Last updated on June 14th, 2024
61. The oldest microbrewery in Wyoming is the Snake River Brewery in Jackson. It is also the first of its kind with award-winning craft beer.
62. The first brewery established in Wyoming is the Sweetwater Brewery, dating back to 1872. It was started by Adam Braun and later developed by Karl Spinner and Otto Rauch.
63. Buckhorn Bar and Parlor became the oldest bar in Wyoming, and it opened in the early 1900s. Residents know about the secret of the buckhorn roll, and they recommend it to anyone visiting the Buckhorn.
64. Wyoming is not short of cars, buses, and trucks. However, many people here own a horse or two. For this reason, it is very common to see horseback riders in many towns in this state. And did you know that Wyoming is home to the nation’s second-largest wild horse population (behind Nevada)?
65. Since 1957 you can see the world’s longest running shootout in Jackson Hole, in the northwest region of Wyoming, six days a week. It is conducted from Memorial Day to Labor Day from Monday to Saturday at 6:00 p.m.
66. The people of Wyoming love the theater. They also love amusement parks and they have laws to protect you when you visit these places. In Wyoming, it is against the law to wear a hat that interferes with other people’s view in theaters or places of amusement.
67. The award winning Rocky IV is the fourth film in Sylvester Stallone’s Rocky series. The training scenes in Rocky IV were shot in Jackson’s Hole, Wyoming. The other scenes supposedly showing the frozen landscapes of Russia were shot in the Grand Teton National Park in Wyoming.
68. Many celebrities were born in Wyoming. Among them are Curt Gowdy, Mildred Haris, Isbell Jewel, and Gerry Spence.
69. World famous abstract expressionist artist, Jackson Pollock spent the first year of his life in his birthplace of Cody, Wyoming. When he was 11 months old, his family traveled from Wyoming through Arizona and then to California.
70. The very famous Occidental Hotel in Buffalo, Wyoming, was established in the 1880s. Many prominent historical characters walked through the doors of this hotel and saloon.
71. Wyoming is a very peaceful place these days. However, it was the scene of bloody battles in the 19th century. The Indian warriors Crazy Horse and Red Cloud led extremely well-organized armies of Sioux, Cheyenne, and Arapaho troops. These fighters decimated US troops at the Ft. Phil Kearny in 1886.
72. During the 1868 war, the Bozeman trail was closed to prevent attacks from indigenous people. The Hayfield fight and other battles took place on this road.
73. Captain William Fetterman’s patrol was lured into an ambush at Fort Phil Kearny, Banner, Wyoming, in 1866. The fight that took place is known as the Fetterman massacre.
74. There is an overwhelming federal presence in WY. Almost half of the state (48%) is owned by the US government. The federal owned holdings include an Air Force Base in the capital city, the National Grasslands and the famous national forests.
75. In 1881, the infamous outlaw Big Nose George Parrot was lynched. An eccentric doctor had the criminal’s skin tanned and transformed into shoes. That doctor, John Eugene Osborne, eventually became Governor of WY and served as Secretary of State under the Woodrow Wilson administration.
76. The lawman, Tom Horn, became an outlaw and shot a fourteen-year-old kid, Willie Nickel. He was hanged for that crime in Cheyenne, Wyoming.
77. Clay Alison from Cheyenne, Wyoming, forcefully pulled a dentist’s tooth when he accidentally drilled on the wrong molar. Luckily, he was interrupted, or the dentist would have lost all his teeth.
78. Wyoming tops the list for the state with the most drunk-driving fatalities (7.60 fatalities per 100,000 people) followed by South Carolina, North Dakota, New Mexico, and Alabama. Texas (the Lonestar State) has the fewest drunk driving fatalities with only 0.63 per 100,000 people.
79. In many states in the US, homeowners lock their doors and secure their homes with all sorts of gadgets. In Wyoming, many people have an open door policy. The people here look out for each other and some do not even lock the doors when they leave the house.
