Cheyenne, city (2020 pop. 65,132),
alt. 6,062 ft (1,848 m), state capital and seat of Laramie co., SE Wyo.,
near the Colo. and Nebr. lines; inc. 1868. It is a market for sheep and
cattle ranches and a shipping center with good transportation facilities.
Manufactures include dairy, wood, petroleum, and metal products; feeds,
lumber, machinery, and construction materials. The city was established
after the Union Pacific RR selected the site for a division point in 1867.
It was made territorial capital in 1869. In the 1870s the development of
cattle ranching and the opening of the Black Hills gold fields stimulated
the city's growth. Cheyenne revives its past annually with a Frontier Days
celebration, first held in 1897. Landmarks include the state capitol and the
supreme court building, which houses the state historical museum and
library. Nearby is Francis E. Warren Air Force Base.
The Columbia Electronic Encyclopedia, 6th ed. Copyright © 2024, Columbia University Press. All rights reserved.
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