Wyoming History-Westward Expansion

Devil's Gate

A 300 foot deep gouge in the hills where the Sweetwater River passes through.

The Pony Express

A Mail carrying service; ran from 1860-1861; was established to carry mail speedily along the 2000 miles from St. Joseph, Missouri, to Sacramento, California; they could make the trek in 10 days.

Fort Laramie

A fort by the Laramie river where soldiers were stationed to keep the peace and offer supplies to weary travelers.

Nellie Tayloe Ross

Became the nations first female governor when she took office in Wyoming in 1925

Yellowstone National Park

Established in 1872 by Congress, Yellowstone was the United States's first national park.

Devil's Tower, Wyoming

First national monument in Wyoming in 1906

Fort Bridger

Fort in southwestern Wyoming on Black's Fork of the Green River where Jim Bridger established his trading post.

Mormon Trail

In 1847, about 1,600 Mormons led by Brigham Young followed part of the Oregon Trail to Utah to escape religious persecution.

Wyoming's time zone

Mountain

Martin's Cove

Place by Devil's Gate where Mormons from Martin's Company were stranded in a snowstorm and tried to seek shelter in this cove.

Independence Rock, Wyoming

The big rounded rock where people tried to reach on or before July 4th (Independence Day) so they would beat the winter snowstorms.

South Pass

The highest point on the journey west where they crossed the Continental Divide.

Oregon Trail

Trail from independence Missouri to Oregon used by many pioneers during the 1840s

The Equality State

Wyoming's nickname

Cheyenne, Wyoming

Wyoming's state capitol

F.E. Warren Air Force Base

became the nation's first intercontinental ballistic missile base in Wyoming in 1960

John Colter (1810) (West Expansion)

member of the Lewis and Clark Expedition; first European to enter Yellostone National Park; considered the first mountain man (1810) (West Expansion)