Cheyenne is the capital of the state of Wyoming. It is also known as the nation’s rodeo and railroad capital and is home to Cheyenne Frontier Days, the world’s largest outdoor rodeo. It also houses the Big Boy, the world’s largest steam engine. In October of 2020, during the height of COVID, we had embarked on a road trip from Pittsburgh to Portland, stopping at various cities on the way. Cheyenne was one of the cities we spent a night. We visited the following sites:
- Wyoming State Capitol building
- Big Boy Steam Engine
- Abraham Lincoln Memorial Monument in Laramie
Wyoming State Capitol – Built between 1886-1890, it is one of the capitol buildings designated as National Historic Landmarks. It is known as the People’s House and is the seat of Wyoming’s Executive and Legislative branches of government. The architecture of the building is renaissance revival, reminiscent of the National Capitol Building in Washington, D.C.
The dome inside the capitol building
Senate and House of Representative rooms – The Wyoming Senate and the House of Representative rooms are located on the first floor of the Capitol building. The Senate is in the West wing and the House of Representatives in the East wing.
Cheyenne Big Boy Steam Engine – Cheyenne’s big boy 4004 steam engine is located in holiday park and is one of the 8 remaining Big Boys on display in the country.
Abraham Lincoln Memorial Monument, Laramie – As you head west on I-80 and about 50 miles from Cheyenne, you will come across Abraham Lincoln Memorial Monument. A 12.5 feet bronze bust of Abraham Lincoln sits atop a 30 feet high granite pedestal. The monument overlooks Interstate 80 and commemorates Lincoln’s 150th birthday. There’s plenty of parking as there’s a Visitor Center with lots of brochures and pamphlets of the surrounding area. This place is located on interstate 80 at the Summit Rest area.
