Albany County

Community - Albany
Perched on the edge of the Medicine Bow National Forest, home to 15 hearty souls if you believe the sign, Albany is the jumping off point to explore the back country on the southern end of the Centennial Valley. There are still some who live there who hope to find the end of the vein of gold from the Centennial mine and others that dotted the hills at the turn of the 20th century.

Attractions

Routt-Medicine Bow National Forest Rails to Trails (Laramie & Hahn’s Peak RR)
Phone: Contact the Medicine Bow National Forest Ranger Station in Laramie at 307-745-2300 for information and directions.
Hours: Daylight
Description: The Medicine Bow Rail-Trail is a non-motorized trail that has been converted from a portion of the abandoned Laramie, Hahns Peak and Pacific Railroad. Construction of trail began in the summer of 2024. The Rail-Trail has a hard-packed gravel surface averaging 10 feet wide. Grades and curves are very gentle and suitable for users of varying abilities. The trail is 21 miles from the Pelton Creek Trailhead in the south to the Dry Park Trailhead in the north.


Community - Centennial

Centennial's first settlers sought timber for ties needed by the Transcontinental Railroad, which came through Laramie in 1868. The Homestead Act opened the valley to ranchers, then gold was discovered on the ridge in 1875. In 1876 a post office was established and the town was named for America's centennial. In 1877, the gold vein ended at a fault line. The other half has never been found, though the search continues. Remnants of several mines still remain. By 1907, the town had established a bank (now a bed and breakfast), hotel (still in use), school and its own railroad spur.

Attractions

Historic Nici Self Museum (Historic Laramie & Hahn’s Peak Railroad Depot)
2734 Highway 130 , Centennial
Phone: (307) 745-3108
Hours: Saturday and Sunday, Noon to 4 pm June & September; Thursday through Monday Noon to 4 pm, July and August. Special tours upon request.
Admission: Free
Description: The depot, which houses much of the collection, was built by the Laramie, Hahns Peak & Pacific Railway in 1907. Artifacts from the Centennial Valley are exhibited throughout the buildings and grounds. The history of the LHP&P railroad is displayed in the depot and caboose. Lumbering tools are displayed in the beehive burner and outside. Many pieces of mining equipment and gear are also part of the museum's collection of everyday and unusual implements that give glimpses into ranch life over the years. A recent addition is a one room schoolhouse used in the Centennial Valley from 1903 to 1962.

Community - Laramie
Laramie’s Fort Sanders provided the necessary protection for the Denver-Salt Lake Stage Line and water was plentiful. In May 1868, tracks were laid to the city and the population grew to 5,000; a few solid family men, transients, railroaders, gamblers, troops, thieves, stockmen and lawless riffraff. However, the first woman in the world served on a jury here in March 1870, and Louiza Swain became the first woman in the world to vote in a general election in 1871. Today, Laramie is home to the University of Wyoming, and is a popular stop for those seeking history or outdoor adventure.

Historic Downtown Laramie
The Laramie Downtown Historic District consists of ten blocks of the original Union Pacific Railroad plat of Laramie. The District includes two story brick commercial structures built between 1870 and 1938; ninety-five buildings and one railroad pedestrian bridge, including two churches, a 1920s Union Pacific Depot, and a former Carnegie library. Buildings nearest the depot are oldest and reflect the late 19th century trend toward commercialism and density near the tracks. Buildings further north and east of the original downtown area were constructed later. The arrival of the Union Pacific railroad insured the early growth and prosperity of Laramie.
Listed on the National Register of Historic Places

Historic Neighborhoods
Laramie - Bath Row Historic District
The Bath Row Historic District includes four buildings constructed in 1883. by the Bath family, important contributors to Laramie’s early settlement period. Known for their fine stone buildings and business activities, the Baths were involved in merchandising, hotel ownership, early ranching, and the construction and rental of housing for railroad workers. Constructed as rental units for railroad workers, the stone structures are representative of the arrival and continuing influence of the transcontinental railroad in Wyoming. Though nine houses and a barn were initially constructed, only four retain integrity and serve to provide a clear example of Laramie’s early stone buildings.
Listed on the Listed on the National Register of Historic Places

Laramie - University Neighborhood Historic District
The Laramie University Neighborhood District encompasses a substantial portion of the residential area south of the University of Wyoming. Known locally as the “tree area,” the district extends from University Avenue on the north to Custer Street on the south, and 6th Street on the west to 15th Street on the east. Businessmen, ranching families and railroad workers built the homes in the district, with development proceeding from west to east. The real growth occurred from the 1900s through the 1940s, reflecting a period of intense growth for the University. By 1958, almost all of the lots had been in-filled.
Listed on the National Register of Historic Places

Attractions

Ames Monument State Historic Site
I-80 Exit 329 , Laramie
Phone: (307) 745-4195
Hours: Year round, weather permitting. Hours: Daylight hours (for viewing); grounds open 24 hours. FACILITIES:None
Admission: No fee
Description: Instead of turning north at exit 329 to Vedauwoo, turn south and take a short drive to an unusual 60-foot pyramid-shaped monument. This haunting limestone mass stands alone on the prairie and watches over the lonely remains of the one-time rail town of Sherman. This monument was built in 1881 to honor the Ames brothers, Oliver and Oakes, who were influential leaders in the construction of the transcontinental railroad. The Union Pacific built the monument despite a scandal about the brothers and mismanagement of railroad money. It features a bas relief of the Ames brothers by Augustus Saint Gaudens.

