71 Interesting Facts About Wyoming

Last updated on October 8th, 2022

46. 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.

47. Wyoming has the distinction of having produced the oldest former governor in American history. At the time of her death in 1977, Nellie Tayloe Ross (1876-1977) was 101 years old. That made her the oldest former state governor in the USA.

48. 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.

About the state flag of Wyoming

49. 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!

50. 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.

51. 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.

52. Wyoming is a leading uranium producer and has the largest amount of known uranium reserves in the country.

53. The world’s largest radio telescope was operated by the University of Wyoming in 1978. It was built on Jelm Mountain.

54. A law remains on the books in Cheyenne, Wyoming that prohibits all residents from taking a shower on any Wednesday.

55. In Wyoming’s history, the hottest recorded temperature was 115 degrees. Meteorologists reported the extreme summer temperature on August 8, 1983, for the city of Basin.

56. The coldest recorded temperature for Wyoming was negative 66 degrees. Meteorologists recorded the freezing temperature at Yellowstone National Park on February 9, 1933.

57. According to state statistics, Casper is the only city with an escalator. There are only two in the entire city and state. The state has an aversion to installing escalators because of the layout of the land, and architects claim that outward construction is simpler than building properties with more than one story. The two escalators are at Hilltop and Interstate Banks.

58. Jackson Hole which remains an ever-popular ski vacation spot, attracts celebrities each year. In fact, several rich and famous travelers once owned properties in the area. These celebrities include Charles Schwab, Harrison Ford, and Sandra Bullock.

59. Many celebrities were born in Wyoming. Among them are Curt Gowdy, Mildred Haris, Isbell Jewel, and Gerry Spence.

60. Wyoming’s Fannie Barney appears in the record books as the state’s oldest living resident. Her 110 years started in 1873 and ended in 1983.

61. Wyoming license plates feature a turn of the century 1900s bronco named “Old Steamboat,” being ridden by a cowboy. The horse had a long reputation for being unrideable and bucked many riders off its back in their attempts.

62. 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.

63. The Union Pacific Railroad is one of the many reasons for prosperity in Cheyenne. The railroad started in Omaha, Nebraska, and runs throughout the city of Cheyenne, and it was constructed in 1867. Historical data shows that it was the very first transcontinental railroad system that connected to the Pacific.

64. 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.

65. 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.

66. Despite the fact that there are 23 counties in the state of Wyoming, there is only one area code. It is 307, and the whole state falls in the Mountain Time Zone.

67. The Medicine Wheel found in Bighorn National Forest is a popular tourist attraction for anyone who wants to learn more about the culture of Native American tribes in the state. According to historical data, the Medicine Wheel has an elevation of 9,642 feet around the Bighorn Mountains crest. It features 28 spokes with a circumference of 245 feet. The rolling limestone plateau sits 30 miles to the east of Lovell and spans 12 miles past Montana’s border.

68. 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.

69. PhinDeli Town Buford was once an outpost called Buford. After the only resident moved out of Buford, the outpost sold on an online auction. Dinh Nguyen, a Vietnam entrepreneur is the proud owner of the outpost and the sole resident. The property sold for a whopping $900,000.

70. The Bighorns in Wyoming intrigued Earnest Hemingway and inspired him to finish his novel, “A Farewell to Arms.” His high regard for the state is what led Hemingway to write “To Have and Have Not” and “Death in the Afternoon” during visits to the city of Cody. According to Hemingway’s biography, he married his third wife, Martha Gellhorn, the well-renowned war correspondent in Cheyenne.

71. The Chokecherry and Sierra Madre Energy project is the largest industrial wind production facility in the nation. According to statistics, the geography and higher altitude make the state a superior choice for generating wind-based energy and could help in lowering the country’s dependence on fossil fuels. Scientists continue to study wind power in Wyoming for this exact reason, and studies show that the stable weather and landscape of Wyoming are what draws new residents to the state.

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.

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