cheyenne capitol building tours

VISIT THE WYOMING STATE CAPITOL

200 West 24th Street , Cheyenne, WY 82002  |  (307) 777-5861

Hours: 8 a.m. - 5 p.m. (MST), Monday - Friday

Get your Capitol Collection Passport Book stamped by visiting the Wyoming State Museum in the museum gift shop. The museum is located at 2301 Central Avenue and hours are 9:00 am - 4:30 pm, Monday through Saturday.

The Historic Governor's Mansion can also stamp your Passport Book. It's located at 300 E. 21st Street and is open Tuesday through Saturday, 9:00 am - 5:00 pm.  

HISTORY OF THE WYOMING STATE CAPITOL

Plans for the Wyoming State capitol originated in 1867, with the seat of the new territorial government established as Cheyenne in 1869.

In 1886, the Ninth Territorial Legislative Assembly authorized construction of the State Capitol. A five member commission, appointed by Governor Warren, was charged with the selection and purchase of the site, selection of an architect, and accepting the lowest bids for construction of the building. The commission chose the firm of David W. Gibbs & Company, Architects, to draw plans and specifications. These were accepted in July 1886 and the contract was awarded to the lowest bidder, Adam Feick & Brothers, who broke ground on September 9, 1886. 

The architecture of the building is renaissance revival, reminiscent of the National Capitol Building in Washington, D.C. Sandstone for the building came from quarries in Rawlins, Wyoming and Fort Collins, Colorado. The building's cornerstone was laid on May 18, 1887, with maps, a roster of territorial officers, and other papers inside. During the Centennial of the Capitol in 1987 the cornerstone was removed. The original documents were replaced with contemporary versions, and the cornerstone was reset. 

The Tenth Territorial Legislative Assembly convened in an unfinished building. The two small wings on the east and west weren’t completed until April 1890. Crowded conditions persisted with the growth of the state, and in 1915 the Thirteenth legislature approved the construction of the House and Senate Chambers, which were completed in March 1917. 

The 42nd Legislature in 1974 appropriated funds for the first phase of renovation of the Capitol and that project was completed in 1980. Work included stripping and staining all woodwork, painting walls in the original designs and colors, replacing wooden floor beams with steel, concrete and modernizing the wiring, heating, plumbing and air conditioning.

Wyoming Capitol Square Full Tour Video

Provided by the wyoming legislature.

A s one of 20 state Capitols designated as National Historic Landmarks and with a history that dates back to 1888, known as the People’s House, the Wyoming Capitol is the seat of Wyoming’s Executive and Legislative branches of government. Finished in three phases, the state completed its first comprehensive four-year restoration in 2019.

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Wyoming State Capitol

Cheyenne | Park to Park

Visitors are invited to tour the capitol building on their own during normal hours or with a guided tour. Call 777-7220 for tour information. Home of the Wyoming legislature and the offices of top elected officials, the building also houses displays on the state’s wildlife and culture. The governor maintains an open door policy, so visitors may just see him walking through the halls or at work in his office. The building’s cornerstone was laid on May 18, 1887. Maps, a roster of territorial officers and other papers were placed in the cornerstone. The first two courses of the building are made from sandstone from the quarries of Fort Collins, Colorado. The remainder of the building was made of sandstone from the quarries in Rawlins, Wyoming. The Dome of the capitol is covered in just one ounce of real gold leaf. The dome is periodically regilded as damage occurs. The process has been done less than ten times. A highly skilled person is needed to put this leaf in place because, if handled incorrectly, it will disintegrate. The peak of the dome is 146 feet high, and the base is 50 feet in diameter. Hours: Monday through Friday, 8 a m. to 5 p. m.

Learn more about Park to Park

200 W 24th St

Cheyenne, WY, 82001

(307) 777-7220

Much More to Explore

There are many ways to get out and explore all that Wyoming has to offer. Explore things to do and places to go and make your Wyoming vacation one to remember forever.

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Visitors Guide

Sign up for our, savings pass, virtual tours of cheyenne.

<<2 Minute Read>>

Stuck at home? Yeah, me too. Luckily we aren’t VIRTUALLY stuck at home! Plan your outings for this summer with these virtual tours...

Over the last year, Visit Cheyenne worked with a company called Truly 360 to update much of our city’s Google Street View – including interior 360* tours of some of our favorite spots around town, so you can now explore Cheyenne attractions from the quarantined safety of your home!

To view these, click through the links, or type in “Google Street View (desired location)” and look on the left side for the “360*” tab. Click and drag to look around in each panel to explore.

Wyoming Historic Governors' Mansion ,  Cheyenne Botanic Gardens , the  Cheyenne Frontier Days Old West Museum ,  Cheyenne Depot Museum  and more!

