Cheyenne, Wyoming

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Cheyenne
—  State Capital  —
City of Cheyenne
Capitol Ave. in Downtown Cheyenne

Seal
Nickname(s): Magic City of the Plains; Capital City (of Wyoming); The Frontier City
Location in Wyoming
Coordinates: 41°8′44″N 104°48′7″W / 41.14556°N 104.80194°W / 41.14556; -104.80194Coordinates: 41°8′44″N 104°48′7″W / 41.14556°N 104.80194°W / 41.14556; -104.80194
Country United States
State Wyoming
County Laramie
Founded 1867
Government
 • Mayor Richard Kaysen[1]
Area
 • State Capital 24.6 sq mi (63.8 km2)
 • Land 24.5 sq mi (63.5 km2)
 • Water 0.1 sq mi (0.3 km2)  0.44%
Elevation 6,062 ft (1,848 m)
Population (2010)
 • State Capital 59,466
 • Density 2,400/sq mi (930/km2)
 • Urban 71,775
 • Metro 91,738
Time zone Mountain (UTC-7)
 • Summer (DST) Mountain (UTC-6)
Area code(s) 307
FIPS code 56-13900[2]
GNIS feature ID 1609077[3]
Website www.cheyennecity.org
Most populous Wyoming City

Cheyenne (play /ʃaɪˈæn/ shy-AN or /ʃaɪˈɛn/) is the capital and most populous city of the US state of Wyoming and the county seat of Laramie County.[4] It is the principal city of the Cheyenne, Wyoming, Metropolitan Statistical Area which encompasses all of Laramie County. The population was 59,466 at the 2010 census.[5] Cheyenne is the northern terminus of the extensive and fast-growing Front Range Urban Corridor. Cheyenne is situated on Crow Creek and Dry Creek. The Cheyenne, Wyoming Metropolitan Area had a 2010 population of 91,738, making it the 354th most populated metropolitan area in the United States.

Contents

[edit] History

Bird's eye view of Cheyenne, Wyoming, in 1882

On July 5, 1867, General Grenville M. Dodge and his survey crew platted the site now known as Cheyenne in Dakota Territory (later Wyoming Territory). This site was chosen as the point at which the Union Pacific Railroad crossed Crow Creek, a tributary of the South Platte River. The city was not named by Dodge, as his memoirs state, but rather by friends who accompanied him to the area Dodge called "Crow Creek Crossing[citation needed]." It was named for the American Indian Cheyenne nation, one of the most famous and prominent Great Plains tribes closely allied with the Arapaho.

The construction of the Union Pacific Railroad brought hopes of prosperity to the region when it reached Cheyenne on November 13, 1867. The population at the time numbered over 4,000[citation needed], and grew rapidly. This rapid growth earned the city the nickname "Magic City of the Plains[citation needed]."

1867 also saw the establishment of Fort D. A. Russell, 3 miles west of the city. The fort was later renamed Francis E. Warren Air Force Base.

The Wyoming Stock Growers Association met at The Cheyenne Club, which allegedly acted as an interim government for the territory. Many of the WSGA's rules and regulations became state laws. The Wyoming State Capitol was constructed between 1886 and 1890, with further improvements being completed in 1917. In 1982, Cheyenne was the scene of a parricide case where Richard Jahnke Jr., aided by his sister Deborah, shot their abusive father to death in the garage of their home on November 16, 1982, an incident that was the basis of ABC's 1985 telefilm Right to Kill ?.

[edit] Geography and climate

Cheyenne is located at 41°8′44″N 104°48′7″W / 41.14556°N 104.80194°W / 41.14556; -104.80194 (41.145548, −104.802042)[6]. Lying near the southeast corner of the state, it is one of the least centrally located state capitals in the nation (together with cities such as Carson City, Nevada, Juneau, Alaska and Topeka, Kansas).

