowstone ecosystem, a place he vividly describes as "Colter’s Hell" due to its otherworldly thermal features. Colter’s accounts, though initially met with skepticism, were the first documented descriptions of this natural wonder.

• 1811: Wilson Price Hunt’s Astorians, en route eastward from Fort Astoria, traverse Wyoming along a route that would later become part of the iconic Oregon Trail. This journey marks an early instance of organized overland travel through the region.

• 1811-1812: Robert Stuart and a group of returning Astorians cross the Continental Divide near South Pass, a crucial low-elevation passage through the Rocky Mountains. They also construct the first known cabin in Wyoming along the North Platte River near Bessemer Bend, representing an early attempt at establishing a permanent foothold in the territory.

The Fur Trade Era

The 1820s and 1830s saw the rise of the fur trade, attracting mountain men and traders who sought to profit from the abundant wildlife of the region.

• 1822: William Ashley places an advertisement in a St. Louis newspaper, seeking adventurous men for his new fur trading enterprise. Ashley revolutionized the fur trade by abandoning the traditional fort system and instead organizing annual rendezvous, where trappers and traders would meet to exchange goods and stories.

• 1824: William H. Ashley’s men rediscover South Pass, solidifying its importance as a viable route for overland travel. The Rocky Mountain fur trappers and traders, including both Europeans and Native Americans, begin holding their annual rendezvous along the Green River, transforming the area into a bustling hub of commerce and social interaction.

• 1825: The fur trade rendezvous period officially begins. Ashley’s yearly journey from St. Louis to the Rockies becomes a logistical feat, pioneering a wagon road for future settlers. The rendezvous themselves are characterized by lively celebrations, trade, and the exchange of information, playing a vital role in shaping the culture of the early West.

• 1832: Captain B.L.E. Bonneville leads the first wagons through South Pass and establishes Fort Bonneville near present-day Daniel. This marks an important step in the development of wagon routes through the region.

• 1833: Bonneville discovers oil in Wyoming, an early indication of the state’s vast mineral resources.

• 1834: Wyoming’s first permanent white settlement, Fort William, is established near the confluence of the Laramie and North Platte Rivers. Later renamed Fort Laramie, it would become a significant military and trading post.

• 1835: During a rendezvous, missionary Dr. Marcus Whitman famously removes an arrowhead lodged in Jim Bridger’s shoulder for three years, showcasing the resourcefulness and medical skills of the early settlers.

• 1836: Narcissa Whitman and Eliza Spalding, wives of missionaries, become the first white women to travel over the Oregon Trail to the Far West, symbolizing the growing presence of families and the spread of settlement.

Westward Expansion and Conflict

As the westward movement gained momentum, Wyoming became a crucial corridor for emigrants heading to Oregon, California, and Utah. This influx of settlers inevitably led to conflicts with Native American tribes who sought to protect their lands and way of life.

• 1842: Captain John C. Fremont’s first expedition to Wyoming results in the naming of Fremont Peak. Gold is discovered in the South Pass district, but the ensuing gold rush is delayed by the onset of the Civil War. The great migration along the Oregon Trail begins, with thousands of settlers passing through Wyoming each year.

• 1843: Migration along the Oregon Trail intensifies. Fort Bridger, the second permanent settlement in Wyoming, is established by Jim Bridger and Louis Vasquez, providing a vital supply point for travelers.

• 1847: Mormon migration to Utah begins, with the establishment of a Mormon ferry on the North Platte River to facilitate the passage of wagons and people.

• 1849: Gold seekers flock to California via the California and Cherokee Trails. The U.S. Government purchases Fort Laramie, solidifying its role as a military outpost and a center of government influence.

• 1852: William Vaux, a post chaplain, opens the first school in Wyoming at Fort Laramie, assisted by his daughter, Victoria. This year marks the peak of emigration on the Oregon Trail, with an estimated 50,000 people passing through Wyoming.

• 1853: Fort Supply, the first agricultural settlement established by Mormons near Fort Bridger, is founded. However, it is later deserted and burned in 1857 during tensions between the Mormons and the U.S. government.

• 1860: The Pony Express begins delivering mail by horseback courier, providing a short-lived but iconic link between the East and West.

• 1861: The transcontinental telegraph is completed, rendering the Pony Express obsolete.

• 1862: Fort Halleck is established on the Overland Trail. The overland stage line shifts its route from the Oregon Trail to the Overland (Cherokee) Trail, altering travel patterns across Wyoming.

• 1863: The Bozeman Trail is established, leading to further conflict with Native American tribes. At Fort Bridger, the first newspaper in Wyoming, The Daily Telegraph, is established, marking a significant development in the territory’s cultural landscape.

• 1865: Train travel shifts south from the Oregon-California-Mormon corridor to the Overland Trail in southern Wyoming, reflecting the growing importance of railroads in the region.

• 1866: Nelson Story drives the first herd of cattle through Wyoming, heading north to Montana, marking the beginning of the cattle industry. The Fetterman Massacre occurs near Fort Kearny, where Indians ambush and kill William J. Fetterman and eighty troops, escalating tensions between settlers and Native Americans.

