The oldest towns in Wyoming were founded starting in the 1860s and incorporated as towns from the 1880s to the 1890s. Most of the towns were founded due to the development of the railway lines. Here are some of the oldest towns in Wyoming based on their dates of incorporation and their ties to history.
- Cheyenne
Vasiliymeshko/Wikipedia Cheyenne is the capital and the most populated city in Wyoming. It was named after the regional Native American tribe. The town was built around the Union Pacific Railroad that passed through on its way to the West coast. In fact, the town grew so fast it became known as the “Magic City of the Plains”. Cheyenne was founded in 1867 and incorporated as a town in 1869.See some of the town’s history at the Depot Museum.
- Laramie
Haines Photo Co./Wikimedia Commons Laramie was founded along the Union Pacific Railroad line in the mid 1860s as a tent city. In fact, the railroad crosses over the Laramie River. The town was named after a French trapper who disappeared in the Laramie Mountains. The first woman to serve on a jury and the first woman to vote in a general election were from Laramie. Laramie was incorporated as a town in 1874. Pictured is the town around 1908. Here are a few reasons you might want to make Laramie your new home.
- Buffalo
Acroterion/Wikimedia Commons Buffalo is nestled in the foothills of the Big Horn Mountains. The town was founded in 1879 and incorporated as a town in 1884. This town has historical ties to Butch Cassidy and the Sundance Kid, Buffalo Bill Cody, Tom Horn, Calamity Jane, Owen Wister, and Teddy Roosevelt.
Read more about the history you can see when you visit Buffalo, right here.
- Douglas
Unknown Author/Wikimedia Commons Douglas, known as the “Tent City”, was founded when the Wyoming Central Railway established a railway station there. It also served as a supply point for nearby cattle ranches and is home to the World War II Internment Camp. Douglas was incorporated as a town in 1887. Pictured is the town of Douglas in the 1920’s. Some quirky history: Douglas is the birthplace of the mythical Jackalope.
- Evanston
EvanstonWyoming/Wikipedia The town was established around 1868 during the development of the First Transcontinental Railroad. It housed a roundhouse to service locomotives. Evanston was also a major stop along the Lincoln Highway. The town of Evanston was incorporated in 1888. This tiny town is also home to a wildly underrated steakhouse.
- Rock Springs
Milonica/Wikipedia Rock Springs is known as the “Home of 56 Nationalities” due to the influx of immigrants from all over the world that came to work in the coal mines. The coal mines supplied the fuel for the steam engines of the Union Pacific Railroad. Rock Springs was incorporated as a town in 1888.
Not all of Rock Springs’ history is as it seems. Read more about a tragic mining accident that shaped the town’s tale, right here.
- Casper
Adbay/Wikipedia Casper is nestled at the foot of Casper Mountain and is the second largest city in Wyoming. History ties the town to Fort Caspar which started out as a trading post and later became a military post for the U.S. Army. The town was developed as a stopping point during the development of the Wyoming Central Railway. Casper was incorporated as a town in 1889.
The best view of Casper is from above!
- Lander
Charles Willgren/Wikipedia The town of Lander was named for the transcontinental explorer, Frederick W. Lander. The town was the end of the line of the Chicago and North Western Railway. Lander was incorporated as a town in 1890. Visitors to Lander instantly fall in love with this community.
- Green River
Milonica/Wikipedia Green River was incorporated twice. The first time in 1868 and then again in 1891. The town was the starting point for the famous expeditions led by John Wesley Powell. The town was also a division point of the Union Pacific Railroad. Get to know Green River a little better this year.
- Gillette
Mr. Satterly/Wikipedia Gillette is known as the “Energy Capital of the World”. The town was a huge producer of coal, oil, and cabled methane. The town, nestled between the Big Horn Mountains and the Black Hills, was named after a surveyor for the Chicago, Burlington and Quincy Railroad. Gillette was incorporated as a town in 1892. Gillette is also home to Wyoming’s first meadery!
- Lusk
Runner1928/Wikipedia Lusk was founded in 1886 by a renowned Wyoming rancher. It was later incorporated as a town in 1898. Read more about Lusk’s favorite town tradition, here.
