City history
From its roots as a gathering place for the Cheyenne people to its rise as a vital railroad hub, explore the chronological history of Wyoming's capital.
Chapter one
Indigenous name
"Red Paint People"
The Cheyenne people, known for their nomadic lifestyle across the Great Plains, provided the name for this settlement and its broader region.
Named after the Cheyenne tribe
The city was established as a settlement near the historic lands of the Tsitsistas people.
Chapter two
Following the nationwide implementation of railroad time, Cheyenne transitioned from local solar time to the standardized Mountain Time zone to aid transit.
The implementation of the Uniform Time Act helped standardize the transition between standard and daylight saving time across the United States.
Chapter three
Cheyenne was officially established as a settlement, serving as a critical point for the early development and growth of the Wyoming territory.
The completion of the Union Pacific Railroad transformed Cheyenne into a major transportation hub, necessitating precise timekeeping for train schedules.
With the admission of Wyoming to the Union, Cheyenne solidified its essential role as a significant political and economic center for the state.
Cheyenne continues its long-standing and vital role as the primary administrative seat of government for the entire state of Wyoming.