Historic Laramie Union Pacific Railroad Depot and Museum
1st Street and Kearney Street , Laramie
Phone: (307) 399-3772
Hours: Contact the museum for tour information
Admission: Donations appreciated
Description: The Laramie Union Pacific Depot opened at 7:00pm, September 6th, 1924 and served as Laramie’s passenger station until 1996 when Amtrak ceased passenger service along the Wyoming corridor. One of the last UP stations built in the traditional style, the exterior is finished in red brick with accents, including distinctive terra-cotta Union Pacific “Overland Route” roundels in the center of the east and west facing walls. The interior features wood paneling, wooden beams, and indirect lighting around the perimeter of the cathedral ceiling. A Railway Express Agency office was located off the baggage area, and served Laramie’s parcel needs.

I-80 Summit Henry B. Joy Monument & Lincoln Bust
Interstate 80 Exit 323 , Laramie
Phone: None
Hours: Daylight hours
Admission: Free
Description: Henry B. Joy was one of the founders of cross-country travel as he was instrumental in the creation of the Lincoln Highway. The heroic sized bust of Abraham Lincoln, sculpted by Robert Russin, can easily be seen from I-80. It marks the highest point, 8,400’ above sea level, of the Lincoln Highway which was established in 1913.

Laramie Plains Museum & Historic Ivinson Mansion
603 E. Ivinson Avenue , Laramie
Phone: (307) 742-7448
Hours: Closed during the winter months. Click on the link above to visit their website for current hours.
Admission: Adults - $10.00; Seniors - $7:00; Students - $5.00; Families - $25.00; AAA adult rate - $8.00; Any past or present Military - $5.00; Children under 6 - free. A view book is available for those who cannot climb stairs. We are happy to work with teachers and schools to give class tours.
Description: The Ivinson Mansion is the best surviving example of Victorian architecture in Laramie. Construction began May 3, 2024 and when completed at a cost of approximately $40,000, it was the finest home in Laramie. The Ivinsons came to Laramie in 1868. Edward Ivinson worked in the dry goods business and planned to supply the camps along the Union Pacific Railroad. He also became a banker. Jane Ivinson was instrumental in establishing the first school in Laramie in 1868. The political, economic and social histories of Laramie contain the names of the Ivinsons, and the museum reflects these two prominent citizens.

University of Wyoming American Heritage Center and Repository
2111 Willett Drive , Laramie
Phone: (307) 766-4114
Hours: Building - Monday, 8:00 AM - 9:00 PM, Tuesday-Friday, 8:00 AM - 5:00 PM. Manuscripts Reading Room Hours: Monday, 10AM-9PM; Tuesday-Friday, 8AM-5PM Toppan Library Hours: Monday-Friday, 9AM-5PM, by appointment
Admission: Free
Description: Internationally known for its historical collections, the serves the students and other citizens of Wyoming. With nearly 90,000 cubic feet of archives and manuscripts, the AHC is one of the largest nongovernmental repositories in the nation. Holdings include: 1 million photographs, 15,500 records, 15,000 maps, 15,000 films, 12,000 sound recordings, and 3,000 videotapes. Collecting fields include Wyoming and the American West, the mining and petroleum industries, U.S. journalism, conservation, aviation and 20th-century popular culture. The Toppan Rare Books Library and the Alan K. Simpson Institute for Western Politics and Leadership are also housed here.

University of Wyoming Anthropology Museum
Anthropology building, 12th and Lewis , Laramie
Phone: (307) 766-2208
Hours: 9 am to 4:30 pm, 8:30 am to 4 pm in the summer, Monday through Friday. After hours tours or weekend group tours can usually be arranged.
Admission: Free
Description: The main gallery follows the "Human Odyssey", starting with human evolution in Africa several million years ago and the spread of humans throughout the world to the late Pleistocene entry into North America. The Colby Mammoth Site, the Vore Buffalo Jump, and other Wyoming archaeology sites are featured, with much of the museum devoted to a celebration of the Native-American heritage of the Northern Plains region. Other extensive displays featuring archaeological research and cultural diversity are found throughout the building. School groups, civic organizations, and other groups are welcome, and tours may be scheduled ahead. Please call for more information.