Wyoming Historic Governor’s Mansion

Step back in time in the old governors’ residence. Occupied by the First Families between 1905 and 1976, the home-turned-museum now is overseen by the state’s cultural experts from the Wyoming State Parks Department. With a little bit of creative navigating though the 360 tour, you could couple this with the audio tour of the site by calling into (307) 316-0075.

Cheyenne Botanic Gardens

With several areas both inside and outdoors to explore, the Cheyenne Botanic Gardens will bring some smiles to your face as you tour from your couch and plan your next trip to the crowned jewel of Cheyenne!

CFD Old West Museum

For the rodeo, history, and old wagon fans in the crowd, the Cheyenne Frontier Days Old West Museum is a must-see. This air-conditioned haven during the summer may become your house-bound refuge for the next month.

Cheyenne Depot Museum

Unsurprisingly, there are several 360* tours of this one. A frequent stop on the tourist track, the Cheyenne Depot Museum highlights the importance trains have played in Cheyenne (the reason we are here!). The second floor has an intricate model train that will keep you looking for hidden dinosaurs – let us know if you can find them in the 360* tour!

Definitely a must-add to your post-quarantine adventure, Quebec One Missile Alert Facility is one of the newest attractions to the Cheyenne area. Get a sneak peek and head 60 feet below ground to see where our strongest military defense would have been launched from before the site was decommissioned.

Wyoming State Capitol Building

Newly renovated and opened last summer, the Capitol Building is a sight to behold. There are several versions of the 360 tours, allowing you to see the before and after images of the renovations as well.

Wyoming State Museum

The State Museum gives a great glimpse of our state’s past and present with a wide range of exhibits. Plot your must-stop displays with the family while you wait to go in person!

While we may be getting fidgety at home, these mini-escapes with your kids might just inspire some plans for this summer and really dig into what we have in our own backyard!

Andi Jaspersen

An artist, a mom, and a force for good, Andi rocks the Cheyenne scene. Passionate about highlighting what the community has to offer, she also authored  100 Things to Do in Cheyenne Before You Die  by Reedy Press.

Wyoming State Capitol

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Discovering the Wyoming Capitol Building

On our way from Montana to Texas for the winter we passed through Cheyenne, Wyoming, and spent a few days exploring the area. Discovering the Wyoming Capitol Building was on our list of things to do while in town.

The Wyoming Capitol Building is an impressive example of neoclassical architecture and a must-see destination for anyone visiting Cheyenne. Here’s a guide to everything you need to know before you visit.

Built in 1888, two years before Wyoming became the 44 th  state, the Wyoming State Capitol building sits at one end of 24th Street in Cheyenne and is the centerpiece of the Capitol Square.

Neoclassical Architecture at Its Finest

The impressive dome, the staircase, artwork and sculptures, wyoming capitol building tours, restoration, other things to see and do.

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The east wing of the first floor is home to the typical governor’s portrait gallery.  With the adopted nickname of the Equality State, Wyoming is proud of its claim as the first known government to grant women’s suffrage.  In 1869, when women were given the right to vote in Wyoming Territory, there was speculation that the measure was an attempt to attract more women to the territory.  

In 1925, Wyoming voters elected Nellie Tayloe Ross the first woman governor of a U.S. state, putting to rest the conjecture that women’s suffrage had been just a marketing ploy. Wyoming quickly garnered national attention when the first territorial assembly granted all women above the age of 21 the right to vote. This made Wyoming the first territory in the United States where women were granted the voting franchise.

The legislative chambers are on opposite wings of the second floor.  These wings were added to the statehouse in 1917.

The Capitol Building’s neoclassical design is a tribute to the state’s rich history and culture, as well as a testament to its commitment to building a functional and impressive government center. The building’s grand columns, intricate details, and imposing dome all showcase the neoclassical style popular during the early 20th century.

One of the most striking features of the Wyoming Capitol Building is its impressive dome. This key architectural feature stands out above the skyline at 146 feet tall, representing Wyoming’s values.

The Dome of the capitol is copper and tarnished so badly in 1900 that they began using gold leaf on the exterior of the dome. The 24-carat gold leaf dome is visible from all around the city. It has been re-gilded five times. Of the fifty state capitol buildings in the United States, only ten have gold leaf-covered domes. The gold leaf covering the 146′ high copper dome is so delicate, it disintegrates when touched by human hands.

The dome’s interior is equally impressive, featuring a beautiful stained glass ceiling that represents the state’s mineral and agricultural industries.

Thanks to the restoration work that was completed in 2019, the dome’s life expectancy went from a mere 15 years to 90 years.

The interior, three-level staircase in the Wyoming State Capitol in Cheyenne is charming. This stairwell features warm cherry woodwork, railings, and balusters framing delightful checkerboard marble floors.