According to the United States Census Bureau, the city has a total area of 24.6 square miles (63.8 km2). 24.5 square miles (63.5 km2) of it is land, and 0.12 square miles (0.3 km2) of it (0.44%) is water.[7]

[edit] Climate

Cheyenne, like most of the rest of Wyoming, is semi-arid (Koppen BSk). Winters are cold and moderately long, but relatively dry, with a January average of 25.9 °F (−3.4 °C), highs that fail to reach freezing occur 37 days per year, and lows dip to the 0 °F (−18 °C) mark on 12 nights.[8] However, the coldness is often interrupted, with chinook winds blowing downslope from the Rockies that can warm conditions, bringing the high above 50 °F (10 °C) on 20 days from December to February.[8] Snowfall is greatest in March and April, averaging 60 inches (152 cm) for the season, yet thick snow cover rarely stays.[8][8] Summers are warm, with a July average of 67.7 °F (19.8 °C), and highs reaching 90 °F (32 °C) 8 times. Spring and autumn are quick transitions, with the median freeze dates being May 12 and September 26.[8] The annual precipitation tends to be concentrated from May to August and is low during fall and winter, contributing to the area's 2980 hours (~68%) of the possible total, of sunshine per year.

[edit] Neighborhoods

Cheyenne includes many neighborhoods within and out of its city limits. Not all listed, but some of them include:

  • Alta Vista in east-central Cheyenne
  • Antelope Hills in northwest Cheyenne
  • Archer Estates in eastern Cheyenne
  • Bar-X in northwest Cheyenne
  • Capitol Heights/Avenues in west-central Cheyenne
  • Crystal Valley Estates in northern Cheyenne
  • Monterey Heights in northwest Cheyenne
  • Mustang Ridge in north-central Cheyenne
  • Sun Valley in southeast Cheyenne
  • Teton Estates in northeast Cheyenne
  • Western Hills in northwest Cheyenne
  • Yellowstone Estates in northern Cheyenne

[edit] Demographics

Historical populations
Census Pop. %±
1870 1,450
—
1880 3,456 138.3%
1890 11,690 238.3%
1900 14,087 20.5%
1910 11,320 −19.6%
1920 13,829 22.2%
1930 17,361 25.5%
1940 22,474 29.5%
1950 31,935 42.1%
1960 43,505 36.2%
1970 41,254 −5.2%
1980 47,283 14.6%
1990 50,008 5.8%
2000 53,011 6.0%
2010 59,466 12.2%
State of Wyoming, U.S. Census Bureau,[11][12]

At the 2005–2007 American Community Survey 3-Year Estimates, the city's population was 89.3% White (79.2% non-Hispanic White alone), 12.7% Hispanic or Latino (of any race), 4.5% Black or African American, 2.5% American Indian and Alaska Native, 2.1% Asian and 6.4% from some other race.[13] 22.5% of the total population had a Bachelor's degree or higher.[14]

As of the census[2] of 2000, there were 53,011 people, 22,324 households, 14,175 families residing in the city, and 81,607 people residing in the Metropolitan Statistical Area making it the largest city and metropolitan area in the state of Wyoming. The population density was 2,511.4 inhabitants per square mile (969.6/km²). There were 23,782 housing units at an average density of 1,126.7 per square mile (435.0/km²). The racial makeup of the city was 88.1% White, 2.8% Black or African American, 0.8% Native American, 1.1% Asian, 0.1% Pacific Islander, 4.4% from other races, and 2.7% from two or more races. 12.5% of the population were Hispanic or Latino of any race.

There were 22,324 households out of which 30.4% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 49.2% were married couples living together, 10.6% had a female householder with no husband present, and 36.5% were non-families. 31.3% of all households were made up of individuals and 10.6% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 2.33 and the average family size was 2.93.

In the city the population was spread out with 24.9% under the age of 18, 8.8% from 18 to 24, 29.7% from 25 to 44, 22.8% from 45 to 64, and 13.8% who were 65 years of age or older. The median age was 37 years. For every 100 females there were 95.3 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there were 92.7 males.

The median income for a household in the city was $38,856, and the median income for a family was $46,771. Males had a median income of $32,286 versus $24,529 for females. The per capita income for the city was $19,809. About 6.3% of families and 8.8% of the population were below the poverty line, including 11.1% of those under age 18 and 5.8% of those age 65 or over.

