Downtown Cheyenne Historic District

The Downtown Cheyenne Historic District spans seven blocks and contains the first permanent masonry structures built in the late 1800s. The buildings vary in design and function, with many multistory structures whose ground floors once housed shops and offices while upper levels provided apartments or workspaces.

The district emerged in 1867 when James R. Whitehead opened the Union Pacific Land Office, establishing the original commercial center of Cheyenne. Most of the stone buildings were constructed between 1872 and 1920, marking the rapid transformation from a tent encampment to Wyoming's state capital.

The buildings show a mix of Victorian commercial structures, boarding houses, and railroad facilities that shaped how people lived and worked in early Cheyenne. Walking through these streets, you can see how different trades and professions used these spaces in their daily lives.

The district is easy to explore on foot and remains open year-round for independent wandering. You can walk around anytime and view the facades and architecture from the outside, with some buildings containing retail or restaurants that allow you closer access to the interiors.

Many buildings date from the brief period between 1872 and 1920, capturing an unusually cohesive snapshot of frontier-era construction. This concentrated timeframe means you see a remarkable array of architectural choices all born from the same moment of rapid expansion.