There is a symbolic upside-down spindle in the wooden staircase leading to the Senate Chamber on the second floor, which was made by the Amish who believe that no person—or law—is perfect, only God is perfect. During the era when the building was constructed, this was apparently a common practice.

Be aware that most of the railings are lower than current building codes making it easier to potentially fall over .

Inside the Wyoming Capitol Building, visitors will find an impressive collection of artwork, including murals, paintings, and sculptures. The building is also home to important offices and chambers of the state government, including the Governor’s office, the Wyoming House of Representatives, and the Wyoming Senate.

A guided tour of the Wyoming Capitol Building is available, but since we arrived late in the day we decided to get a bit of information from the volunteer at the front desk and do a self-guided tour, wandering around the building as we pleased. We got to the Capitol Building at about 4:00 on a Friday afternoon so there wasn’t a lot going on. Spending about an hour and a half wandering the vacant halls and checking out all the floors and sites within the building. It truly is a beautiful building with a great history.

The guided tour provides visitors with a wealth of information about the history and significance of the building. Tour guides are knowledgeable and passionate about the building’s design and history, and offer interesting and informative commentary throughout the tour.

Click here for a self-guided tour brochure

Visiting the Capitol Building

The Wyoming Capitol Building is open to visitors every day of the week except for major holidays. Admission is free, making it a great destination for budget-conscious travelers. The building is located in the heart of Cheyenne, Wyoming, which is the state capital and a charming city with a rich history, interesting architecture, and culture.

200 W 24th St, Cheyenne, WY 82002

Parking is available on the street surrounding the Capitol. Be aware of timed parking limits in some areas. ADA parking is available in front of the Capitol building and on the north side of the Herschler Building. The public may also use the state parking lot located at the corner of 25th Street and Pioneer Ave, which also has ADA parking available. Visitors can enter the building from the south off 24th Street.

Monday – Friday: 8:00 am – 5:00 pm Saturday – Sunday: 9:00 am – 4:00 pm

Since this is the people’s house entry is Free

Originally built in 1886, the Wyoming Capitol Capitol has recently undergone an extensive three-year renovation project. It reopened to the public on July 10, 2019. Many improvements were made during this restoration. Some of the improvements included: the addition of stairs, elevators, and restrooms; the restoration of decorative paintings and moldings; and the improvement of the electrical and HVAC systems.

During the restoration phase, there were several discoveries of paintings, decorated architectural elements, and woodwork that were all carefully restored. The project’s attention to detail sets it apart from many other renovation and restoration efforts. Many small details were restored and recreated by hand.

One of our favorite places in the building was exploring the six Vaults on the first floor of the Capitol. They are fascinating pieces of the building’s history. These vaults were used throughout the years to store valuable documents and other items, including the state constitution and the Great Seal of Wyoming. Now that everything is digital they are display pieces.

Murals that had previously been painted over in coats of brown paint and forgotten about were rediscovered on the six vault doors. After being restored to their original state, the murals became a highlight of the project as they were not previously documented and had not been seen by the public for decades.

In addition to their historical significance, the vaults are also interesting from a design perspective. These vaults were found to have been made by Mosler Safe and Lock Company, which was a well-distinguished safe company at the time. The safes feature intricate locking mechanisms and heavy steel construction that were designed to protect their contents from theft or damage.

Visitors to the Capitol Building can see the six vaults on a guided tour or self-guided tour of the building’s first floor. It’s a unique opportunity to get an up-close of the vaults and learn more about the important role that the Capitol Building has played in Wyoming’s history.

• The Capitol Building is one of the few state capitol buildings in the United States that does not have a rotunda. Instead, it has a large central atrium that is open to the public.
• The building’s central atrium features a stunning stained glass skylight that was installed in the early 1900s. The skylight was designed by the famed artist John La Farge and features intricate patterns and colors that create a beautiful effect when the sunlight shines through.
• The Capitol Building was built between 1886 and 1890, but it was destroyed by a fire in 1895. The current building was constructed between 1897 and 1917.
• The statue on top of the Capitol Building’s dome is not the original. The original statue was damaged in a windstorm in 1929, and a replacement was installed in 1930.
• The Capitol Building’s interior is decorated with murals and paintings that depict scenes from Wyoming’s history, including the state’s early settlements and its mining and agricultural industries.
• It was a lot cheaper to build than it was to renovate. The Capitol was originally built for $150,000, the  modern-day equivalent  of $4 million. In 1890, the Territorial Legislature authorized another $215,000 for the construction of the east and west wings, the equivalent of $6 million in today’s money. The cost to renovate the Capitol building in 2017 was $116 million, along with an additional $184 million for improvements in and around Capitol Square.