[edit] Government

Cheyenne's government consists of a mayor and a city council. The mayor is elected in a citywide vote. The city council has nine members each of whom are elected from one of three wards. Each ward elects three members. The Mayors Office is responsible for managing the various City Departments which consist of Street/Alley, Police, Fire, Parks, Fleet Maintenance, Traffic, Sanitation, Downtown Historic District, Weed and Pest, Facilities Maintenance, 1% Projects, and Cemetery. The Cheyenne Board of Public Utilities is owned by the city but is semi autonomous.[15]

[edit] Education

[edit] Primary and secondary schools

Public education in the city of Cheyenne is provided by Laramie County School District #1. The district is served by four high schools, Central High on the northwest side, East High on the east side, South High on the south side, and Triumph High, also on the south side.

[edit] Colleges and universities

Cheyenne is home to Laramie County Community College (LCCC), a branch of Institute of Business & Medical Careers, and a branch of University of Phoenix.

[edit] Economy

 This section needs additional citations for verification. Please help improve this article by adding citations to reliable sources. Unsourced material may be challenged and removed. (May 2009)

Government is the largest sector of Cheyenne's economy. The state of Wyoming operates a multitude of offices in downtown Cheyenne. Many area residents are employed by or are dependent on the U.S. Air Force, through F.E. Warren Air Force Base to the west of the city, or by the Wyoming National Guard. Railroads remain a major economic force for the city, with both the Burlington Northern Santa Fe and Union Pacific employing many residents.[16]

Steps have been taken in recent years to diversify the city's economy. Lowe's and Wal-Mart both operate distribution centers on the city's outskirts. Sierra Trading Post is headquartered in the city and also operates its distribution and fulfillment centers in the city.[17]

Cheyenne's high elevation, coupled with its position on the continent, make it one of the windiest cities in America. The abundance of wind makes Cheyenne an opportune place to develop wind energy and to fly kites. Wind turbines are currently being placed around Laramie County. Laramie County Community College is home to a leading wind energy technician program, where students learn to maintain these turbines. The opening of a Vestas wind turbine blade assembly in nearby Weld County, Colorado, as well as other alternative energy manufacturing facilities around Colorado, are transforming the region into a center for alternative energy.

Great Lakes Airlines and Taco John's are headquartered in Cheyenne.[18][19]

Cheyenne has one of only three enclosed shopping malls in Wyoming, the Frontier Mall. The others being Eastridge Mall in Casper, and the White Mountain Mall in Rock Springs.

List of tallest buildings in Cheyenne:

  • Wyoming State Capitol 146 ft.
  • Wyoming Financial Center 110 ft.
  • Joseph C. O'Mahoney Federal Building 80 ft.
  • Burke Senior Center 80 ft.
  • Cheyenne Regional Medical Center 70 ft.

[edit] Culture

[edit] Parks and Recreation

Below is a list of parks in Cheyenne:

  • Lions
  • Western Hills
  • Bar X
  • Centennial
  • Pointe
  • Smaley
  • Mylar
  • Frontier
  • Cahill
  • Brimmer
  • Sun Valley
  • Sun Valley Open Space
  • Saddle Ridge
  • United Nations
  • VFW Pride
  • Norris Refinery
  • Lincoln
  • Optimist
  • Timberline
  • Crow Creek Pocket
  • Romero
  • Martin Luther King, Jr.
  • Clear Creek
  • North Cheyenne
  • Jaycee
  • Leo Pando
  • Pioneer
  • Big sky
  • LCCC Natural Area
  • Holliday
  • Civitan

In addition to the parks, Cheyenne has many paths that make up the Greater Cheyenne Greenway. The greenway serves as a gateway to the parks and neighborhoods of Cheyenne. In 1996, as a result of the greenway, Cheyenne was named " Trail Town USA " by the National Park service and the American Hiking Society.