• 1867: The city of Cheyenne is founded, becoming a major railroad hub and a center of commerce and government. The Union Pacific Railroad enters Wyoming, transforming the territory’s transportation infrastructure and accelerating settlement.

Territorial and Statehood Era

The late 19th century saw the establishment of Wyoming Territory and its eventual admission to the Union as a state. This period was marked by significant political, social, and economic changes.

• 1868: Wyoming Territory is officially established on July 25. The Wind River Reservation is created by treaty for the Shoshone Indians, a move that aimed to confine Native Americans to specific areas.

• 1869: Wyoming grants women the right to vote and hold office, becoming the first territory or state in the United States to do so. This landmark decision earned Wyoming the nickname "Equality State."

• 1870: Cowboys begin trailing cattle from Texas into and through Wyoming, establishing an industry that would dominate the state’s economy for over a century. Esther Hobart Morris of South Pass City becomes the first woman appointed Justice of the Peace, further solidifying Wyoming’s commitment to gender equality. Mrs. Louisa Swain of Laramie casts the first equal suffrage vote, a historic moment in the fight for women’s rights.

• 1871: William "Buffalo Bill" Cody begins guiding hunting parties and even a Yale paleontologist through the Yellowstone and Big Horn Basin, contributing to the exploration and understanding of the region’s natural wonders.

• 1872: Congress designates Yellowstone as the first national park, preserving its unique geothermal features and wildlife for future generations.

• 1873: A state prison is established in Laramie. The Wyoming Stock Growers Association is formed, representing the interests of cattle ranchers and playing a significant role in shaping the state’s political and economic landscape.

• 1876: The Cheyenne-Black Hills stage line is launched, connecting Cheyenne with the gold rush towns of the Black Hills.

• 1877: An agreement is made with the Shoshone Indians to allow the Arapaho to move onto the Wind River Reservation. Chief Joseph leads his Nez Perce people through the "Devil’s Doorway" in the Yellowstone area during their attempted escape to Canada, highlighting the plight of Native Americans displaced by westward expansion.

• 1880: Wealthy cattlemen form the Cactus Club in Cheyenne, which later becomes the Cheyenne Club, a base for anti-rustling activities, reflecting the tensions and conflicts that arose within the cattle industry.

• 1883: Electric lights are introduced in Cheyenne, marking a technological advancement and a step towards modernization.

• 1885: The Chinese Massacre at Rock Springs occurs, a tragic event in which white miners attacked and killed Chinese miners, highlighting the racial tensions and anti-Chinese sentiment of the era.

• 1886-1887: A severe winter kills thousands of head of cattle, an event known as "The Great Die-Up," devastating the cattle industry and prompting changes in ranching practices.

• 1888: The Capitol building is completed, symbolizing Wyoming’s growing political stability and its aspirations for statehood.

• 1889: Ellen Watson, also known as Cattle Kate, is hanged in Sweetwater Valley by members of the Stock Growers Association, a controversial event that reflects the power and influence of the cattle industry and the often-harsh justice of the frontier.

• 1890: Wyoming officially becomes a state on July 10, joining the Union as the 44th state.

• 1892: A cattlemen’s army invades Johnson County in an incident known as the Johnson County War, highlighting the conflicts between large cattle ranchers and smaller settlers and the struggle for control of land and resources.

• 1896: Buffalo Bill’s company chooses the name Cody for their town, hoping his reputation will attract settlers, demonstrating the importance of branding and marketing in the development of the West.

• 1897: Bighorn National Forest is established, preserving a vast area of wilderness and natural resources. The first Cheyenne Frontier Days are celebrated, becoming an annual event that showcases Wyoming’s Western heritage and attracts visitors from around the world.

• 1900: Chief Washakie is buried with full military honors in the post cemetery at Fort Washakie, recognizing his leadership and his complex relationship with the U.S. government.

The 20th Century and Beyond

The 20th century brought further changes to Wyoming, including the growth of the oil and gas industry, the development of tourism, and the increasing importance of conservation and environmental protection.

• 1901: Cody charms the Burlington Railroad into building a 70-mile-long spur to his town, further solidifying its position as a tourist destination. The Wyoming Frontier Prison in Rawlins opens for prisoners, becoming a notorious symbol of the state’s penal system.

• 1902: J.C. Penney opens his first store in Kemmerer on April 13, marking the beginning of a retail empire that would spread across the country.

• 1903: Shoshone National Forest, the nation’s first, is created in northwestern Wyoming, further emphasizing the importance of conservation. Tom Horn is hanged in Cheyenne on November 20, a controversial execution that continues to be debated.

• 1904: Brothers Howard, Alden, and Willis Eaton establish the West’s first dude ranch near Sheridan, pioneering a new form of tourism that catered to wealthy Easterners seeking a taste of the Wild West.

• 1906: Devils Tower becomes the first national monument, recognizing its geological significance and its cultural importance to Native American tribes.

Wyoming’s history is a testament to the resilience, adaptability, and pioneering spirit of its people. From its early days as a haven for trappers and traders to its emergence as a modern state, Wyoming has played a significant role in the shaping of the American West. Its stunning landscapes, rich cultural heritage, and enduring spirit of independence continue to attract visitors and residents alike, ensuring that the legacy of the Cowboy State will endure for generations to come.