If you’re looking for a fun adventure for the whole family finding all the Big Boots around Cheyenne is a great way to spend a day. You will learn the lay of the land, see some interesting sites and share some time with your loved ones.

The Wyoming Capitol Building is an architectural gem that is well worth a visit when in Cheyenne. We really enjoyed taking some time to explore the Capitol and learn more about the history of Wyoming, Cheyenne, and the building itself. Whether you’re a history buff, an art lover, or simply someone who appreciates impressive architecture, a visit to the Wyoming Capitol Building is sure to be a memorable experience.

Have you been to the Wyoming Capitol? What were your thoughts?

What interesting places can you recommend? We’re always looking for neat out-of-the-way experiences to add to our list of places to visit. Thank you for reading our article. If you have any comments or questions we’d love to hear from you below.

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Cheyenne › Attraction

Wyoming state capitol.

In the summer, when the streets of Cheyenne are shaded by large old oaks, it's easy to come upon the capitol building a bit by surprise. It's not a large capitol, as such things go, but it's a traditional one, with a gold-leaf dome and carved stone. The main structure was built in 1888; the wings were added in 1917, but otherwise, the stately building has undergone little change over the years. Inside you can admire the beautiful woodwork, stained glass, and sparkling marble floors, and view historical photos and exhibits on the state's wildlife. Outside, you can stop by three statues: a monument to the first female justice of the peace, Esther Hobart Morris; a bronze bison; and the Spirit of Wyoming -- the wild bucking horse emblazoned on every license plate in the state.

Note : This information was accurate when it was published, but can change without notice. Please be sure to confirm all rates and details directly with the companies in question before planning your trip.

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Book a Tour

Reservations are recommended .

The Capitol Visitor Center is open Monday-Saturday from 8:30 a.m.-4:30 p.m. Tours begin every 10 minutes until 3:20 p.m. All tours are led by our professional tour guides and visit the  Crypt , the  Rotunda  and  National Statuary Hall . The tour does not include the  Senate and House Galleries . The tour route is subject to change.

Reservations are recommended, but not required. Visit the  schedule a tour  page to select a day/time for a reservation. Same day passes may be available. Visitors without reservations are encouraged to arrive at the Capitol Visitor Center as early in the day as possible, but no later than 2:30 p.m., to obtain passes.

All tours, programs and activities are free of charge.

Visitors enter through the Capitol Visitor Center, located underground on the east side of the Capitol. Please leave time to go through security and review the U.S. Capitol’s  prohibited items list  before your visit.

You can begin your Capitol experience at the Visitor Center by visiting Exhibition Hall , perusing our Gift Shops or getting a bite to eat at the Capitol Cafe.

For information on tours offered in Mandarin and Spanish, please view the Foreign Language Tours page.

How Do I Cancel My Reservation?

You can cancel your reservation through your account in the Capitol Visitor Center’s online reservation system.

• Go to  https://tours.visitthecapitol.gov  (A new page will open.)
• Beneath the blue banner reading “Reserve a Tour of the Capitol,” click on the link to log in. (A sign in/signup dialog box will open.)
• In the sign in section, log in with your email address and password.
• Search for reservations by clicking “More” in the “My Reservations” tab.
• Once you have located your reservation, click the link to “Cancel.”

A History of the Wyoming Capitol

The Wyoming Capitol has stood as a symbol of the spirit of the people of Wyoming for well over a century. Through struggles small and large, the state has persevered and thrived. Many additions, updates and improvements have been made to the physical building.

Established as a territory in 1869, Wyoming quickly garnered national attention when the first territorial assembly granted all women above the age of 21 the right to vote. This made Wyoming the first territory in the United States where women were granted the voting franchise. The suffrage act was motivated by a number of factors, including enticing more women to the territory to increase the population, bringing in more voters and genuine concerns that women should be allowed to vote.

Wyoming was still sparsely populated in 1886 when Territorial Gov. Francis E. Warren spoke of a need for public buildings. The territorial legislature passed a bill authorizing the construction of a capitol at a cost not to exceed $150,000. Warren signed the bill on March 4, 1886, and appointed the Capitol Building Commission to take care of the details. The commission purchased a site on Hill Street, now Capitol Avenue, for $13,100. David W. Gibbs of Toledo, Ohio, was selected as the architect. The company of Adam Feick & Bros. of Sandusky, Ohio, submitted the winning construction bid of $131,275.13. The contractors broke ground on September 9, 1886.

In Ohio, the Feicks had completed several buildings similar to what commission members desired for the Wyoming Capitol. Since the distance was so great from Sandusky to Cheyenne, the Feicks subcontracted with Robert C. Greenlee of Denver to oversee the project and sent Adam Feick’s son, John, to supervise in Cheyenne.