- Kemmerer
Daniel Mayer/Wikipedia Kemmerer was founded in 1897 by the vice-president of Kemmerer Coal Company and named after his financial backer. Two years later, Kemmerer was incorporated as a town. Did you know the very first JC Penney was opened in Kemmerer?
What impresses you the most about these older towns?
Vasiliymeshko/Wikipedia
Cheyenne is the capital and the most populated city in Wyoming. It was named after the regional Native American tribe. The town was built around the Union Pacific Railroad that passed through on its way to the West coast. In fact, the town grew so fast it became known as the “Magic City of the Plains”. Cheyenne was founded in 1867 and incorporated as a town in 1869.See some of the town’s history at the Depot Museum.
Haines Photo Co./Wikimedia Commons
Laramie was founded along the Union Pacific Railroad line in the mid 1860s as a tent city. In fact, the railroad crosses over the Laramie River. The town was named after a French trapper who disappeared in the Laramie Mountains. The first woman to serve on a jury and the first woman to vote in a general election were from Laramie. Laramie was incorporated as a town in 1874. Pictured is the town around 1908. Here are a few reasons you might want to make Laramie your new home.
Acroterion/Wikimedia Commons
Buffalo is nestled in the foothills of the Big Horn Mountains. The town was founded in 1879 and incorporated as a town in 1884. This town has historical ties to Butch Cassidy and the Sundance Kid, Buffalo Bill Cody, Tom Horn, Calamity Jane, Owen Wister, and Teddy Roosevelt.
Read more about the history you can see when you visit Buffalo, right here.
Unknown Author/Wikimedia Commons
Douglas, known as the “Tent City”, was founded when the Wyoming Central Railway established a railway station there. It also served as a supply point for nearby cattle ranches and is home to the World War II Internment Camp. Douglas was incorporated as a town in 1887. Pictured is the town of Douglas in the 1920’s. Some quirky history: Douglas is the birthplace of the mythical Jackalope.
EvanstonWyoming/Wikipedia
The town was established around 1868 during the development of the First Transcontinental Railroad. It housed a roundhouse to service locomotives. Evanston was also a major stop along the Lincoln Highway. The town of Evanston was incorporated in 1888. This tiny town is also home to a wildly underrated steakhouse.
Milonica/Wikipedia
Rock Springs is known as the “Home of 56 Nationalities” due to the influx of immigrants from all over the world that came to work in the coal mines. The coal mines supplied the fuel for the steam engines of the Union Pacific Railroad. Rock Springs was incorporated as a town in 1888.
Not all of Rock Springs’ history is as it seems. Read more about a tragic mining accident that shaped the town’s tale, right here.
Adbay/Wikipedia
Casper is nestled at the foot of Casper Mountain and is the second largest city in Wyoming. History ties the town to Fort Caspar which started out as a trading post and later became a military post for the U.S. Army. The town was developed as a stopping point during the development of the Wyoming Central Railway. Casper was incorporated as a town in 1889.
The best view of Casper is from above!
Charles Willgren/Wikipedia
The town of Lander was named for the transcontinental explorer, Frederick W. Lander. The town was the end of the line of the Chicago and North Western Railway. Lander was incorporated as a town in 1890. Visitors to Lander instantly fall in love with this community.
Green River was incorporated twice. The first time in 1868 and then again in 1891. The town was the starting point for the famous expeditions led by John Wesley Powell. The town was also a division point of the Union Pacific Railroad. Get to know Green River a little better this year.
Mr. Satterly/Wikipedia
Gillette is known as the “Energy Capital of the World”. The town was a huge producer of coal, oil, and cabled methane. The town, nestled between the Big Horn Mountains and the Black Hills, was named after a surveyor for the Chicago, Burlington and Quincy Railroad. Gillette was incorporated as a town in 1892. Gillette is also home to Wyoming’s first meadery!
Runner1928/Wikipedia
Lusk was founded in 1886 by a renowned Wyoming rancher. It was later incorporated as a town in 1898. Read more about Lusk’s favorite town tradition, here.
