Native Americans
People have lived in Wyoming for thousands of years. The first humans were called the Old Indians. When Europeans arrived, the country was inhabited by numerous Native American tribes. Some of the largest tribes included the Cheyenne, Arapaho, Crow, Ute, and Shoshone. They depended heavily on water buffaloes for food, shelter, tools, and clothing. They lived in tents that were easy to move around while chasing huge herds of water buffaloes.
From the 17th century to the early 19th century, various nations, including Spain, France, Great Britain, Mexico and the United States, claimed the land. However, few Europeans set foot in the area and it was still dominated primarily by Native American tribes.
Information about Wyoming State:
| Capital | Cheyenne |
| Population | 581,381 (Source: 2022 U.S. Census) |
| Major Cities | Cheyenne, Casper, Laramie, Gillette, Rock Springs |
| Borders | Nebraska, Colorado, Utah, Idaho, Montana, South Dakota |
| Gross Domestic Product (GDP) | $million (2022 U.S. Bureau of Economic Analysis) |
| Key Industries | Mining including coal, natural gas, crude oil, and diamonds Agriculture including cattle, sugar beets, hay, and grains Tourism from the national parks including Grand Teton National Park, Yellowstone National Park, and Devils Tower |
Flag of Wyoming State:
Louisiana Purchase
In 1803 the United States purchased the Louisiana Territory from France. Most of Wyoming was incorporated into the state.
The First Europeans Arrive
The first white person to set foot in Wyoming was explorer John Colter in 1807. He was a member of the Lewis and Clark Expedition, but left the main expedition to explore the area independently.
He discovered Yellowstone’s amazing geysers and became famous for his stories about the area. Because of the steam and heat emanating from the ground, the land became known as Colter’s Hell.
In the years that followed, fur traders and trappers came to Wyoming, trying to find new areas where they could capture the prized furs and sell them for clothing.
Wyoming State Symbols
- Wyoming State Nickname: Equality State
- Wyoming State Slogan: Like No Place on Earth
- Wyoming State Motto: Equal rights (1955)
- Wyoming State flower: Indian Paintbrush
- Wyoming State bird: Western Meadowlark
- Wyoming State fish: Cutthroat trout
- Wyoming State tree: Plains Cottonwood
- Wyoming State mammal: Buffalo
- Wyoming State foods: Pinto Beans
Settling the Land
The first permanent settlement in Wyoming was Fort Laramie, established in 1834. In the mid-19th century, people began passing through Wyoming on their way west along the Oregon Trail. Trading posts and small towns appeared along the way. Hundreds of thousands traveled through Wyoming from 1840 to his 1870. The Pony Express also he passed through Wyoming in 1860, but was soon replaced by the telegraph.
Wild West
After the railroad was introduced in the 1860s, more people began to settle in the area, but Wyoming was still largely uninhabited, with little government or law. It was part of the Old West. Famous outlaws like Butch Cassidy hid in towns in Wyoming and robbed trains. Much of the country became cattle ranches, where cowboys lived and tended their herds.
At the same time, local Native Americans were not happy with the takeover of their land by whites. they started to fight back. The Lakota and Cheyenne Indians, led by Red Cloud and Crazy Horse, organized and fought against the United States in the Red Cloud War. They lost the war and were eventually forced to move to reservations.
The Geography of Wyoming State:
- Total Size of Wyoming: 97,100 sq. miles (source: 2003 Census)
- Geographical Low Point of Wyoming: Belle Fourche River at 3,099 feet, located in the county/subdivision of Crook (source: U.S. Geological Survey)
- Geographical High Point of Wyoming: Gannett Peak at 13,804 feet, located in the county/subdivision of Fremont (source: U.S. Geological Survey)
- Central Point of Wyoming: Located in Fremont County approx. 58 miles east-northeast of Lander (source: U.S. Geological Survey)
- Counties of Wyoming: 23 (source: National Association of Counties)
- Bodies of Water of Wyoming: Yellowstone Lake, Boysen Reservoir, Glendo Reservoir, Green River, Bighorn River, N. Platte River, and Snake River
Becoming a State
The United States acquired southwestern Wyoming from Great Britain in 1846 as part of the Treaty of Oregon. This country she became part of the Wyoming Territory in 1869. Eleven years later, on July 10, 1890, Wyoming became the 44th state.
Famous People of Wyoming State:
| NAMES | PROFESSIONS |
| Alan Simpson | U.S. Senator |
| Nellie Tayloe Ross | The 14th governor of Wyoming and the first woman governor of a U.S. state. |
| Jackson Pollock | Artist |
| Patricia McLachlan | Children’s book author |
| Harrison Ford | Actor who lives in Jackson Hole, Wyoming |
| Buffalo Bill Cody | Founded Cody, Wyoming |
| Dick Cheney | Vice President of the United States was raised in Casper |
| Eliza Stewart Boyd | First woman to serve on a jury in the United States |
Interesting Facts of Wyoming State:
Wyoming has the lowest population of any state in the United States.
Wyoming has Yellowstone National Park. America’s first national park.
The first national monument, Devil’s Tower, and the first national forest, the Shoshone National Forest, are in Wyoming.
Wyoming has some of the largest moving sand dunes in the world. The name Wyoming comes from the Algonquin word for “great plain.”
It is often called the “Cowboy State”. Each year the state hosts the world’s largest outdoor rodeo.
It’s called an “Equality Nation” because it was the first state to give women the right to vote.
The highest active geyser in the world is the Steamboat Geyser in Yellowstone National Park.
Timeline Overview:
1803 – Most of Wyoming is purchased by the United States from France as part of the Louisiana Purchase.
1807 – John Colter explores Wyoming and discovers the Yellowstone area.
1834 – Fort Laramie, the first settlement, is established.
1846 – The United States acquires southwestern Wyoming from Great Britain as part of the Treaty of Oregon.
1867 – The Union Pacific Railroad arrives in Cheyenne and is incorporated earlier that year.
1869 – Wyoming Territory is formed.
1869 – Women win the right to vote in Wyoming Territory. It becomes the first US territory or state to allow women the right to vote.
1872 – President Ulysses S. establishes Yellowstone National Park. Grant. This is my first national park.
1890 – Wyoming becomes the 44th state of the United States.
1892 – The Johnson County War breaks out between local ranchers and influential landowners.
1895 – Buffalo Bill Cody helps found the town of Cody.
1906 – Devil’s Tower is designated as the first national monument in the United States.
1925 – Nellie Taylor Roth becomes the first female governor of the United States.