Twenty-five-year-old John Feick arrived in Cheyenne on February 2, 1887. He wrote of his impressions of the climate and culture to his young bride, Lizzie, who remained in Ohio. He posted a short note to her on arrival: “I just arrived at Cheyenne right side up and handled with care. … [I]t is snowing & blowing bad enough to scare a man to death his first night.” He followed this by a longer letter. Feick’s original spelling and punctuation have been retained:

February 5, 1887 Dearest Wife: I suppose you received the letter I wrote you when I arrived. I had quite a long trip, and feel very lonesome and homesick for you, to be fifteen hundred miles away from you and in a part of the country where you have to wear a belly-band to keep your cap on your head is a pretty bad thing. There are very wealthy people living in this town but they all look to me like Cow-boys, Lizzie you can not imagine what kind of a country this is you can go just one hundred miles straight out in the country and not see a house or a living sole, but wolves, prarie Dogs, Deer, there are some very heigh hountains that you can see from Cheyenne that have snow on the top all the year around and the cars run to the top of them and that is 8000 feet heigher than Cheyenne. Cheyenne is just two and one half miles heigher in the air than Sandusky is, so you can imagine how the wind blows. I will close for two night and write you another letter in the morning, hoping to hear from you soon. Your true & faithful husband, John A. Feick

John boarded at several places in Cheyenne before constructing his own quarters in a small building near the Capitol that he referred to as his “castle.” He adapted to life in Wyoming and told Lizzie on March 15, 1887, “I begin to like this country better every day the grass is coming out green and the leaves are coming out on the trees, the air is so clear and pure that you can see one Hundred and fifty miles and see the snow on all the tops of Mountains.”

Work progressed on the Capitol and John wrote to Lizzie of the plans for laying the cornerstone:

May 2, 1887 Dearest Wife: People here are going crazy over the cornerstone they have collected $1800.00 Dollars to lay it with, they are going to have a BarberCue, that is something that you or I never saw in the East, perhaps you don’t know what a Barber Cue is, if you don’t I’ll not tell you what is until you come to see it. The People of Cheyenne have appointed me on two commitees on Committee of arrangements, and on the Committee of receptions, so you see I don’t belong to you common people in Ohio any more. … If you come out here and stay till fall you can vote, all women have the right to vote when in the Territory 3 months. Yours as ever, John A. Feick

Although Lizzie was not present for the laying of the cornerstone on May 18, 1887, dignitaries and ordinary citizens gathered to celebrate the momentous occasion. The Cheyenne Daily Sun  reported that the laying of the capitol cornerstone was “the occasion of the greatest military and civic demonstration ever witnessed in the history of the city.”

A copper box was placed in the cornerstone, containing such items such as the laws of Wyoming, an impression of the great seal, newspapers and photographs. The dedication ceremony included a speech by Territorial Judge Joseph M. Carey (who later became Wyoming’s territorial representative to Congress, U.S. senator and governor). Following the ceremony, the crowd thronged to the barbecue, where it dined on pork, mutton, roast beef, bread, cornerstone pickles and lemonade.

On May 26, 1887, John Feick wrote his wife, “I suppose by this time you know what kind of a time we had at the laying of the Corner Stone, people expect to have a larger time on Decoration day, [present Memorial Day] I tell you this is a great country for excitement. People are more liberal & a nicer class of people than you find in the east.”

Feick left Cheyenne in March of 1888, having completed his duties. The couple remained in Sandusky where John continued working with the family business, which continues today under the name of Feick Contractors Inc. and Feick Design Group Inc.

The Capitol Building Commission accepted the completed building from Adam Feick & Bros., and the commission submitted its final report on March 31, 1888. The territorial assembly had already passed a bill providing $215,000 for construction of additional public buildings including $125,000 for adding wings to the Capitol on its east and west sides, which were completed on April 4, 1890.

In 1889, the Wyoming Constitutional Convention met in the Territorial House Chamber of the new capitol. The two-story room included a public balcony, a stained-glass laylight and a brilliant chandelier. In this historic room, Wyoming reaffirmed the right of women to vote and included that right in the state constitution. The space also served as the Wyoming Supreme Court’s chamber and later housed the Legislative Service Office. Today, the historic Territorial House Chamber is once again restored as it was in 1889 and is a public meeting room. The Wyoming Capitol is designated a national historic landmark because of this room and the inclusion of women’s suffrage in Wyoming’s constitution.

On March 26, 1890, Wyoming Territory’s congressional delegate, Joseph M. Carey, introduced a bill calling for statehood. Because of its low population (estimated at around 62,000 in 1890), there was some opposition in the U.S. Congress. Despite those protests, including an objection to female suffrage, Wyoming became the 44th state when President Benjamin Harrison signed the bill on July 10, 1890.

