Chronological Events Related to Wyoming Places
February 1809
Wyoming celebrates the Lincoln Bicentennial
Although our state was created after the Lincoln Presidency, our history was impacted by his actions.
June 1849
On June 26, 1849 the U.S. Government purchased Fort Laramie from the American Fur Company for $4000.00.
November 1867
On November 13, 1867, the rails of the Union Pacific Railroad were laid into
Cheyenne followed shortly by a whistle-blowing locomotive.
December 1869
In December, 1869, the Wyoming Territorial Legislative Assembly created Uinta County.
December 1878
On December 30, 1878, Camp Brown was renamed Fort Washakie, after
Chief Washakie of the Shoshone tribe.
August 1898
On August 11, 1898, four climbers sponsored by the Rocky Mountain Club made the first documented ascent of the Grand Teton.
October 1908
On October 23, 1908, a Dutch company brought in the Salt Creek Oil Field's
first gusher at the depth of 1,050 feet.
January 1909
In January 1909, the publication of the first edition of the Jackson's Hole Courier, the area's first newspaper, was delayed
for three weeks due to the closure of Teton Pass because of snow.
April 1909
Pathfinder Car crosses Wyoming
In April, 1909, a four man crew in a Thomas Flyer "Pathfinder Car" crossed the country laying out a route
for the New York to Seattle "ocean to ocean" automobile race that was to be held that summer.
May 1909
Powell is celebrating its centennial.
July 1909
In May, 1909, the town of Wyopow was created. It was located near Lander.
On July 15, the pipe line around which the town was built, was completed
and a celebration held.
August 1909
Did Dempsey become Lucerne?
September 1909
In September, 1909 work resumed on the Shoshone Dam. In July, the most severe flooding since
construction began in 1904, raised the Shoshone River 17.3 feet above the completed portion of the dam.
October 1909
In October, 1909, the cornerstone was laid for Jireh College's Wilkinson Hall.
November 1909
In November, 1909 the Riverton News reported that a new town on the
Burlington Railroad would be named Bonneville.
December 1909
In December, 1909, Wyoming newspapers reported on the establishment of the town
of Van Tassell, located 20 miles east of Lusk near the Wyoming-Nebraska border.
January 1910
In January, 1910, newspapers throughout Wyoming reported on the completion of the
Shoshone Dam. In 1946, it was renamed the Buffalo Bill Dam in honor of William F. "Buffalo Bill" Cody.
February 1910
In February, 1910, the Union Pacific Railroad announced that passenger trains would begin use of
the Borie Cutoff from Laramie to Denver, bypassing Cheyenne. Trains coming from
Laramie would go through Borie to Speer before heading south to Denver.
March 1910
In March, 1910, the town site for Lingle was surveyed and platted.
March 1929
In March, 1929, after operating since December, 1889, the coal mines at Cambria were closed.