12 Photos That Show How Different Wyoming Looked 100 Years Ago

Wyoming has gone through a major transformation over the last 100 years or so. Native American tribes originally settled in the area and then white explorers eventually inhabited their territory. This led to westward expansion and a short-lived gold boom. Then with the arrival of the Union Pacific Railroad, towns were established and the population grew. Here are 12 photos with a little bit of their history that show how different Wyoming looked over 100 years ago.

1. Pine Bluffs - 1868

In 1868, Pine Bluffs consisted only of a tent, a shack with a stone chimney and a shed with canvas covered poles. Around 1884, Pine Bluffs became the largest shipping point on the Union Pacific Railroad and by the 1900s, Pine Bluffs was known as the best lighted city in the United States.

2. Cheyenne - 1869

This is a far cry from what the capital city looks like today. This is a stereoscopic view of Main Street in Cheyenne, Wyoming in 1869. Do you recognize anything?

3. Cheyenne - 1876

This picture was taken nine years after Cheyenne was founded. The Union Pacific Railroad reached Cheyenne by 1867 and the population began to grow rapidly. Also during this time, the Francis E. Warren Air Force Base was established in 1867.

4. Yellowstone Lake - 1871

Here's a picture of Yellowstone Lake from way back. The Annie was, reportedly, the first boat ever launched on Yellowstone Lake which occurred on June 29, 1871 in Yellowstone National Park.

5. Laramie - 1908

Laramie was founded in the mid 1860s. In 1870, several female residents from Laramie became the first women to serve on a jury, and the first woman to cast a legal vote in a general election in the United States. Early businesses included mills, railroad tie treatment plant, brick yard, slaughterhouse, brewery, glass manufacturing plant, railroad yards and a plant to produce electricity. There were also several railroads based in Laramie. In 1887, the University of Wyoming was established as the only public university of the state.

6. Sheridan - 1909

Sheridan, located in northern Wyoming, was named after a Union Cavalry leader in the Civil War. Sheridan was the scene of many fierce battles between the US Cavalry and the Crow, Sioux and Cheyenne tribes.

Pictured is a panoramic view of the town at the intersection of Main Street and Brundage in 1909.

7. Tie Siding - 1915

Tie Siding is an unincorporated community in southeastern Wyoming. Tie Siding was strategically placed to service the expansion of rail systems in the West. Check out the automobile, dirt road and log cabins.

8. Thermopolis - 1918

Thermopolis is known as the "Hot City" because of the numerous natural hot springs found there. The springs are free to the public because of a treaty signed in 1896 with the Shoshone and Arapaho tribes. Check out this picture of a very sparse Thermopolis.

9. Thermopolis - 1920

Here's a picture of the Teepee Fountain in Hot Springs State Park in 1920.

10. Green River - 1919

Green River was incorporated in 1868. This is the area that John Wesley Powell embarked on his famous expeditions. Pictured is a panoramic view of the town as a baseball game is being played with a steam engine running through the town.

11. Douglas - 1920

Douglas has been around since 1867 when Fort Fetterman was built. The town then was known as the "Tent City." Douglas, named after the senator, served as a supply point, warehousing hub and a retail center for cattle ranchers, railway crews, cowboys and troops of the U.S. Army. Douglas is home to the World War II Interment Camp.

12. Lovell - 1920

The town of Lovell is located in Northern Wyoming and was named after a local rancher. Pictured is a parade of vehicles from the Civilian Conservation Corps Camp BR-7 in Lovell. Also in 1925, the EJZ Bridge over the Shoshone River was built. Lovell went from a population of 700 in 1910 to around 2400 in 2015.

For more photos of Wyoming, check out these 18 Rare Photos Taken In Wyoming During The Great Depression.