The official celebration occurred in Cheyenne on July 23. Nearly 5,000 people attended the formal observance, which included a two-mile parade leading to the capitol, ceremonial speeches, a grand ball and fireworks.

The capitol has undergone many additions and upgrades since Wyoming became a state. Additional wings were added in 1917 with William Dubois of Cheyenne as the architect. In 1980 the Capitol underwent a $7 million upgrade with modern lighting, heating and air-conditioning systems and exterior maintenance, including restoration of masonry, rebuilding the dome and repainting of surfaces.

In 2014, after much deliberation, the Wyoming legislature agreed to a total renovation of the capitol. Construction began in 2016, and the building was closed. It's due to reopen July 10, 2019 for tours on Statehood Day, close again for final construction work and to open for general use late in 2019. The Capitol Square Project comprises four interrelated components: rehabilitation and restoration of the Capitol; replacement, relocation and expansion of the central utility plant; remodeling and expansion of the underground passageway that connects the Capitol to the Herschler Building, which is a large state office building immediately to the north; and rehabilitation and expansion of the Herschler Building.

The capitol was in dire need of upgrades to meet safety standards and modern technology issues. The rehabilitation included the reorganization of all mechanical, electrical and plumbing systems, two new elevators and interior staircases, restrooms on every floor and additional meeting rooms.

During the current renovation, significant historical elements were discovered that had been altered or covered over, such as coffered ceilings, cornices, ornate columns, arched doorways, tall windows, decorative door knobs and woodwork. Many of these elements have been restored to their original grandeur. The many works of art within the capitol symbolizing the history of Wyoming and depicting frontier life in the West, including paintings by William Gollings and murals by Allen Tupper True, have also been preserved.

The exterior was updated, and some of the worn sandstone and masonry was replaced or repaired. The capitol dome was swathed in covering for months of repairs. The dome is constructed of copper gilded in gold leaf. Some damaged parts of the dome were replaced and the dome panels were covered with gold leaf imported from Italy. The grand re-opening of the Capitol, set for July 10, 2019, will showcase the capitol dome as an icon of Wyoming that glows with renewed glory for all the state to celebrate.

Total costs were projected at $299 million, including $116 million for general rehabilitation and restoration; $19 million for central utility plant replacement and relocation; $19 million for the capitol extension and connecting tunnel to the Herschler Building; $57 million to remodel and expand the Herschler Building; $8 million for site work and landscaping; and $80 million for furnishings, fixtures, equipment, design services, contingency fund, and temporary space leases while the work was underway.

Wyoming’s 32nd governor, Matt Mead, stated, “The restored Capitol will stand for the next century—a symbol of Wyoming statehood and all it encompasses. It will welcome visitors and those who participate in government. The Capitol is, perhaps, the most important building in the state. It represents the ideals of the people of Wyoming now, just as it did when the cornerstone was laid 130 years ago.”

( Editor’s note: Special thanks to Wyoming Humanities , which supported development of this article. The book, A History of the Wyoming Capitol , by Starley Talbott and Linda Graves Fabian, was published by The History Press in late June, 2019 ).

Primary Sources

• The Cheyenne Daily Sun , May 19, 1887, 5, accessed May 27, 2019 via https://newspapers.wyo.gov .
• Feick, John Adam II, great-grandson of John Feick. E-mail to Starley Talbott. June 18, 2018.
• Girt, Rachel. “Saving Wyoming’s architectural treasure for future generations.” Wyoming Rural Electric News , July 2017, 16-19.
• Madsen, Wendy. Special projects manager, state of Wyoming. Personal interviews with authors. Nov. 10, 2017 and April 17, 2018.

Secondary Sources

• Ewig, Rick. “The Letters of John A. Feick.” Annals of Wyoming  59, no. 1 (Spring 1987): 2-14.
• Ewig, Rick, Linda Rollins and Betty Giffin. Wyoming’s Capitol . Cheyenne, Wyo.: Wyoming State Press, 1987, 1-15.
• Larson, T.A. History of Wyoming.  2d ed., rev. Lincoln: University of Nebraska Press, 1978, 79, 145, 155, 258, 259, 260.
• “Statement of Historical Significance.” National Register of Historic Places Nomination Form. Cheyenne, Wyo.: Wyoming State Historic Preservation Office, January 29, 1973.

For further reading

• Talbott, Starley and Linda Graves Fabian, A History of the Wyoming Capitol , due from Charleston, S.C.: The History Press, in late June, 2019.

Illustrations

• All photos are from the collections of the Wyoming State Archives . Used with permission and thanks.

