National Register Listing

Ivinson Mansion and Grounds

Lots 1--8, block 178, Laramie, WY
The town of Laramie, in which the Ivinson home is located, is situated along the Big Laramie River near the center of the Laramie Plains. In the early days of the town's history, the location was described as one mile below the crossing of the old California Emigrant Road of 1849 and seven miles below the crossing of the Overland Mail and Stage road. The town is situated on a plain or park of about two million acres at an elevation of approximately 7200 feet. To the east lies a range of mountains once known as the "Black Hills" and today are known as the Laramie Mountains. They form a semicircle that cuts the Laramie Plains off from the Great Plains, located further east. To the west of the Plains lie the Medicine Bow Mountains, part of the Front Range of the Rocky Mountains which extends into Colorado. Toward the North, the Medicine Bow Range curves away from the Plains and allows for a natural highway to the west.

Until 1868 the Laramie Plains area was important mainly in that it was a part of a land highway over which rolled emigrant wagons headed westward. The harsh physical environment of the Plains itself did not attract much settlement at that time. However, in 1866 the officials of the Union Pacific Railroad adopted the recommended route of General G. M. Dodge and the Union Pacific tracks were laid toward and over the Laramie Mountains from Cheyenne, rather than along a more northern route coinciding with the Oregon Trail, or the more southerly route through Colorado.
Local significance of the building:
Community Planning And Development; Commerce; Education; Politics/government; Architecture; Religion; Social History

Listed in National Register of Historic Places in 1972.

The National Register of Historic Places is the official list of the Nation’s historic places worthy of preservation. Authorized by the National Historic Preservation Act of 1966, the National Park Service’s National Register of Historic Places is part of a national program to coordinate and support public and private efforts to identify, evaluate, and protect America’s historic and archeological resources.

Audiobooks about the history of Wyoming.
Wyoming was the first state in the US to grant women the right to vote. On December 10, 1869, Wyoming Governor John A. Campbell signed the first women's suffrage bill into law, making Wyoming the first government in the world to grant women the right to vote and to hold public office.
Wyoming random facts
Albany County in Wyoming has a rich history that dates back thousands of years. The region was originally inhabited by Native American tribes, including the Arapaho and Cheyenne tribes, who established their presence in the area long before the arrival of Europeans. These tribes relied on the region's abundant wildlife and water resources for sustenance and trade.

The first European explorers to venture into the area were members of the French Canadian fur trade, who arrived in the early 19th century. However, it was not until the mid-19th century that permanent settlement began to take shape in Albany County. The discovery of gold in the nearby South Pass region attracted miners and fortune-seekers, leading to an influx of settlers into the area.

The establishment of the Overland Trail, a major route for westward migration, further contributed to the growth of Albany County. The county's main town, Laramie, was founded in 1868 as a crucial stop along the Union Pacific Railroad. Laramie quickly developed into a vibrant community with the construction of schools, businesses, and government institutions.

Albany County's history also includes its role in the expansion of higher education in Wyoming. The University of Wyoming, founded in Laramie in 1886, became the state's first institution of higher learning. Today, the university remains a prominent institution and contributes significantly to the county's cultural and economic development.

Over the years, Albany County has evolved from its early mining and railroad roots into a diverse and thriving community. With its natural beauty, rich history, and robust economy, the county continues to attract residents and visitors alike to experience its unique culture and explore the great outdoors.

This timeline provides a glimpse into the major events and milestones that have shaped the history of Albany County, Wyoming.

  • 1868 - Albany County was established on December 16, 1868, by the Dakota Legislature.
  • 1869 - Laramie, the county seat of Albany County, was founded on May 4, 1869.
  • 1870 - The University of Wyoming, the state's only four-year public university, was established in Laramie.
  • 1872 - The Union Pacific Railroad reached Laramie, providing increased transportation and commerce opportunities for Albany County.
  • 1875 - Territorial reform created Wyoming Territory, with Albany County as one of its original five counties.
  • 1886 - The Wyoming Territorial Prison was opened in Laramie, serving as a territorial penitentiary.
  • 1891 - The Wyoming Statehood Act was signed, making Wyoming the 44th state of the United States with Albany County as one of its counties.
  • 1905 - The University of Wyoming moved to its current campus location in Laramie.
  • 1921 - The Grand Encampment Museum was established to preserve the history and heritage of the mining and ranching communities in the area.
  • 1930 - Medicine Bow National Forest was established, providing recreational opportunities and protecting natural resources in Albany County.
  • 1962 - The Albany County Courthouse, an iconic Laramie landmark, was completed.
  • 1978 - The Wyoming Infrared Observatory, an astronomical observatory, was dedicated, enhancing scientific research in the region.