Recreation includes:

  • Taco Johns Event Center
  • 2 Bar Bowl bowling alley
  • Roller City
  • Cheyenne Rec Center
  • Junior League Complex
  • Dutcher Field
  • BNSF Rail Trail

Golf Courses in Cheyenne include:

  • Airport Golf Course
  • Prairie View Golf course
  • Cheyenne Country Club

[edit] Landmarks

Wyoming State Capitol in Cheyenne
Lions Park

[edit] Historic places

Over fifty different locations in Cheyenne are listed on the National Register of Historical Places, including:

  • the Atlas Theatre (added 1973)
  • Union Pacific Depot (1973)
  • the Governor's Mansion (1969)
  • Nagle-Warren Mansion (1976)
  • First Presbyterian Church (1869)
  • First United Methodist Church (1975)
  • St. Mark's Episcopal Church (1970)
  • St. Mary's Catholic Cathedral (1974)
  • Cheyenne High School (2005)
  • Storey Gymnasium (2005)
  • Park Addition School (1970)

Several districts in the city are also listed, including:

  • the Downtown District (1978, with boundary increase in 1980, 1988, 1996. Encompasses 205 acres (0.83 km2) and 67 buildings)
  • Lakeview District (1996, 350 acres 109 buildings)
  • Rainsford District (1984, 1980 acres 288 buildings)
  • Capitol North District (1980, 204 acres 112 buildings)
  • Fort David A. Russell (1969, 6300 acres 19 buildings)
  • Union Pacific Roundhouse, Turntable and Machine Shop (1992, 113 acres 2 buildings)
  • South Side District (2006)

[edit] Transportation

[edit] Highways

Plaque depicting Cheyenne's street grid along with historic districts
Map of Cheyenne Road Network

[edit] Interstate highways

I-25.svg I-25

  • North-South Interstate running from New Mexico to Wyoming intersects I-80 southwest of Cheyenne.

I-80.svg I-80

  • East-West Interstate running from California to New Jersey. Intersects I-25 southwest of Cheyenne.

I-180.svg I-180

  • North-South interstate that runs concurrent with US 85 from I-80 to US 30.
    (It is the only Interstate Highway that is not up to Interstate Highway standards along its entire route)

[edit] US routes

US 30.svg US 30 (Lincolnway)

  • East-West route through Cheyenne

US 85.svg US 85 (South Greely Hwy., Central Ave. (Southbound), Warren Ave. (Northbound))

  • North-South route through Cheyenne

US 87.svg US 87

  • North-South through Cheyenne that runs concurrent with I-25 through Cheyenne

[edit] Wyoming state highways

WY-210.svg WYO 210 (Happy Jack Rd.)

  • East-West route from I-25/US 87 (Exit 10) west out of Cheyenne towards Laramie

WY-212.svg WYO 212 (College Dr., Four Mile Rd.)

  • North-South route that forms a beltway around Cheyenne. From I-25 (Exit 7) to WYO 219

WY-219.svg WYO 219 (Yellowstone Rd.)

  • North-South route from US 85 in Cheyenne near the Cheyenne Airport north out of the city

WY-221.svg WYO 221 (Fox Farm Rd.)

  • East-west route from US 85 east to WYO 212 in Cheyenne

WY-222.svg WYO 222 (Fort Access Rd.)

  • North-South route from WYO 225 just southeast of Cheyenne and travels north to F.E. Warren Air Force Base and continues on its north route east of the city to WYO 221

WY-225.svg WYO 225 (Otto Rd.)

  • East-West route from I-80/US 30 southwest of Cheyenne west

[edit] Airports

Cheyenne Regional Airport features daily service from Great Lakes Airlines (to Denver) and American Eagle Airlines (to Dallas-Fort Worth).[20]

[edit] Railroads

The Union Pacific and BNSF railroads intersect in Cheyenne. The city is home to a BNSF railyard, as well as the Union Pacific's steam program. UP's 844 and 3985 reside in the steam shop.[21]

[edit] Cheyenne Frontier Days

Cheyenne Frontier Days, which occurs during 10 days centered around the last full week in July, is the largest outdoor rodeo in the US. The events include professional bull riding, calf roping, barrel racing, steer wrestling, team roping, bronc riding, steer roping, bareback riding and many others. During this week there are many parades and other events. Additionally there is a carnival with numerous rides, games and shops. Frontier Days concerts scheduled for 2011 are: Kid Rock, Jason Aldean, The Charlie Daniels Band, Motley Crue, Darius Rucker, Sara Evans, Zac Brown Band, and Toby Keith with Eric Church.[22]

[edit] Fictional references to Cheyenne

Question book-new.svg This unreferenced section requires citations to ensure verifiability.