Wyoming State Capitol in Cheyenne

The Wyoming State Capitol building is the seat of the Wyoming State Legislature and the Governor’s Office. This modest and comparatively inexpensive Capitol of the smallest U.S. state by population is a working government building and symbol of Wyoming and its past.

The land that became Wyoming was originally the territory of Native peoples. Wyoming’s modern Native tribes include the Ute, Arapaho, Cheyenne, Shoshone, and Crow. The California Trail, Oregon Trail, and Mormon Trail all passed through Wyoming and brought droves of white settlers through the area on their way to the West Coast and Utah the mid-nineteenth century, though few took up residence in the Wyoming area itself. The U.S. Government negotiated the Treaty of Fort Laramie in an effort to protect settlers moving through the area by compensating tribes and building forts. The U.S. Government soon reneged on these treaty obligations and on those of a second Fort Laramie Treaty, causing an escalating cycle of violence. The U.S. Government eventually forced the remaining Native peoples of Wyoming into the reservation system.

Cheyenne began as a stop along the Union Pacific Railroad line in 1867 and quickly surpassed other population centers to become the Territorial Capitol and then State Capitol, as well as Wyoming’s largest city. Ranching, mining, and agriculture continued to draw a trickle of settlers, but the harsh environment, scarce arable land, and temperature extremes restricted the population. Wyoming became its own territory on July 25, 1868 under Andrew Johnson’s presidency and inaugurated its first government May 19, 1869. It achieved statehood July 10, 1890 despite disputes over whether it had achieved the minimum population threshold at that time. In 1886, the Territorial Legislature created a Capitol Commission to organize construction of a capitol building. It chose David W. Gibbs & Co. to design the Capitol and Adam Feick & Bros. to construct it at a bid of only $150,000, worth a little over $4,000,000 in 2020. The Territorial Legislature used the building even before its completion in 1890. By 1915, the State Legislature had outgrown the building and voted to add the House and Senate chambers to the structure, which were completed in 1917.

The Capitol is a Renaissance Revival structure made of both native and Colorado sandstone with a copper dome, which was later gilded in 1900. The interior is finished in marble with a beautiful cherrywood staircase with murals decorating many of the walls. An enormous stuffed bison stands in part of the rotunda, and a bronze bison sculpture stands outside. The bison was a critical part of the diet and culture of the Native people of Wyoming and the intentional near extinction of the animal by white hunters was a severe blow to them. Now, the bison is a symbol of the state and adorns its flag.

In 2016 the Capitol underwent a major renovation which restored decorative elements, added more accessibility with additional elevators and restrooms, and upgraded technology resources. These improvements, completed in 2019, will ensure that the State Capitol building can continue to function as the working seat of government for the people of Wyoming for many years to come.

Related Resources

• Native Languages of the Americas. “Native American Tribes of Wyoming.” Accessed April 13, 2021. http://www.native-languages.org/wyoming.htm .
• Ruggiero, Francis Pio . State Capitols: Temples of Sovereignty . Milford, PA: Excelsior, 2002.
• Wyoming Administration & Information. “Visit the Capitol.” Accessed April 13, 2021. https://ai.wyo.gov/about-us/visit-the-capitol .
• Wyoming State Historical Society. Accessed April 13, 2021. https://wyshs.org/ .

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The Wyoming State Capitol

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About The Wyoming State Capitol

Located in Cheyenne, the historic Wyoming State Capitol building is a beautiful example of Beaux Arts architecture. The building was constructed in 1890 and served as the state capitol until 1977. The building is now a museum and is open to the public for tours.The Wyoming State Capitol is featured on the Roaming Wyoming Scavenger Hunt .

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The building is an important reminder of the state's political history and is a popular destination for visitors to the area.

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• Cheyenne, Wyoming

by Peter Corbett | Jun 9, 2023 | Travel & Preservation , True Western Towns

A ‘Hell on Wheels’ town with a rowdy rodeo welcomes visitors to stay and enjoy the hometown atmosphere.

It’s America’s smallest state by population but boasts of having the World’s Largest Outdoor Rodeo and Western Celebration.

We’re talking about Wyoming—the Cowboy State—and its rambunctious rodeo celebration for Cheyenne Frontier Days, celebrated since 1897. This year the “Daddy of ’Em All” rodeo festivities are July 21-30.  

Close to a quarter million people attend Frontier Days, which is equal to about 43 percent of Wyoming’s population of 581,000.

Cheyenne, Wyoming’s capital and largest city, welcomes rodeo visitors with concerts, a carnival midway, Western art show, parades and a pancake breakfast for 10,000 people.  

If that’s not enough, Cheyenne also stages its Hell on Wheels Rodeo combined with chuck wagon dinners. It’s held at Laramie County fairgrounds on six dates from June to early September.  

