National Register Listing

Cooper Mansion

1411 Grand Ave., Laramie, WY
The Cooper Mansion is historically and architecturally significant to both Albany County and the State of Wyoming. Better than any other structure in Albany County, and perhaps the state, the Cooper Mansion represents two significant periods in Wyoming history. As the Cooper family home in the United States, the Mansion serves as tangible evidence of the extent and character of British economic colonialism in the western United States during the late 19th century. Beginning in the 1870's many wealthy young men from Britain came to Wyoming and purchased huge tracts of land on which they sought to establish virtual empires. Collectively called the "Cattle Barons," on the Laramie Plains, Frank Cooper was the leading member of the foreign-born contingent. Frank Cooper developed the first successful means to freeze and transport beeves. His company, the Marsh and Cooper Pacific Express established Laramie as the cold storage center for the Union Pacific Railroad. The Cooper Mansion also represents the early economic benefits to come to those who discovered oil on their land. When Frank Cooper sold his ranch in 1904 he wisely had mineral rights. The discoveries of oil at Cooper's Cove and the Rock Creek valley west of Laramie in 1917 contributed to the first oil boom in Wyoming. Because of legal requirements, the Coopers had to establish residency in the United States to retain ownership of their mineral rights, therefore, Frank Cooper's children - Richard, John, and Barbara- came from Britain to Wyoming in 1920. They commissioned Laramie architect Wilbur Hitchcock to design for them a home-like those they had seen in Santa Barbara, California. Many of Hitchcock's buildings still remain in Laramie yet none of them are similar to the Cooper Mansion. Stylistically, the structure is singularly significant because it represents Wyoming's adaptation of the Mission and Pueblo styles in a 1920's residential building. As an interesting combination of styles, the Cooper Mansion is certainly the only structure of its type in the state. Today, the Cooper Mansion acts as a visual reminder of Wyoming's varied and interesting past. The structure's association with the prosperous Cooper family and its distinctive design render it a very important building in the annals of Wyoming history.
Local significance of the building:
Commerce; Architecture

Listed in National Register of Historic Places in 1983.

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.

commerce architecture
The Ames Monument, located in southeastern Wyoming, is a pyramid-shaped monument built to honor the Ames brothers, who helped finance the construction of the Union Pacific Railroad.
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 concise overview of the key events in 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.