Wyoming history starts with the founding of the state on July 10, 1890. Wyoming was originally the home of many Native American tribes, the largest of which was the Sioux Tribe. Wyoming state history begins with the French, who populated the area making money as trappers who entered the state in the 1700's. The first white American to enter Wyoming was John Colter, who was part of the Lewis and Clark Expedition in 1807. Although John Colter retrieved plenty of valuable information about the Wyoming Territory to report to the colonies, many of his accounts of wide-open space and fantastical animals were thought to be fictional.

The South Pass was a major thoroughfare travelers heading west in the mid-nineteenth century. Explorer Robert Stuart led a party of five explorers back from Astoria, Oregon, and discovered the South Pass around 1812, which became the most efficient way to cross through the mountains in Wyoming. Later, in 1850, Jim Bridger located what is now known as Bridger Pass. Wyoming State history states that the Union Pacific Railroad began using the pass in 1868 as it continued its expansion westward.

The history of Wyoming has also been one of liberalism, a surprise to many travelers who visit the state. Nearly 50 years before women had the vote nation-wide, they were given the vote state-wide in Wyoming. Wyoming continues to be the most sparsely populated state within the United States and for this reason remains one of the best places to go for fishing, camping, hiking and hunting.

Wyoming Map

Much of this wide-open space is due to the fact that the greatest portion of Yellowstone National Park is found within the state of Wyoming and is a federally protected park. Wildlife roams freely in this park as it has throughout the history of Wyoming, making this one of the last great places to enjoy animals in their natural, undisturbed habitat. Today, many Yellowstone tours are available with adventures of the wild or a simple day trip with picnicing.

Wyoming state history goes on to reflect some incidents of social change and disruption. In 1885, the Rock Springs Riot occurred when white miners raged against immigrant Chinese miners, most prominently through racially motivated attacks. By the end of the riot, 28 Chinese miners were dead and more than a dozen had been wounded. Thousands of dollars of property had been damaged. This was one of the worst events in Wyoming State history and one of the most violent.

The history of Wyoming also reflects Wyoming as the resting place of Colonel William Buffalo Bill Cody. According to the history of Wyoming lore, In 1917 Buffalo Bill passed away while in Denver visiting his sister. Buffalo Bill's second wife said that he wished to be buried on Lookout Mountain, and made it so, despite the protests of his many fans that insisted he would want to be buried in the town of Cody. Wyoming history is varied and exciting with cowboys and Indians, massive parks and equality for all. The facts about Wyoming history are just as interesting as the views and popular attractions.