When you think of Wyoming, Yellowstone National Park, Grand Teton National Park, and Jackson Hole are usually the first things that come to mind. However, there are so many other things about Wyoming that are just as notable. Here is a list of some impressive “firsts” that most people don’t associate with Wyoming. Interestingly enough, a lot of these have had a significant impact on our country! There are so many things and concepts invented in Wyoming that may take you by surprise.
- Wyoming is the first state in the United States to have a public county library.
Flickr/Zhu Not many people know that the concept of county libraries are one of the things invented in Wyoming, but Albany County made history in 1887! The Albany County Public Library became the first county library system in America. Now, we can’t imagine life without them.
- Wyoming is home to the first national park in the nation.
Flickr/Gregory “Slobirdr” Smith In 1872, President Ulysses S. Grant signed the act that designated Yellowstone as a national park. It became the first national park in the nation! Funny enough, Wyoming didn’t become a state until almost 20 years later in 1890.
- Wyoming is home to the world’s first national monument.
Flickr/Matthew Paulson Speaking of wonderful things invented in Wyoming, we’re also responsible for the National Monument designation. In 1906, Teddy Roosevelt declared Devils Tower the first national monument in the world.
- Wyoming is home to the first business west of the Missouri River.
Flickr/Ken Lund The business was a trading post located at the confluence of the Laramie and North Platte Rivers. This business was a fur trading post established by William Sublette and Robert Campbell. Fort Laramie is now located at this spot, and you can visit to see history preserved.
- Women in Wyoming became the first in the nation to obtain the right to vote.
Flickr/WyoFile WyoFile Wyoming granted women the right to vote in 1869. This was done in part to attract more single women to the area, because the pioneers were struggling to grow the population way out here on the range. Wyoming’s determination to keep women voting is part of what delayed our official declaration of statehood.
- Wyoming is home to the first national forest.
Flickr/Anne McCormack The Shoshone National Forest is located in Cody and was designated a national forest in 1891. The terrain ranges anywhere from meadows to rugged mountains and shows off beautiful views along the Chief Joseph Scenic Highway.
- Wyoming is home to the first JC Penney store! This iconic department store is one of the most well known of things invented in Wyoming.
Flickr/Erin Kinney James Cash Penney opened the first store in 1902 in Kemmerer. Today, it is still an operating retail store! Plan your visit to the flagship store here
- Wyoming had the first female governor.
Flickr/Amy The Nurse Nellie Tayloe Ross became the first woman governor in the United States. She was governor of Wyoming from 1925 to 1927. Read more about how Wyoming women made history right here
- The first and only monument in the United States built in honor of a prostitute is located in Wyoming.
Flickr/Jimmy Emerson, DVM This monument built in honor of a prostitute is located south of Lusk. The monument is known as the Old Mother FeatherLegs Shepard Monument and was built in 1964.
- Wyoming is home to the first and only building built with fossilized dinosaur bones in the United States.
Flickr/Jeffrey Beall Fossil Cabin was built in 1932 and is located near Medicine Bow in Carbon County. This is one of the quirkiest spots in the Cowboy State and it’s so worth a visit.
How many of these did you already know about? These incredible concepts and things invented in Wyoming, as well as the “firsts” in our state’s history, are all part of what makes Wyoming an absolutely amazing place to explore.
Flickr/Zhu
Not many people know that the concept of county libraries are one of the things invented in Wyoming, but Albany County made history in 1887! The Albany County Public Library became the first county library system in America. Now, we can’t imagine life without them.
Flickr/Gregory “Slobirdr” Smith
In 1872, President Ulysses S. Grant signed the act that designated Yellowstone as a national park. It became the first national park in the nation! Funny enough, Wyoming didn’t become a state until almost 20 years later in 1890.
Flickr/Matthew Paulson
Speaking of wonderful things invented in Wyoming, we’re also responsible for the National Monument designation. In 1906, Teddy Roosevelt declared Devils Tower the first national monument in the world.