Daniel Mayer/Wikipedia
Kemmerer was founded in 1897 by the vice-president of Kemmerer Coal Company and named after his financial backer. Two years later, Kemmerer was incorporated as a town. Did you know the very first JC Penney was opened in Kemmerer?
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Address: Cheyenne, WY, USAAddress: Laramie, WY, USAAddress: Buffalo, WY 82834, USAAddress: Douglas, WY 82633, USAAddress: Evanston, WY 82930, USAAddress: Rock Springs, WY 82901, USAAddress: Casper, WY, USAAddress: Lander, WY 82520, USAAddress: Green River, WY 82935, USAAddress: Gillette, WY, USAAddress: Lusk, WY 82225, USAAddress: Kemmerer, WY 83101, USA
The OIYS Visitor Center
oldest towns in Wyoming May 07, 2021 Kim Magaraci What are the best things about living in Wyoming? The best thing about living in Wyoming is how quiet and peaceful the surrounding landscapes are. The natural beauty of the mountains, prairies, lakes, and rivers makes this a dream destination for anyone who loves spending time outdoors. Life out here is simple, too - you won’t find much drama. What are the worst things about living in Wyoming? Living in Wyoming is hard if you rely on high-speed technology and love city life. You just won’t find much of either here! While yes, we do have broadband internet in most places (finally), cell phone service is spotty between towns, and you’ve got to be prepared for at least a little bit of off-the-grid life unless you live in a city. And by city, well… our largest city is home to just 63,000 people. If you’re looking to fit into a busy and bustling crowd, look elsewhere. What are people from Wyoming known for? People from Wyoming are known for being fiercely independent and skeptical of authority. The anti-establishment attitude can be traced back to the 1800s and 1900s, when ranchers and cowboys made their living out on the plains despite meddling from Cheyenne and “big cattle”. Wyomingites are also known for being avid outdoorsmen and hard workers.
The OIYS Visitor Center
oldest towns in Wyoming
May 07, 2021
Kim Magaraci
What are the best things about living in Wyoming? The best thing about living in Wyoming is how quiet and peaceful the surrounding landscapes are. The natural beauty of the mountains, prairies, lakes, and rivers makes this a dream destination for anyone who loves spending time outdoors. Life out here is simple, too - you won’t find much drama. What are the worst things about living in Wyoming? Living in Wyoming is hard if you rely on high-speed technology and love city life. You just won’t find much of either here! While yes, we do have broadband internet in most places (finally), cell phone service is spotty between towns, and you’ve got to be prepared for at least a little bit of off-the-grid life unless you live in a city. And by city, well… our largest city is home to just 63,000 people. If you’re looking to fit into a busy and bustling crowd, look elsewhere. What are people from Wyoming known for? People from Wyoming are known for being fiercely independent and skeptical of authority. The anti-establishment attitude can be traced back to the 1800s and 1900s, when ranchers and cowboys made their living out on the plains despite meddling from Cheyenne and “big cattle”. Wyomingites are also known for being avid outdoorsmen and hard workers.
The OIYS Visitor Center
The OIYS Visitor Center
The best thing about living in Wyoming is how quiet and peaceful the surrounding landscapes are. The natural beauty of the mountains, prairies, lakes, and rivers makes this a dream destination for anyone who loves spending time outdoors. Life out here is simple, too - you won’t find much drama.
What are the worst things about living in Wyoming?
Living in Wyoming is hard if you rely on high-speed technology and love city life. You just won’t find much of either here! While yes, we do have broadband internet in most places (finally), cell phone service is spotty between towns, and you’ve got to be prepared for at least a little bit of off-the-grid life unless you live in a city. And by city, well… our largest city is home to just 63,000 people. If you’re looking to fit into a busy and bustling crowd, look elsewhere.
What are people from Wyoming known for?
People from Wyoming are known for being fiercely independent and skeptical of authority. The anti-establishment attitude can be traced back to the 1800s and 1900s, when ranchers and cowboys made their living out on the plains despite meddling from Cheyenne and “big cattle”. Wyomingites are also known for being avid outdoorsmen and hard workers.