80. Many people in Wyoming do not have to go the butcher’s or the grocery store for beef or fish. Many people here enjoying fishing and eating their own catch is quite normal. You can even hunt your own bison to meet your protein needs.
81. It is forbidden in Wyoming to use a firearm when fishing. According to the law, no fish may be harmed or destroyed by any person with a firearm.
82. Wyoming is full of cowboys and this means boots and hats are very popular here. In fact, Wyoming is one of the few places where people wear their cowboy outfits to social events.
83. Cody, Wyoming is named after a colorful character called William Frederick Cody. This man is also known as “Buffalo Bill”. He got this nickname in recognition of his buffalo hunting skills. William Cody allegedly killed over 4,200 buffaloes. Cody supplied the animals as meat to workers of the Kansas Pacific Railroad Company.
84. Gun ownership is a controversial issue in many states in the US. In Wyoming, most people have a gun and there are indications that Wyoming ranks among the states with the highest rates of gun ownership in the US. For every 1,000 residents, there are 195.7 guns in the state. The good thing is that gun homicide is very rare in Wyoming. The people of this state do not have a habit of using their guns on each other.
85. If you neglect to close a gate behind you in Wyoming, you can be fined up to $750. The law is also valid for those who don’t replace a bar in a fence that crosses a private road.
86. You should not abbreviate Wyoming simply as WY, because it has its own official AP style state abbreviation: Wyo.
87. The ghost town of Buford, Wyoming, was established in 1866. The population decreased through the years from 2000 to only one resident, then it was sold.
88. The ghost of Polly Bartlett, a violent young woman, haunts South Pass City, Wyoming. She killed more than 22 people who entered her family lodge.
89. For travelers to Utah, California, and Oregon, the Independence Rock was a huge meeting point. In the 19th century, travelers always made it a point to arrive at this point before the 4th of July each year. This is because they did not want to miss the famous 4th of July party held at the rock every year.
90. What used to be an intimidating prison in Rowling, Wyoming is these days a tourist attraction. The frontier Prison hosts an annual 5k pen fun run instead of holding criminals.
91. Apparently, the people of Wyoming love sports and they are very keen on the Olympic Games. At the 2012 Summer Olympics in London, two Olympians represented Wyoming. Now with a population of 568,158, Wyoming was the most represented state per capita in the country, followed by California (one per 294,468), Vermont (one per 313,216), Hawaii (one per 343,703) and Oregon (one per 351,987).
92. On April 30, 2015, some folks in Laramie, Wyoming danced their way into the Guinness Book of World Records. This event took place at the Fieldhouse at the University of Wyoming. One thousand one hundred and eighty-four swing dancers hit the floor at the same time and this became a world record.
93. Wyoming is not a stranger to ranches. The first “Dude Ranch” in the world was established at Wolf, Wyoming. This ranch was moved to its present location in 1904 and it is still in operation.
94. The Eatons from Eaton Ranche, near Wolf, Wyoming, were the first to coin the word ‘dude.’ It comes from the popular Dude Ranch.
95. Butch Cassidy whose name is really Robert Leroy Parker served as a ranch hand in Wyoming, but he was convicted in 1894 for buying a stolen horse in the city of Lander. His counterpart, The Sundance Kid also known as Harry Alzono Longabaugh went to jail for stealing a horse. He was only 15 years old at the time. Legend has it; his nickname came from the township of Sundance.
96. Wyoming was a pioneer for women in politics. Esther Hobart Morris was the first woman to become a US justice of the peace in 1870. Estelle Reel was the first Superintendent of Public Instruction in Wyoming in 1894.
97. Wyoming is famous for being the first territory that gave its women the right to vote. This trail-blazing decision was taken in 1869 and it conferred on Wyoming the status of a civil rights state. On September 6, 1870, Louisa Ann Swain of Laramie, Wyoming became the first woman to cast a vote in a general election.