Hell on Wheels fits right in with Cheyenne’s frontier history as a railroad town with a colorful past.  

“We wouldn’t be here if it wasn’t for the Union Pacific,” said Andi Jaspersen, author of 100 Things to Do in Cheyenne Before You Die (Reedy Press, 2022).

General Grenville Dodge, Union Pacific Railroad chief engineer, and a survey crew plotted Cheyenne in 1867 where the tracks crossed Crow Creek. The Union Pacific’s first work train steamed into Cheyenne on November 13, 1867. The site of the new town was roughly halfway between Omaha, Nebraska, and Ogden, Utah, near where the Union Pacific joined the Central Pacific Railroad at Promontory, Utah, in May 1869 to complete the transcontinental railroad.  

Cheyenne became an instant metropolis within months and was dubbed “Magic City of the Plains.” The Los Angeles Daily News reported that even before the Iron Horse arrived “thousands of spectators, traders, gamblers and even prostitutes” made their way to the railroad camp to get rich quick.

The Arcade with 50 gambling tables, four bars and several bands was packed with “a crowd eagerly waltzing to the tune of cards, greenbacks and whiskey straight,” according to the LA paper.  

By December 1868, the Union Pacific extended the tracks to Evanston in what became Wyoming’s western edge upon statehood in 1890. A far less rowdy Cheyenne grew up to be a hub of transportation and commerce.

The Union Pacific completed its majestic Cheyenne Depot in 1887. Built of large sandstone blocks, the depot with its six-story clocktower, is a bookend for downtown Cheyenne. Ten blocks away is the Wyoming State Capitol.

“Cheyenne actually has the last remaining grand depot on the transcontinental railroad,” Jespersen said. “We’re really spoiled.”  

The Depot Museum spotlights Cheyenne and Union Pacific history. From a second-floor mezzanine, visitors watch trains pass with views of the railroad’s roundhouse and steam shop.  

Depot Plaza hosts community festivals, Friday night summer concerts and the Wyoming Brewers Festival June 16-17.  

Across the plaza is The Wrangler, an iconic Western wear store that’s operated by Boot Barn. The three-story building is vintage 1892, and it’s been The Wrangler for 80 years.

Shapers use steam to customize hats. “They find out how deep you want your creases and how high you want it to flip,” Jespersen said.  

Visitors can take self-guided walking tours of Cheyenne of varying lengths or jump on the Cheyenne Street Railway Trolley for a 90-minute Wild West History Tour.  

One of Jespersen’s favorite destinations is Terry Bison Ranch Resort, south of town.  

“It’s a working bison ranch with a domesticated herd,” she said. Visitors ride a train out into a pasture where they can feed the bison from a safe perch from the open coaches. “You definitely couldn’t do this in Yellowstone.”  

She notes that a bison’s tongue is sandpiper rough, like a giant cat’s tongue.

Another Cheyenne favorite is the Blue Raven Brewery in the historic Corson House.  

“That is definitely a downtown favorite to hang out at on nice days because it’s nice and shady on the patio,” Jespersen said. “I love that place.

Where History Meets the Highway

Visit Cheyenne, One Depot Square, West 15th Street, Suite 202.

cheyenne.org

DRESS WESTERN

Get your boots and hat at The Wrangler, a shop that’s been selling Western wear for 80 years.  

bootbarn.com

HAMBURGER DELIGHT

2 Doors Down, 118 E. 17th Street, serves up more than a dozen gourmet burgers with bottomless French fries.

2doorsdown.net

STAY IN AN HISTORIC MANSION

Nagle Warren Mansion Bed & Breakfast was built in 1888 by an early Cheyenne merchant and later occupied by one of Wyoming’s first U.S. senators.  

naglewarrenmansion.com

RAVIN’ ABOUT VINTAGE MICROBREWERY

Blue Raven Brewery serves its suds in the Corson House, an 1883 Queen Anne cottage. Beer is brewed in the carriage house.  

blueravenbrewery.com

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In This Issue:

• Punch Your Ticket!
• Delivering Justice
• The Deadly Escape
• Did the Devil Make Me Do It?
• Kit Carson and the Conquest of California
• The Iron Horse and Kit Carson

Western Books & Movies

• Clint Howard
• Pack Your Bags and Pack a Book…or Two or Three or More!
• A Season of Destiny and Infamy

To The Point

• Kit Lit & Fit

More In This Issue

• What History Has Taught Me with Mike Cox
• Tunstall, Sabers and the Big Die-Off
• Oregon Cherries
• The Law Comes to Oklahoma
• The 1873 Trapdoor Springfield—One Model, Many Changes
• The Earth Abides
• Will This Bell Toll Again?
• Truth or Adair
• Shooting Back
• Truth Be Known
• All Aboard!

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