When James Cash Penney opened his very own “Golden Rule Store” in Kemmerer, Wyoming in 1902, he had no idea the impact he would make on the culture of the United States over the next century. At one point, JCPenney was the largest catalog retailer in the world, and this iconic department store has been a household name for decades. It all started in small town Wyoming, and you can still visit the JCPenney mother store in Kemmerer today.

Penney bought out the original owners of Golden Rule in 1909. By 1913, Penney opened more than 30 stores and consolidated them all under the JC Penney name.
Wikimedia Commons / J.C.Penney Corp inc
At its peak, JCPenney operated more than 2,000 stores, worldwide! While the iconic chain is not quite that large anymore, the original store in Kemmerer still stands today.
Google Local / Kevin Stewart
You can visit the Kemmerer store to shop for just about anything, and to see Wyoming history laid out before your eyes.
Google Local / Randy Minck
While most JCPenney stores are enormous department stores acting as anchors in malls, the Kemmerer location is still just a small town shop.
Google Local / JC Penney

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Stop in to pick up clothing from any of the store's exclusive brands. They're known for being a great value, and the store often has sales on their most popular brands.
Google Local / M F
The true draw of the JCPenney in Kemmerer, though, is the way you can walk through time here. Take a while to notice the old photographs, newspaper clippings, and vintage decor that tells the story of the shop.
Google Local / Mitch Davis
A visit to the JCPenney mother store should be on every Wyomingite's bucket list. Our state is so full of unique history.
Google Local / Scott Blake
Just down the street from the JCPenney mother store is the Penney Homestead and Museum. Stop by for a glimpse at early Wyoming life!
Google Local / Lori Harris

Have you visited the JCPenney mother store in Kemmerer? While you’re in town, check out a totally different type of history and make plans to try digging for fossils at Warfield Quarry.

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Kemmerer, WY 83101, USA