98. The official motto of Wyoming is “Equal Rights”. One of the nicknames given to the state is the “Equality State”. Both refer to the fact that Wyoming pioneered women’s suffrage in 1869. However, this motto was only officially adopted in 1955. That is 86 years after the ground breaking decision to give women the vote.
99. The first female governor in American history was elected in Wyoming. Her name was Nellie Ross and she was the wife of Wyoming governor, William Bradford Ross. After her husband died in office, she was elected to finish his tenure. She served the state from 1925 to 1927 and she remains the only female governor in Wyoming history.
100. Joan Sheridan, an inventor from Wyoming, is credited with Christmas Stockings. It is one of many patents registered to this prolific inventor.
101. The hydraulic gallows were created by James Julien in 1892. It was known as the Julien Gallows and was used in 1903 with Tom Horn.
102. An attachment that was secretly used with Springfield rifles during World War One is the Pedersen Device. It was invented by Douglas Pedersen from Wyoming.
103. A Laramie, Wyoming native invented the tracking device for automatic garage door openers in 1921. Elmer Lovejoy is the person we have to thank for that.
104. The handy work holder for sewists was invented by Myrtle Wallin from Rock Springs, Wyoming. She was also the first woman from Wyoming to receive a patent.
Wyoming food facts
105. Celebrity Chef Paul Prudhomme from Sheridan, Wyoming, claimed the invention of the Turducken. The chicken in a duck in a turkey was invented in 1960.
106. When a Frontier pilot and his passengers were stranded in Cheyenne due to bad weather in 2014, he ordered pizza for the whole plane.
107. Rocky Mountain Oysters are a delicacy in Wyoming, and many visitors aren’t aware that they are really bull testicles. Other delicacies in the area include chokecherries, elk, and lamb.
108. If you prefer lean and tender meat on your burger, try out the Wyoming elk burger. Grounded elk meat is a tasty variation of the ever-popular burger.
109. Since 2012, slushies have been a staple in Jackson. The frozen treat is the adult version of Slurpees, spinning in machines everywhere, waiting to slosh you.
110. A trendy cuisine in Wyoming is the unique Bison burger. It is an exciting and tasty twist on the popular classic hamburger and can be found at many eating places.
About the state flag of Wyoming
The Wyoming state flag is mostly blue with red and white borders. The blue color stands for justice while the white color represents purity. The red color represents the blood of pioneers and Native Americans who died in the Indian Wars.
The Great Bison
You need not look any further than the flag of the state of Wyoming to understand why the Great Bison is its renowned emblem. Roaming in vast herds, the 3.5 meter tall great Bison is well and truly one of the biggest and most intimidating land mammals on the North American Mainland, and it’s fitting that it should stand as a symbol of the vast state of Wyoming.
Verna Keays: The Inspiration Behind It All
An art student, Verna Keays is the girl behind this design, which earned her a winning prize of a hefty USD 20 at the time. Originally the Bison was fly-facing, but at the advice of Raymond Hebard, it is now facing the hoist, unique to say the least.
A Seal Of Approval
It’s no secret that the Bison bears a seal on its chest, symbolic of a long-standing tradition of branding of the Bison.
Last but certainly not least, the flag is a wholesome expression of justice, fidelity and wisdom, collectively, that now is a rich embodiment of the past!
About 10 largest cities in Wyoming
1. Cheyenne
As the capital of Wyoming, Cheyenne is one of the least-centrally located state capitals in the country. It’s in the southeast corner of Wyoming, just eight miles north of the Colorado border and 40 miles west of the Nebraska border. The city of Cheyenne gained notoriety due to the gold rush and booming cattle and livestock industry. It was once known as the richest city in the state.
2. Casper
Nicknamed “The Oil City,” Casper’s local economy is driven by the oil industry, thanks to the development of the Salt Creek Oil Field, which has been in the city since the 1890s.
