The 10 Best Historic Sites in Wyoming, United States

The eighty year history of Wyoming’s first state penitentiary, now known as the Wyoming Frontier Prison, is as colorful and elaborate as the plot of a classic western movie. The cornerstone of the prison was laid in 1888, but due to funding issues and Wyoming’s notorious weather, the doors wouldn’t open for thirteen years. In December of 1901, the prison opened and consisted of 104 cells (Cell Block A), no electricity or running water, and very inadequate heating. Throughout the prison’s operation, approximately 13,500 people were incarcerated, including eleven women. Overcrowding was an almost constant concern, and the first of several additions to the penitentiary was completed in 1904, adding 32 cells to the west end of the original cell block (Cell Block A). Women were housed in the prison until 1909, until the last woman was transferred to Colorado. The addition of the second cell block (Cell Block B) in 1950 temporarily relieved the overcrowding, and also included solitary confinement cells, a much more efficient heating system, and hot running water which wouldn’t be installed in the original cell block for another twenty-eight years. A maximum security addition (Cell Block C) was completed in 1966, but the addition only included thirty-six cells and was reserved for serious discipline cases. The prison was equipped with several different means of disciplining inmates throughout its operation, including a dungeon, several variations of solitary confinement and a “punishment pole” to which men were handcuffed and whipped with rubber hoses. The prison also used different execution methods.. The first two executions were carried out using the “traveling” Julien Gallows which were used to hang Tom Horn in Cheyenne in 1903. In 1916, the penitentiary completed the addition of a “death house” which consisted of six cells to house inmates on death row, and a unique indoor version of the Julien Gallows. The building also housed the gas chamber when it was chosen to replace hanging as Wyoming’s execution method of choice in 1936. Ultimately 14 death sentences were carried out; nine men were hanged, and five were executed in the gas chamber by the use of hydrocyanic acid gas. The Wyoming Frontier Prison is a remnant of the grizzly past of the old west, but not every aspect of prison life was so off-putting. Over the 80-year operation, the prison produced goods to meet demands of four major industries. From 1901 through 1917 the prison had a broom factory, but inmates burned it down during a riot. The factory was rebuilt and operated as a shirt factory which brought in twice the revenue to the state. In 1934, a federal law was passed to prohibit the sale and transportation of prison manufactured goods from one state to another, which resulted in the loss of significant revenue when the factory closed. In 1935, the factory began operating as a woolen mill which won the “Navy E” in 1942 for the superior quality blankets produced by the prison for the military during World War II. In 1949 the prison changed production one last time, producing license plates until the penitentiary closed in 1981. After serving the state for eighty years, the prison closed its doors, and sat abandoned until 1987 when a low budget movie titled “Prison” was filmed on location. The movie was one of Viggo Mortensen’s first and featured several other well known actors. Significant damage was done to the prison grounds during filming because it had yet to be considered a historic site. In 1988, a joint powers board assumed ownership of the penitentiary, dubbed it The Wyoming Frontier Prison, and established it as a museum. The Wyoming Frontier Prison has since been listed on The National Registry of Historic Places, and offers tours to approximately 15,000 visitors annually.

OPEN May 15 through SEPTEMBER 30, 7 days a week Take a walk through history. 27 historic frontier buildings have been reconstructed on the original townsite of Cody, many furnished with period artifacts. Old Trail Town is also home to the Museum of the Old West.

A historic building that houses the Laramie Plains Museum.

The Wyoming Territorial Prison State Historic Site has an incredibly rich history. Run as a federal (territorial) and state prison from 1872 to 1903, it then became the Agricultural Experiment Station for the University of Wyoming after the State Prison relocated to Rawlins. The site is now operated as a Historic Site by the State of Wyoming.

Constructed in 1892, the Historic Sheridan Inn gave adventurous travelers a taste of Eastern luxury in the West. Through the years, the Inn has remained a hub of activity, offering elegant New Year's Eve balls and the town's first electric lights. Buffalo Bill Cody sat on the front porch of the Inn auditioning acts to join the "Buffalo Bill's Wild West Show." The Inn is on the National Register of Historic Places. In October 2013, Bob and Dana Townsend became the newest owners of the Inn, bringing 21st century luxury to the 19th century building. The Inn is now open for overnight stays, banquets, weddings, business meetings and tours.

Built in 1904, this grand Colonial Revival-style mansion was home to 19 of Wyoming's First Families, including the First Female Governor in the United States. Docents will gladly orient you to the home before sending you on a self guided tour of the Mansion. We are happy to welcome you as our guest to Wyoming's First Executive Mansion!

Trail End State Historic Site is a fully furnished historic house museum that interprets the time period 1913-1933. Visitors step back into time to catch a glimpse of what life was like for John B. Kendrick, a rancher politician, and his family. Hours: April 1- May 31: 1:00-4:00pm daily June 1-August 31: 9:00 am- 6:00 pm daily September 1-December 14: 1:00-4:00pm daily Closed: Veteran's Day Thanksgiving Day December 15-March 31

Established in 1843 by Jim Bridger and Louis Vasquez as a trading post for travelers along the Overland Trails. Between 1853 and 1857 it was a Mormon Trading Post for emigrants to Utah. From 1857 to 1890 it was a US Army Post with several companies of infantry assigned to frontier protection. In addition to an authentic reconstruction of the Bridger-Vasquez fort, many historic structures from the military period still exist on site and are open for tours daily 9-5 from May 1 through September 30. In the off season from October 1 to April 30, the Museum building and grounds are open Fri-Sun 9-5 (weather permitting).