Wednesday in Wyoming - July 15, 2026

 

How often do you see this many cattle being herded along an interstate? Not very often, I'd guess.

The cattle drive used to be the traditional unofficial start to Cheyenne Frontier Days and took place during the morning of the Sunday before the official start. Unfortunately, due to safety considerations, this event, which I personally found fun to watch, has been discontinued. I'm glad I have pictures of it.

Wednesday in Wyoming - July 8, 2026

 

Have you seen the Wyoming State Seal? Many aspects of the state's history including equal rights and becoming the 44th state as well as its economy (livestock, grain, mines, oil) are portrayed on it.

If you're in Cheyenne, you can find the seal at the State Capitol building. 

Wednesday in Wyoming - July 1, 2026

 

Since America is approaching its semiquincentennial, it seemed appropriate to start the month with a picture of Wyoming's Liberty Bell. This is a full-scale replica of the original symbol of the country's independence.

You might have thought, as I did, that it was erected as part of the bicentennial celebration, but that's not the case. It was one of more than fifty Liberty Bells that the Treasury Department commissioned in 1950 to promote the sale of savings bonds. 

Was the drive successful? I don't know. What I do know is that the bell spent more than sixty years on the grounds of the state capitol before it was taken indoors to be restored. It's now in front of the State Museum.

Wednesday in Wyoming - June 24, 2026

 

Esther Morris is sometimes credited with drafting the bill that led to Wyoming becoming the first state to grant women the right to vote, but it turns out that the sole author was William Bright.

However, she holds a unique place in history. Esther Morris was the first woman justice of the peace in the United States. How's that for a first? 

Wednesday in Wyoming - June 17, 2026

 

You may have known that Wyoming was the first state to grant women suffrage, but did you know that it was a woman named Louisa Swain who cast that ballot? 

Wednesday in Wyoming - June 10, 2026

 

You probably knew that Yellowstone was the first national park, but did you know that Devils Tower (no apostrophe in it, even though a grammar purist like me would insist on one) is the world's first national monument? 

Wednesday in Wyoming - June 3, 2026

 

Since Wyomingites are proud of the fact that our state was the site of many firsts, I'm going to highlight some of them this month.

I'm sure you recognize this. Yes, it's Old Faithful, the iconic geyser from Yellowstone, the world's first national park.