University of Wyoming Art Museum
2111 Willett Drive , Laramie
Phone: (307) 766-6622
Hours: Monday - Saturday: 10 a.m. - 5 p.m.
Admission: Free
Description: The University of Wyoming Art Museum, located in the award-winning Centennial Complex, was established in 1974 to bring the world of art to Wyoming. Imagine Learning from the Masters is a guiding principal for a rotating schedule of exhibitions. Its permanent collection of nearly 7,000 objects spans Modern and Contemporary Art, American and European Art, fine art photography, and art of the Americas, Asia, and Africa. Known for its innovative education programs, special programs, openings, workshops, and tours are held on a regular basis. The Museum Store supports the Museum's education mission by offering items related to exhibition subjects.

University of Wyoming Geological Museum
S.H. Knight Geology Building, North of 11th and Lewis Street , Laramie
Phone: (307) 766-2646
Hours: Open Monday-Friday 10 am- 4 pm. Closed Saturday & Sundays.
Admission: Free
Description: Thousands of people from around the world, pre-schoolers to college students, visit Wyoming's own "Jurassic Park" at the University of Wyoming. in more than 100 tours given annually. Advances in technology allow the Museum to be a resource to the world through newspapers, magazines, television programs and the Internet. The museum's web page lists activities and new research in which the museum is involved. New techniques are used in its research projects, such as those used at the Red Gulch Dinosaur Tracksite and other dinosaur sites near Shell, Wyoming. These projects provide unique opportunities for those interested in vertebrate paleontology.

University of Wyoming Insect Gallery
Agriculture Building, Room 4018 University of Wyoming, Laramie
Phone: (307) 766-5130
Hours: Monday through Friday, 9 am - 4 pm
Admission: Free. Appointments are not required for small groups, but for large groups, please call ahead.
Description: The UW Insect Gallery, part of the UW Insect Museum, includes educational displays of preserved insects, a small zoo with living arthropods, a browsing library of insect books for children and a discovery cabinet with insect related items. Public teaching displays include exotic specimens from around the world as well as more well-known insects of the region. These collections contain more than one million preserved insect specimens and represent more than a century of research. Visitors are welcome, there is no fee, and no appointments are necessary for small groups; larger groups are encouraged to call in advance.

Harry C. Vaughan University of Wyoming Planetarium
University of Wyoming Physical Science Building 1000 E. University, Laramie
Phone: (307) 766-2613
Hours: Call for show times.
Admission: Tickets can be purchased at theater at $2 for student and $3 for non-students. Tickets can also be purchased at the Physics Department Main office in Physical Science room 204 Monday through Thursday from 8-5 and Friday from 8 to noon. At this time we can only accept cash or checks. The planetarium seats 58.
Description: The Planetarium is a facility of the Department of Physics and Astronomy. Shows are offered for the public, as well as for K-12 and college classes and community groups. Opened in 1969 and equipped with a Spitz star ball projector, it is located in the lower level of the Physical Science Building between the Library Annex and Classroom Building. Call for exact directions. A planetarium presenter can direct you to the best locations for viewing the show. Please contact us in advance or arrive early for the best choice of seating locations. Assistive listening devices are available with advance notice.

Wyoming Territorial Prison & State Historic Site
975 Snowy Range Road , Laramie
Phone: (307) 745-6161
Hours: Open from May 1 through October 31 EVERY DAY (including holidays), 8:00 a.m. – 7:00 p.m. DAILY
Admission: Adults: $5.00, Ages 12-17: $2.50, Ages 11 and Under: FREE. Guided tours are provided on Fridays – Saturdays at 11:00 a.m. and 2:00 pm., Sundays – Mondays at 2:00 p.m. and are included in the price of admission. Self-guided tour brochures are available in English, Español, Français, and Deutsch.
Description: Visitors can spend the day touring the beautifully restored Wyoming Territorial Prison. Built in 1872, the prison held some of the most notorious outlaws in the region, including Butch Cassidy. Visit he newly restored Warden's House and Horse Barn Exhibit Hall featuring rotating displays and a family friendly scavenger hunt. “Community Art, Western Art” features original pieces by the local Laramie Art Guilds. In the prison, learn more about Butch Cassidy in “The Reel, Not Real, Butch Cassidy” exhibit. Large groups and RVs are welcome! Plenty of parking. Picnic on the grounds and let the kids stretch their legs.

Wyoming's House for Historic Women
317 S. 2nd Street , Laramie
Phone: (307) 721-5718
Hours: Call for hours
Admission: Call for pricing
Description: On September 6, 1870, in Laramie, Wyoming, Louisa Ann Gardner Swain became the first woman in the world to cast a ballot thanks to a law contained in the 1869 Wyoming Suffrage Act, the first of its kind in the world. That same year in Laramie, Eliza Stewart became the first woman to serve on a jury and Martha Symons Boies became the first woman to serve as a bailiff. The Wyoming Women's History House, constructed in 2024, memorializes these extraordinary events that gave Wyoming its nickname, "The Equality State", and contains exhibits to honor Wyoming women who made history.

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