Legends of Laramie
From gun-fights and brothels to historic landmarks and famous architecture, you can travel back in time and watch the past come alive on the Legends of Laramie walking tour. View all 16 experiences listed below.
We encourage you to explore Laramie’s downtown area, now listed on the National Register of Historic Places. Enjoy the shops, restaurants, and historic remnants of this former hell-on-wheels town. Learn about the places where Laramie’s first citizens lived, worked, and made their mark on this historic town. If you’re lucky enough to be close by when a train comes into town today, close your eyes for a minute when you hear its whistle and imagine you have just arrived in the “Gem City of the Plains” more than 150 Years ago.
The Love story of General Jack Casement and his wife Francis. While tracks were laid coast to coast, a love story flourished across the miles.
Gentleman get in line and hear from Laramie’s ladies of the night. In the late 1800’s, the saloons, dance halls and alleys of Laramie were packed with a cast of colorful women who entertained men for a living.
In 1896, Laramie was in need of a little reform. Constructed from local limestone, St. Matthew’s Cathedral was built to tame the unruly masses. And today, it sits as the highest Cathedral in the nation.
In 1869, the Wyoming territorial legislature became the first government to grant women the right to vote. Hear the notable firsts that set Wyoming apart in the suffragette movement.
Bill Nye, more formally known as Edgar Wilson Nye, was the first editor of the Laramie Boomerang. He named the paper for his mule because of what he described as the “eccentricity of his orbit.” As Nye’s son Frank said, something about the word “boomerang” piqued...
In the 1870’s, the town of Laramie boasted more lawlessness than law. The existing Courthouse was constructed in 1933, after the original was demolished.
In 1870, Edward Ivinson bought this city block for the spot of his future home. By 1892, this $40,000 mansion was complete with central heating, electric lights and running water. Quite the marvel of Laramie.
Originally built in 1872, the Prison ran on the Auburn Prison System. This required silence at all times, black and white striped uniforms and numbers replaced names for some of the most infamous criminals.
Almost 200 years ago, a respected trapper disappeared without a trace. His mysterious disappearance has generated a dozen theories, but no answers. Decide what is fact, and what is folklore.
The Overland Trail and Stagecoach Line was an alternate wagon route off the famous Oregon Trail. Pioneers crossed this area as they headed westward in the late 1800’s.
Fires. Destruction. Bravery. Meet firefighters of Laramie’s Fire Department. The early days of firefighting
Modern-day rodeo has its roots on the plains, these tradition live on today, during the Laramie Jubilee Days Rodeo, each July. See some of the Wild West’s bravest ropers, riders and racers from days gone by. Riding. Roping. Racing. Modern day rodeo lives on each July in Laramie.
Along with the War Memorial Fieldhouse, War Memorial Stadium was built 68 years ago in the spring and summer of 1950. The stadium replaced Corbett Field, a small field opened in 1922 and located southeast of Half Acre Gym in land now used by the Business School and the student...
An unusual 60 ft. pyramid shaped monument, this haunting limestone mass stands alone on the prairie and towers over the remains of the one-time railroad town of Sherman. This monument was built in 1881 to honor the Ames brothers, Oliver and Oakes, who were influential leaders in the construction of...