10 Things You Probably Didn’t Know About The State of Wyoming

Like any other state, Wyoming has a rich history. The people who lived here in times past, settlers in particular, were among some of the most innovative and creative people the world has ever seen.

Many people, even some of us who actually live here, don’t really know a lot about our state. So check out these ten things that the majority of people don’t know about the state of Wyoming.

1. We were the first state to let women vote (by 40 years).

Just about every Wyoming native knows that we were the first state to let women vote, but what many don’t know is that we actually gave women full voting rights 40 years before the passage of the 19th amendment (which allowed women to vote).

2. Our population didn’t grow as fast as Colorado because we didn’t have a major precious metal boom early in our history.

Something that many people don’t know is that Wyoming was actually traversed more often than Colorado during the Oregon trail era. Settlers skipped Colorado to avoid the Southern Rock Mountains, instead following the North Platte and Stweewater River through Wyoming.

Even though Wyoming was more commonly traversed, Colorado’s population exploded due to a silver rush in the mid-19th century. There was a small boom in South Pass, though it didn’t survive much more than a decade.

3. The South Pass Gold Rush was a flash in the pan (pun intended).

If you look up our state’s history the South Pass Gold Rush is considered to have been a major boon to our state’s economy, but as stated above it didn’t last. South Pass was widely publicized as having a lot of gold, but it didn’t have deposits large enough create a town that had the population to remain viable following the initial boom.

4. We’re one of only nine states to have an official state dinosaur (the Triceratops).

A reason that Wyoming is awesome is that we recognize how awesome dinosaurs were. To reflect this, we actually have a state dinosaur.

5. We’re the only state in the country with just one 4-year university.

Due to our small population, our state only has one 4-year university. Even Delaware, a state roughly 2% the size of Wyoming, has two 4-year universities.

6. In Rocky IV, Sylvester Stallone’s "Russian Cabin" was actually in Jackson Hole.

Remember that part in Rock IV where Stallone is training in Russia? That was actually shot in Jackson Hole Wyoming. You can even see Stallone jogging past Mormon Row (the old farmhouses) in the film.

7. Wyoming was the last state to raise the drinking age to 21.

Wyoming didn’t raise the drinking age to 21 until 1988. Before the feds "encouraged" the states to raise the drinking age Wyomingites were able to purchase liquor at the tender age of 19.

8. Devils Tower was the first national monument.

Devils Tower was declared a national monument in 1906 by Teddy Roosevelt, making it the first national monument in the United States.

9. J. C. Penny actually opened his first store in Wyoming.

Born in Hamilton, Missouri, James Cash Penny (the founder of J.C. Penny) actually opened his first store in Kemmerer, Wyoming. The first incarnation of the business was named Golden Rule, though the company ware re-incorporated in 1913 as J.C. Penny.

10. Wyoming is the largest producer of coal in the country.

Wyoming actually produces roughly 40% of the nation’s coal. Our state is also home to some of the largest and thickest coal seams (veins) in the country.

How many of these ten Wyoming facts did you know? Got any that you’d like to share? Tell us about it in the comments section below!