Cheyenne Wyoming 1890

Real estate in Cheyenne, Wyoming warmly reflects the western heritage of the region.  And if you take a closer look, you'll also find the high style that helped to define the railroad town, decking out Cheyenne WY homes over 140 years ago.

Where did fashion meet the "Wild West"?  How about on the train?  On July 4, 1867, the first residents, employees of the Union Pacific Railroad, settled in by pitching their tents in the area.  Although many moved on several months later after they finished laying the railroad tracks, others stayed, built homes in Cheyenne, and joined the rough and tumbling new and thriving town.  They joined soldiers from Fort D.A. Russell (now F.E. Warren Air Force Base) and the employees from Camp Carlin, a camp that supplied all of the northern posts on the Indian frontier.

Cheyenne Wyoming 1876

The railroad played a large role both in the growth of the town and in the taming of the wild western culture.  The "culture" in those days consisted of lively entertainment venues such as saloons, shows, and burlesque sporting willing female performers.  In fact, the railroad brought in some of the best performers in the United States who were on the way to larger venues in San Francisco.  By 1882, Cheyenne had erected an opera house to accommodate the performers and troupes that included the big names of the day such as Lily Langtry and Emma Nevada.

Along one of the most frequently used routes from coast to coast, the Union Pacific also delivered the cultural ideals of the more educated and sophisticated folks on the East Coast.  From new residents, to shipments of fine furniture, eastern-USA publications, and apparel from stylish boutiques, a unique mix of refinement and adventure was woven into the tapestry.  The remarkable city surpassed many eastern cities of the same size (5,000) and boasted a style unheard of in the West.

Wyoming Vistas

Although the city was named after the Chyenne tribes, it was the wealthy and educated Easterners and Europeans who influenced the development in those days.  Many began visiting because of their involvement in the emerging cattle industry.  For example, the Purebred Hereford became world famous around 1880, drawing cattle barons with well-developed mannerisms to spend the warmer months in the area.  Following the success of the cattle ranches, the lavishly furnished Cheyenne Club became renowned around the world.  Designed after similar clubs in England, the Club featured a large dining room, a billiards room, card rooms, a reading room, lounge, and a wide verandah.  Today's architecture and lifestyle have absorbed the heritage of days gone by.  The Chamber of Commerce is located in the former Club on East 17th Street.