3. Laramie
Skiing and snowboarding are some of the most popular activities in Laramie, which is a city nestled between the Laramie Range and the Snowy Range. Local Wyoming residents and visitors across the country visit the area for winter recreational activities.
Photo 50993953 © Heather Bridge | Dreamstime.com
4. Gillette
Called “The Energy Capital of the Nation,” Gillette gets that reputation from the diversity of energy sources in its region. There are large reserves of coal, oil, and methane gas, providing a huge energy sector for job seekers.
5. Rock Springs
A diversity of immigrant populations make Rock Springs best-known for its blend of cultures. Workers arrive from all over the world to work in coal mines, and their heritage is honored every year with International Day, a festival highlighting traditions, foods, and dance of local immigrant residents.
6. Sheridan
It’s hard to miss the city of Sheridan during a visit to national parks. That’s because it’s halfway between Yellowstone Park and Mount Rushmore, right along U.S. Route 14 and 16.
7. Green River
All about outdoor recreation and wildlife, Green River is known for its outstanding opportunities for kayaking, white water rafting, river tubing, mountain biking, and hiking. Wild horses and bears can often be spotted.
8. Evanston
The average annual snowfall in Evanston is about 47 inches, which is nearly twice the annual average of snow in the U.S. Winters are white, freezing, and cold, with the average temperature hovering in the 20s.
9. Riverton
Called The Rendezvous City, Riverton celebrates its history with ongoing festivals and events at a Rendezvous site, where there are re-enactments of mountain men and native tribes meeting to trade next to the riverfront in 1838.
10. Jackson
Found in the famous Jackson Hole valley, the city of Jackson is all about skiing. The three most popular ski resort areas are Jackson Hole Mountain Resort, Snow King Mountain Resort and Grand Targhee Resort. Views of Grand Teton National Park and Yellowstone National Park are in the distance.
Wyoming state – quick facts and state symbols
| State Abbreviation | WY |
|---|---|
| State Capital | Cheyenne List Of 50 U.S. States And Their Capital |
| Largest City | Cheyenne |
| State Size | Total (Land + Water): 97,814 sq miles; Land Only: 97,100 sq miles |
| Population | 584,057 (Estimate July 1, 2023 from United States Census Bureau) |
| Statehood | July 10, 1890 |
| State rank by population | 50th |
| State rank by date of formation | 44th |
| State rank by area | 10th |
| Number of Counties | 23 Complete list of 50 states and number of counties in each |
| Demonym | Wyomingite |
| Slogan | “Like No Place on Earth” |
| Bordering States | Colorado, Idaho, Montana, Nebraska, South Dakota, Utah |
| Official Language | English |
| Highest Point | Gannett Peak 13,809 ft (4209.1 m) |
| Lowest point | Belle Fourche River at South Dakota border 3,101 ft (945 m) |
| Length | 280 miles (452 km) |
| Width | 372.8 miles (600 km) |
| Governor | Mark Gordon (R) |
| Secretary of State | Chuck Gray (R) |
| Electoral Votes | 3 |
| State Motto | Equal Rights |
| State Nickname | Equality State |
| % Water | 0.7 |
| Famous people | Jim Beaver (Actor) Jim J. Bullock (Actor) Darren Dalton (Actor) |
| State Bird | Western meadowlark |
| State Butterfly | Sheridan's Green Hairstreak Butterfly |
| State Dinosaur | Triceratops |
| State Fish | Cutthroat Trout |
| State Flower | Indian Paintbrush |
| State Fossil | Knightia |
| State Gemstone | Jade |
| State Mammal | American bison |
| State Reptile | Horned toad |
| State Shrub | Wyoming Big Sagebrush |
| State Tree | Plains cottonwood |
| Longitude | 104°3'W to 111°3'W |
| Latitude | 41°N to 45°N |
| Time Zone | Mountain Time Zone |
| Website | wyoming.gov |
| Area Codes | 307 |
| Table last updated | July 1, 2024 |