Conley, John D., House

The John D. Conley House, built in 1888, is significant for its association with the early development of the University of Wyoming, and
the way in which it reflects the changing nature of the community of Laramie.

John Dykeman Conley purchased the land for the house. Lots 3 and 4, City Block 186, from John Allyn, who originally purchased the land from the Union Pacific Railroad Company. Conley purchased the land in 1887, and although the Conley house occupies only the east half of the lots, the deed lists the property as the whole parcel until 1888. The concrete sidewalk at the northeast corner of the property still has the name Allyn written in the concrete.

A sketch, reproduced, is found in the Laramie Board of Trade Booklet, City of Laramie, Wyoming, Its Resources, 1890. The booklet includes sketches of principal residences of the city at that time. The house is captioned "Residence of Prof. John D. Conley." Also a photograph dated 1898 was found in the Wyoming State Archives, in Cheyenne.

John D. Conley was a member of the first faculty of the University of Wyoming. In his "History of the University of Wyoming, 1887-1964," Wilson O. Clough states,"...the records are not clear as to when J. D. Conley...received their appointments. The Sentinel of July 2 reports Professor Conley as finding Laramie "far in advance of anything he expected to find in this frontier and western country.' Conley was authorized in the minutes of July 4, to produce such chemical and philosophical apparatus as he may deem necessary to an amount not exceeding $1,500.'" Wilson goes on to say "of the new faculty, J. D. Conley, born in New York State in 1843, was a graduate of Hamilton in 1869, following which date he had been for eighteen years professor of chemistry at Blackburn College, Illinois.

"Conley was put in charge of geology, chemistry, astronomy and natural sciences.'" The University of Wyoming Circular of General Information for 1887-1888 (The first year of classes), described him as "Secretary to the University, Instructor in Natural Philosophy, Instructor of Calligraphy, Professor of Geology and Chemistry, Instructor of Drawing, Professor of Agricultural Geology, Chemistry and Farm Accounts, as well as Vice President of the University. He was also the second highest-paid official at the University at that time.

J.D. Conley has also been described as "a friend of William Cullen Bryant and Gerrit Smith and one of his lectures was his personal reminiscences of the two men. Admission to the lecture was 25 cents and the money went to the Library fund. Conley helped organized the University Literary and Arts Society and was a frequent lecturer to the group. He helped plan the program and conducted the exercises of the Albany County Teacher’s Institute in 1888."

After the dismissal of President Hoytl in December of 1890, Conley served as President (acting) until a new president was found in January of 1891. Also during his tenure as Secretary to the University, Conley kept all the records of the University, in his own hand. These records are still on the University of Wyoming Campus. Conley remained with the University until 1896. He was nominated as
President, but did not receive the job, in 1891. Before leaving Laramie, he sold the house to then President of the University of Wyoming, Elmer E. Smiley.

Elmer E. Smiley was President of the University from 1898 to 1903. Elmer Smiley had received a post-graduate degree in Semitic languages at Yale University and then remained to receive a degree in theology. In 1894 he took the position of minister of the First Congregational Church in Cheyenne. In 1898 he resigned as pastor for the purpose of accepting the position of President of the University of Wyoming. In a biographical sketch found in the University of Wyoming Archives, his tenure as President is described as follows: "Since he has been at the head of the State University, that institution has had a remarkable advance in power and influence and is rapidly becoming one of the leading educational institutions of the West. His management has been characterized by the ability of a high order and its influence for good has been largely extended throughout the state." "The Home of President and Mrs. Smiley is the center of a gracious and refined hospitality, which they take pleasure in dispensing to their large circle of friends," "He is one of the strong men of the educational world and his future will be watched with interest."

In 1903, C.D. Spalding purchased the property and held the title until 1924. Spalding was the first clerk and finally President of the Albany National Bank in Laramie. The Spaldings sold the property in 1924 to Nathaniel S. Thomas, Bishop of Wyoming, for the Wyoming Diocese of the Episcopal Church. The Church retained primary ownership of the property until 1946. During this time the house served as the home for the Kappa Delta Society of the University, 1929 and 1930. In photographs from the 1929 and 1930 University of Wyoming yearbooks, the house appears almost exactly as it stands today.

Mrs. Christenna Christensen purchased the house in 1946. From that date until 1966, it served as a boarding house for students of
the University. Two final changes in ownership have occurred and service to the University community has passed in favor of private
residence.