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Cheyenne, WY

Frequently asked questions

Cheyenne, WY

Cheyenne is the capital and most populous city of the U.S. state of Wyoming, as well as the county seat of Laramie County, with 65,132 residents, per the 2020 US Census. It is the principal city of the Cheyenne metropolitan statistical area which encompasses all of Laramie County and had 100,512 residents as of the 2020 census. Residents named the town for the Cheyenne Native American people in 1867 when it was founded in the Dakota Territory. Along with Oklahoma City, Oklahoma and Topeka, Kansas, Cheyenne is one of three state capitals with an indigenous name in a state with an indigenous name.

Cheyenne is the northern terminus of the extensive Southern Rocky Mountain Front, which extends southward to Albuquerque, New Mexico, and includes the fast-growing Front Range Urban Corridor. Cheyenne is situated on Crow Creek and Dry Creek.

Lying near the southeast corner of the state, Cheyenne is one of the least centrally located state capitals in the nation (together with cities such as Carson City, Nevada; Juneau, Alaska; Tallahassee, Florida; Topeka, Kansas; and Trenton, New Jersey). According to the United States Census Bureau, the city has a total area of 24.63 square miles (63.79 km²), of which 24.52 square miles (63.51 km²) is land and 0.11 square miles (0.28 km²) is water. 

At a celebration on July 4, 1867, Grenville M. Dodge of the Union Pacific Railroad announced the selection of a townsite for its mountain region headquarters adjacent to the bridge the railroad planned to build across Crow Creek in the Territory of Dakota. At the same celebration, Major General Christopher C. Augur announced the selection of a site three miles (5 km) west of Crow Creek Crossing for a U.S. Army fort to protect the railroad.

The Union Pacific Railroad platted its Crow Creek Crossing townsite on July 5, 1867. Residents named the town Cheyenne for the Cheyenne Native American people. On August 8, 1867, the Town of Cheyenne, Dakota Territory was incorporated, and on August 10, 1867, H. M. Hook was elected as Cheyenne's first mayor. The tracks of the Union Pacific Railroad reached Cheyenne on November 13, 1867, and the first train arrived the following day. Cheyenne grew so quickly it gained the nickname of "Magic City of the Plains".

On September 8, 1867, the United States Army established Fort D.A. Russell in honor of Brigadier General David Allen Russell. Initially a cavalry encampment, construction of the fort began the following month. The fort was renamed Fort Francis E. Warren in 1930 in honor of the first Governor of the State of Wyoming, Francis E. Warren. The fort was transferred to the new United States Air Force and was renamed Francis E. Warren Air Force Base in October 1949.

On July 25, 1868, the United States organized the Territory of Wyoming. Territorial Governor John Allen Campbell arrived in Cheyenne on May 7, 1869, and named Cheyenne the temporary territorial capital. Cheyenne has remained the only capital of Wyoming. On December 10, 1869, the first session of the Wyoming Territorial Legislature met in Cheyenne. That day, the legislature passed and Territorial Governor Campbell signed an act to re-incorporate the Town of Cheyenne, Wyoming Territory, and an act granting women the right to vote, the first U.S. state or territory to grant suffrage to women.

Health and wellness are paramount in Cheyenne, with the city offering various amenities and services to support the well-being of its residents. The Cheyenne Regional Medical Center stands as a cornerstone in providing comprehensive healthcare services to the community. Explore the parks, facilities, and programs the Cheyenne Parks and Recreation Department offers. These spaces provide opportunities for outdoor activities such as walking, jogging, sports, and picnicking. Join local fitness centers and gyms to participate in exercise programs, fitness classes, and strength training. Some popular options include Fitness 307, Mary's Fitness and Fitness And Wellness Gym. Discover the walking and biking trails in and around Cheyenne, such as the Crow Creek Trail to Hidden Falls and Stone Temple Circuit. These trails offer opportunities for outdoor exercise and enjoyment of nature.

Top sites in Cheyenne, WY are Cheyenne Botanic Gardens, Cheyenne Depot Museum, Cheyenne Frontier Days Old West Museum, and Wyoming State Museum.

Population: 65,168 (2023). ZIP codes: 82001–82003, 82006–82010. Area code: 307. Elevation: 1,855 m. Area: 32.37 sq mi (83.84 km²).

FAQs

Is Cheyenne, WY a great place to live?

Living in Cheyenne offers residents a sparse suburban feel and most residents own their homes. In Cheyenne there are a lot of bars and parks. Many families and young professionals live in Cheyenne and residents tend to lean conservative.

What is special about Cheyenne, WY?

Cheyenne - the name brings forth romantic images of the West - cowboys, rodeos, railroads and majestic plains. The town's slogan, "Cheyenne - Live the Legend," is an invitation to step back into the Old West. As the nation's rodeo and railroad capital, the city is home to Cheyenne Frontier Days, the world's largest outdoor rodeo, and Big Boy, the world's largest steam engine.

Is Cheyenne, WY expensive to live in?

Cheyenne, Wyoming's cost of living is 5% lower than the national average. Cheyenne's housing expenses are 10% lower than the national average and the utility prices are 20% lower than the national average. Transportation expenses like bus fares and gas prices are 2% lower than the national average.

Sources

Wikipedia

City of Cheyenne

Cheyenne Regional Medical Center

Cheyenne Parks and Recreation Department 

Fitness 307

Mary's Fitness 

Fitness And Wellness Gym

Crow Creek Trail to Hidden Falls 

Stone Temple Circuit

Cheyenne Botanic Gardens

Cheyenne Depot Museum

Cheyenne Frontier Days Old West Museum

Wyoming State Museum

Niche

Visit Cheyenne

Payscale

The content herein is provided for general informational purposes only and is not a substitute for professional medical advice, diagnosis, or treatment. Medical information changes constantly, and therefore the content on this website should not be assumed to be current, complete, or exhaustive. Always seek the advice of your doctor before starting or changing treatment. If you have a medical emergency, please call your doctor or 9-1-1 (in the United States) immediately.