Completed in 1882 at a cost of $65,000 this monolithic 60-foot high granite pyramid was built by the Union Pacific Railroad Company. It stands on the highest elevation (8,247 feet) of the original transcontinental route. Until 1901, when the railroad was relocated several miles to the south, it passed close by the north side of the monument where once stood the rail town of Sherman.
In February of 1868, Mr. Ivinson started building his house and he brought his family in on the first train. Mrs. Ivinson immediately set out to start a church and Sunday School and the first services were held in the Ivinson general store. In December 1868, the citizens had a festive party at the railroad station; Mr. Ivinson gloried in his role of Santa Claus - a role he repeated for several years.
The Laramie Union Pacific Depot officially opened at 7:00pm, September 6th, 1924. This station was built and served as Laramie’s passenger station until 1996 when Amtrak ceased passenger service along the Wyoming corridor. By Union Pacific standards, the station is of unique exterior design; finished in red brick with a number of distinctive accents, the most prominent of which are the terra-cotta Union Pacific “Overland Route” roundels in the center of the east and west facing walls. The interior is also distinctive, finished in wood paneling with large wooden beams, and featuring indirect lighting around the perimeter of the cathedral ceiling over the waiting area. A Railway Express Agency office was located off the baggage area in the north end of the building, and served Laramie’s parcel needs throughout the hey-day of the railroads. This was one of the last Union Pacific stations to be built in the traditional style, and is listed in the National Register of Historic Places as part of the Historic Downtown Laramie District. The depot is now used for meetings, weddings and private and public functions. For more information about rentals or tours please call 307-399-3772.
The Snowy Range mountains and The Medicine Bow National Forest offer activities for just about every outdoor enthusiast. A brief explanation and list of some of these activities is given below.
The museum is partially housed in a 1907 Hahn's Peak and Pacific Railroad depot. Its exhibits depict the general history of the Centennial Valley. Topics include mining, lumbering, ranching, and railroading. A 1944 Union Pacific caboose and many large pieces of ranching, farming, and mining equipment are on site.
During the summer months guests can take advantage of the horseback riding, hiking, fishing, river tubing, the great outdoors, evening entertainment, hayrides, camp outs, and more. These activities are offered through a 3 or 6-night guest ranch package. (Minimum stay required June--August). May and September come ride, hike, walk, and sightsee for any number of nights, any night of the week. During the winter months enjoy activities in the mountains--snowmobiling, downhill and cross country skiing, and snowshoeing, or just relax in your cabin in front of the fireplace!
The Woods Landing Resort is located on the Big Laramie River at the base of the Medicine Bow Mtns 27 miles southwest of Laramie on Highway 230. The Woods Landing Bar and Dancehall is listed on the National Register of Historic Places for its unique log construction and dancefloor on springs. Self-guided activities include fishing in the river or nearby lakes, hiking, hunting, cross-country skiing, snowshoeing, and snowmobiling.
Built in 1872 and restored in 1989, the prison is the highlight of the WTPSHS. Pick up a brochure in the gift shop and head toward the prison for a self-guided tour. (Development of an audio tour system is in the works.) Plan to spend at least an hour inside. Stops along the tour include: furnished cells, the prisoners' dining area, guard's quarters, infirmary, women's quarters, laundry room, warden's office, and various exhibit galleries. New exhibit's include: Found During Restoration: Artifacts Uncovered (including items found during the History Channel sponsored, Unlocking Secrets in the Soil project), N. K. Boswell: Warden and Lawman, Innocent or Guilty? Women Inmates of the Wyoming Territorial Prison, and a new exhibit on Butch Cassidy.
Early in the morning on September 6, 1870 in Laramie, Wyoming, Louisa Swain, a 70 year old Quaker lady, became the first woman in the world to cast a ballot under laws giving women the right to vote with full civil equality to men