Wyoming's Territorial prison...
Wyoming's Territorial prison in Laramie clearly illustrates how prison life was in the Wyoming territory during the mid-1800s.
After visiting these exciting places, it was time to move on. Our next camp stop was to be in Laramie, Wyoming, with its own set of attractions and tourist stops. We stayed at the Laramie Kampground of America, which was conveniently located near most of the spots we wanted to visit. First up was the Wyoming Territorial Park in Laramie, which includes the Territorial prison. The prison, originally used in the 1870s, has been beautifully restored and was the home to some of the area's most rugged outlaws, including Butch Cassidy (before he became famous with the Hole in the Wall Gang). The self-guided tour of the prison gives you a realistic look at how life behind bars was in 19th century Wyoming.
We also took the historic downtown Laramie walking tour, which provides a historic insight into the city. Many of Laramie's buildings date back to the late 1800s, and a walk down the streets is indeed a walk into the past. While we were in the downtown section, we also toured the Ivinson Mansion, built in 1882, which includes a museum, carriage house, and an old log schoolhouse.
The Stagecoach Museum in Lusk,...
The Stagecoach Museum in Lusk, Wyoming, holds a wide array of stagecoaches and Old West artifacts.
Laramie is situated very close to the Medicine Bow National Forest, and we took the opportunity to drive into the mountains, which still had a scattering of snow on the peaks-even though it was June and the temperature in Laramie hovered in the 1890s. A short distance farther is the Colorado state line.
Lastly, during our drive through the countryside, we visited the strange pyramid-shaped Ames Monument, a 60-foot tribute to railroad financiers, Oliver and Oakes Ames. The monument is located on the highest point on the transcontinental railroad. Nearby, there's also a Lincoln Monument, which stood on the highest point on the Lincoln Highway, at 8,835 feet. In 1969 the monument was moved to its present site at the Summit Rest Area east of Laramie on Interstate 80.
Butch Cassidy was an inmate...
Butch Cassidy was an inmate at the Territorial prison before he became famous with the Hole in the Wall Gang.
Wyoming was definitely an eye-opener and was a bit different than we had imagined. With its historic sites, rolling prairies (filled with the most pronghorns we've ever seen), monuments, forts, and rich history, Wyoming has something for everyone. From Laramie, we packed up and were on our way to Utah and red-rock country. But that story will wait for another issue of Diesel Power.