Flickr/Ken Lund
The business was a trading post located at the confluence of the Laramie and North Platte Rivers. This business was a fur trading post established by William Sublette and Robert Campbell. Fort Laramie is now located at this spot, and you can visit to see history preserved.
Flickr/WyoFile WyoFile
Wyoming granted women the right to vote in 1869. This was done in part to attract more single women to the area, because the pioneers were struggling to grow the population way out here on the range. Wyoming’s determination to keep women voting is part of what delayed our official declaration of statehood.
Flickr/Anne McCormack
The Shoshone National Forest is located in Cody and was designated a national forest in 1891. The terrain ranges anywhere from meadows to rugged mountains and shows off beautiful views along the Chief Joseph Scenic Highway.
Flickr/Erin Kinney
James Cash Penney opened the first store in 1902 in Kemmerer. Today, it is still an operating retail store! Plan your visit to the flagship store here
Flickr/Amy The Nurse
Nellie Tayloe Ross became the first woman governor in the United States. She was governor of Wyoming from 1925 to 1927. Read more about how Wyoming women made history right here
Flickr/Jimmy Emerson, DVM
This monument built in honor of a prostitute is located south of Lusk. The monument is known as the Old Mother FeatherLegs Shepard Monument and was built in 1964.
Flickr/Jeffrey Beall
Fossil Cabin was built in 1932 and is located near Medicine Bow in Carbon County. This is one of the quirkiest spots in the Cowboy State and it’s so worth a visit.
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Address: 310 S 8th St, Laramie, WY 82070, USAAddress: Yellowstone National Park, WY 82190, USAAddress: Devils Tower-National Monument Road, Devils Tower-National Monument Rd, Devils Tower, WY 82714, USAAddress: Fort Laramie, WY, USAAddress: Rock River, WY 82083, USA
The OIYS Visitor Center
things invented in Wyoming March 05, 2020 Kim Magaraci What is Wyoming known for? Wyoming is known for natural wonders, hardworking people, and charming small towns. If you’re looking for an old-fashioned way of life or a world of natural beauty, you can’t beat the Cowboy State. What one-of-a-kind destinations can I visit in Wyoming? Wyoming is home to two national parks, two national monuments, and eight national forests. You’ll find lots of history along the Oregon Tail, Pony Express, and Mormon Trails. Whether you’re looking for history, natural beauty, or preserved wonderlands, you’ll find them out here. What is the oldest town in Wyoming? Hartville is the oldest town in Wyoming! You can still visit to see the first jail in the state and to dine at Miners and Stockmans, the oldest restaurant around.
The OIYS Visitor Center
things invented in Wyoming
March 05, 2020
Kim Magaraci
What is Wyoming known for? Wyoming is known for natural wonders, hardworking people, and charming small towns. If you’re looking for an old-fashioned way of life or a world of natural beauty, you can’t beat the Cowboy State. What one-of-a-kind destinations can I visit in Wyoming? Wyoming is home to two national parks, two national monuments, and eight national forests. You’ll find lots of history along the Oregon Tail, Pony Express, and Mormon Trails. Whether you’re looking for history, natural beauty, or preserved wonderlands, you’ll find them out here. What is the oldest town in Wyoming? Hartville is the oldest town in Wyoming! You can still visit to see the first jail in the state and to dine at Miners and Stockmans, the oldest restaurant around.
The OIYS Visitor Center
The OIYS Visitor Center
Wyoming is known for natural wonders, hardworking people, and charming small towns. If you’re looking for an old-fashioned way of life or a world of natural beauty, you can’t beat the Cowboy State.
What one-of-a-kind destinations can I visit in Wyoming?
Wyoming is home to two national parks, two national monuments, and eight national forests. You’ll find lots of history along the Oregon Tail, Pony Express, and Mormon Trails. Whether you’re looking for history, natural beauty, or preserved wonderlands, you’ll find them out here.
What is the oldest town in Wyoming?
Hartville is the oldest town in Wyoming! You can still visit to see the first jail in the state and to dine at Miners and Stockmans, the oldest restaurant around.
