Wyoming Territorial Penitentiary

a.k.a. University of Wyoming Agricultural Experiment Station Stock

Off WY 130, Laramie, WY
The Union Pacific Railroad came to Wyoming in 1867 and soon thereafter, in July 1868, came the organization of the Territory of Wyoming. During the first months of the territory's existence, towns cropped up almost overnight just ahead of the westward-moving railroad, and many disappeared as quickly as they had appeared. "Hells-on-wheels" were called and were aptly named, teaming with saloons, brothels, burlesque shows, gambling houses, and all the activities, both legal and illegal, that were associated with such establishments. Although law enforcement at the time was somewhat uneven, some of the "frontier desperadoes", as one Laramie newspaper called them, were caught, tried, and convicted. Once sentenced, these convicts had to be held in a prison for the terms of their sentences.

Within two years after its formation, the new territory was in a quandary as to what it should do with its growing number of convicts. Wyoming had been sending its prisoners to the Detroit House of Correction, but transportation costs were high and it was felt that the money saved by housing the offenders within the territory would justify the construction of a new penitentiary. Wyoming Governor John A. Campbell wrote in 1870 in an appropriation request to the U. S. Secretary of Interior: "The building of a penitentiary will result in a great saving to the general government." The decision to build the facility was made in Washington soon thereafter, and later that year money was being set aside from the federal tax revenue collected from Wyoming. The Territorial Legislature had by that time designated Laramie City, one of the railroad towns, to be the location for the prison. The penitentiary was to be a federal facility, intended to be occupied by federal convicts. Territorial convicts would also be kept there at a daily charge to the territory. The prison was to be under the management of a federal marshal who would be assisted by at least one warden.

Bids for the construction of the prison were called for in September 1871, but irregularities were discovered in the bidding procedure and the resulting charges and countercharges delayed the awarding of the contract for several months. Construction was finally begun on the building on April 30, 1872, by Livingston and Schram, contractors from Denver, (the winning bid was $31,450.) It continued without a report of an incident, and on July 15 the cornerstone was laid in place. According to the Laramie Daily Sentinel of that day, it was dedicated "to evil doers of all classes and kinds, in token of which C. H. Brussard deposited a bottle of old bourbon in the cornerstone." In October the wing was accepted, and the first prisoners were brought from Cheyenne on January 14, 1873, and received by Warden N. K. Boswell.
Local significance of the building:
Law; Politics/government; Architecture

Listed in National Register of Historic Places in 1978.

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.

The town of Jackson, Wyoming is known as the "Gateway to Yellowstone" and is a popular tourist destination.
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.