In the Spike TV series Blue Mountain State, the main characters Alex Moran and Sammy Cacciatore are from Cheyenne.

Three novels by Philip K. Dick are partly set in Cheyenne. In The Man in the High Castle, it is where Hawthorne Abendsen lives in the eponymous "High Castle". In Dr. Bloodmoney, it is the seat of a military dictatorship. In The Penultimate Truth, several characters are linked by post-apocalyptic Cheyenne.

In the American serial drama Jericho, Cheyenne is the capital city of the Allied States of America, a separatist faction of the United States formed after a surprise nuclear attack on the country's major metropolitan areas.

In the 1984 motion picture Red Dawn, Cheyenne is the farthest north that the Cuban, Soviet, and Nicaraguan forces have pushed American forces. In the motion picture Ready to Rumble, the two main protagonists go to a live WCW Monday Night Nitro in Cheyenne.

Garth Brooks recorded the song "Beaches of Cheyenne". James McMurtry wrote and recorded a song titled, "Lights of Cheyenne".Guided by Voices have a song titled "Cheyenne" on Universal Truths and Cycles. A B-side of The Hold Steady's Stay Positive is titled "Cheyenne Sunrise" ("there's nothing like a Cheyenne sunrise to make us has-beens feel too old"). Country singer George Strait recorded the song "I Can Still Make Cheyenne". Country singer Eric Church makes reference to spurring a bull in Cheyenne in the song "These Boots". In country singer Chris Young's song "Neon" he references the skies in Cheyenne, Wyoming.

[edit] Sister cities

Cheyenne's sister cities are:

[edit] Notable natives and residents

[edit] Media

Television stations in eastern Wyoming and western Nebraska
Cheyenne, WY

KCDO (3.1 Ind) • KGWN (5.1 CBS, 5.2 CBS "Northern Colorado 5", 5.3 The CW Plus "KCHW") • KWYP (8.1 PBS/WYPBS) • KCHY 13 (NBC) • K14LV 14 (TBN) • K16JM (16.1 ABC) • KLWY (27.1 Fox, 27.2 ABC) • KQCK (33.1 VasalloVision) • KMAH 39 (COR) • KDEV 40 (Me-TV) • KKRR 45 (Ind) • KGSC (47.1 Ind) • K49AY 49 (ALMA)
Laramie, WY
Scottsbluff, NE

KDUH (4.1 ABC, 4.2 RTV, 4.3 This) • KSTF (10.1 CBS) • KTNE (13.1 PBS/NET) • K44HG (TBN)
Defunct stations
KTUW (16.1 RTV/Ind)
Radio stations in the Cheyenne, Wyoming market
By FM frequency
88.1 • 88.5 • 90.1 • 90.3 • 91.9 • 92.3 • 92.9 • 93.7 • 93.9 • 94.3 • 95.1 • 96.1 • 96.7 • 97.9 • 98.7 • 99.1 • 99.9 • 100.3 • 100.7 • 101.9 • 102.9 • 104.9 • 105.5 • 106.3 • 107.1 • 107.9
By AM frequency
650 • 1240 • 1380 • 1480 • 1630
By callsign
KAIX • KARS • KAZY • KCGY • KCWA • KFBC • KGAB • KIGN • KIMX • KJAC • KJUA • KKPL • KLEN • KMAX-FM • KOLT-FM • KOLZ • KPAW • KRAE • KRAN • KRND • KRQU • KRRR • KSME • KUAD • KUWL • KUWR • KUWY • KWYC • KXBG • KYOY

Wyoming Radio Markets: Casper • Cheyenne
Other Wyoming Radio Regions: Gillette • Laramie • Riverton/Lander • Rock Springs • Sheridan • South Central Wyoming • Southwestern Wyoming

See also: List of radio stations in Wyoming

[edit] References

  1. ^ Mayor's Office, Cheyenne. Accessed January 18, 2009.
  2. ^ a b "American FactFinder". United States Census Bureau. http://factfinder.census.gov. Retrieved 2008-01-31. 
  3. ^ "US Board on Geographic Names". United States Geological Survey. 2007-10-25. http://geonames.usgs.gov. Retrieved 2008-01-31. 
  4. ^ "Find a County". National Association of Counties. http://www.naco.org/Counties/Pages/FindACounty.aspx. Retrieved 2011-06-07. 
  5. ^ "Profile of General Population and Housing Characteristics: 2010 Demographic Profile Data (DP-1): Cheyenne city, Wyoming". U.S. Census Bureau, American Factfinder. http://factfinder2.census.gov. Retrieved April 2, 2012. 
  6. ^ "US Gazetteer files: 2010, 2000, and 1990". United States Census Bureau. 2011-02-12. http://www.census.gov/geo/www/gazetteer/gazette.html. Retrieved 2011-04-23. 
  7. ^ "Geographic Identifiers: 2010 Demographic Profile Data (G001): Cheyenne city, Wyoming". U.S. Census Bureau, American Factfinder. http://factfinder2.census.gov. Retrieved April 2, 2012. 
  8. ^ a b c d e "Climatography of the United States No. 20 (1971–2000)" (PDF). National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration. 2004. http://cdo.ncdc.noaa.gov/climatenormals/clim20/wy/481675.pdf. Retrieved May 17, 2010. 
  9. ^ "NowData – NOAA Online Weather Data". National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration. http://www.nws.noaa.gov/climate/xmacis.php?wfo=cys. Retrieved January 19, 2012. 
  10. ^ "Climatological Normals of Cheyenne". Hong Kong Observatory. http://www.weather.gov.hk/wxinfo/climat/world/eng/n_america/us/Cheyenne_e.htm. Retrieved May 17, 2010. 
  11. ^ Moffatt, Riley (1996). Population History of Western U.S. Cities & Towns, 1850–1990. Lanham: Scarecrow. p. 338. ISBN 0810830337. 
  12. ^ "Subcounty population estimates: Wyoming 2000–2007" (CSV). United States Census Bureau, Population Division. March 18, 2009. http://www.census.gov/popest/cities/files/SUB-EST2007-56.csv. Retrieved May 9, 2009. 
  13. ^ American FactFinder. Factfinder.census.gov. Retrieved on April 11, 2012.
  14. ^ American FactFinder. Factfinder.census.gov. Retrieved on April 11, 2012.
  15. ^ Cheyenne, WY – Official Website – City Council. Wy-cheyenne.civicplus.com. Retrieved on April 11, 2012.
  16. ^ The Cheyenne-Laramie County Corporation for Economic Development. Cheyenne LEADS. Retrieved on April 11, 2012.
  17. ^ Bowman, Robert J. (May 1, 2007). "A Random Walk Through Sierra Trading Post’s Warehouse". Global Logistics & Supply Chain Strategies. http://www.supplychainbrain.com/content/technology-solutions/warehouse-management/single-article-page/article/a-random-walk-through-sierra-trading-posts-warehouse/. 
  18. ^ "Contact Us". Great Lakes Airlines. http://www.flygreatlakes.com/contact_us/contact_us.htm. Retrieved May 25, 2009. 
  19. ^ "Contact Us". Taco John's. http://www.tacojohns.com/contact.asp. Retrieved February 25, 2010. 
  20. ^ www.flycheyenne.net
  21. ^ "UP: Steam". http://www.up.com/aboutup/special_trains/steam/index.shtml. Retrieved August 18, 2010. 
  22. ^ Cheyenne Frontier Days. Cfdrodeo.com (April 3, 2012). Retrieved on April 11, 2012.

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