The 1906-1907 school year marked the beginning of the student-teaching program at the University School. The classroom was located on the second floor of Old Main.  It was known as “the primary room” and included grades one through three. In the early years, there were more preparatory students than college students enrolled and tuition costs covered nearly all of the overhead expenses of the school.

The University School is still around to this day educating many of Laramie’s local students.

Pictured here (left to right) are teachers Neva Nelson, Anne Reed, Ruth Adsit (the school’s first Principal), and Clara Prahl.

Learn more about the history of the University of Wyoming. 

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In 1899, officials from the Union Pacific Railroad invited geologists and paleontologists from universities, colleges, and museums around the country to participate in a scientific expedition to Wyoming, famous for being one of the richest fossil regions in the United States. The railroad offered them free transportation to Laramie and the chance to dig for fossils under the guidance of University of Wyoming Professor Wilbur Knight, the state’s geologist and curator of the Geological Museum.

The University of Wyoming identified fossils unearthed by members of the group, and the Union Pacific Railroad transported them to their home institutions free of charge.

Learn more about the 1899 Union Pacific Railroad Fossil Excursion. 

Affectionately referred to as “Doc” Knight, Samuel H. Knight succeeded his father as the second Wyoming State Geologist. Knight served as both the Wyoming State Geologist and head of the University of Wyoming’s Geological Museum exhibits. In the summer of 1923, he established Science Camp at the head of Long Canyon– a base for fieldwork for the study of geology, zoology and botany.

The camp became so successful that a cooperative arrangement between the geology departments of the University of Wyoming and Columbia University lasted for more than 30 years.

The camp was located 30 miles from Laramie in the Medicine Bow Mountains. From 1935 to 1937, the WPA and the Civilian Conservation Corps (CCC) aided with its construction.

Learn more about Samuel H. “Doc” Knight, the UW Geology Museum, Science Camp and the Civilian Conservation Corps.

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Much of the construction of the “Science Camp” buildings was completed by the Works Progress Administration (WPA) and the Civilian Conservation Corps (CCC) from 1935 to 1937.

Affectionately referred to as “Doc” Knight, Samuel H. Knight succeeded his father as the second Wyoming State Geologist. Knight served as both the Wyoming State Geologist and head of the University of Wyoming’s Geological Museum exhibits. In the summer of 1923, he established Science Camp at the head of Long Canyon– a base for fieldwork for the study of geology, zoology and botany.

The camp became so successful that a cooperative arrangement between the geology departments of the University of Wyoming and Columbia University lasted for more than 30 years.

The camp was located 30 miles from Laramie in the Medicine Bow Mountains. From 1935 to 1937, the WPA and the Civilian Conservation Corps (CCC) aided with its construction.

Learn more about Samuel H. “Doc” Knight and the UW Geology Museum, Science Camp and the Civilian Conservation Corps.

Additional Resources

In 1899, officials from the Union Pacific Railroad invited geologists and paleontologists from universities, colleges, and museums around the country to participate in a scientific expedition to Wyoming, famous for being one of the richest fossil regions in the United States. The railroad offered them free transportation to Laramie and the chance to dig for fossils under the guidance of University of Wyoming Professor Wilbur Knight, the state’s geologist and curator of the Geological Museum.

The University of Wyoming identified fossils unearthed by members of the group, and the Union Pacific Railroad transported them to their home institutions free of charge.

Learn more about the 1899 Union Pacific Railroad Fossil Excursion.

Additional Resources

Old Main, built in 1886, is the first and oldest remaining building on the University of Wyoming campus in Laramie, Wyoming.

The style of Old Main set a precedent for all future University buildings. The main stone used is rough-cut sandstone from a quarry east of Laramie, and the trim stone is smooth Potsdam Sandstone from a quarry near Rawlins, WY. Old Main was designed to be a monumental structure and to be a symmetrical building with a prominent central spire as its focal point. The building was also designed to reflect the character of Wyoming. The rough stone and smooth trim represented the progressing frontier.

Currently, Old Main houses university administration, including the President’s Office and the boardroom where the Trustees often meet.

Learn more about the history of the University of Wyoming. 

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In the early days of the University, faculty and students would gather in the auditorium in the Old Main building twice a week for a public meeting.

Each service was opened by a song from the college hymnal followed by announcements from members of the faculty. The University of Wyoming president would then take the opportunity to speak on a subject of general or moral interest to life at the University.

Learn more about the history of the University of Wyoming. 

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This map, published in the 1899-1900 University of Wyoming Catalogue, shows the relationship of the University to the rest of Laramie. For many years, the campus was truly on the outskirts of town, with Green Hill Cemetery to the northeast.

Learn more about the history of the University of Wyoming.

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The first dormitory on the University of Wyoming campus was originally called “Women’s Hall,” but was eventually renamed for University President Charles O. Merica.

Constructed in 1908, Merica Hall housed 25 girls, each of whom paid $20 per month for room and board. The building ceased to serve as a dormitory in 1943, but continued to provide office space for many years. In 1951, the building was converted into the domestic science department and has continued to serve as office space for other departments as well.

Learn more about the history of the University of Wyoming. 

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In the 1930s, University of Wyoming President Arthur Crane proposed the idea of creating a designated area within school property specifically for residences to house the University’s fraternities and sororities. Known as “Fraternity Park,” Crane believed that having the fraternities and sororities so close at hand would not only improve the living conditions of the students, but also bring them more closely within the influence of the university.

Wilbur Hitchcock designed the first sorority in the park – Pi Peta Phi — in 1930. The buildings had to comply with the look of other University of Wyoming buildings, including the exteriors, sidewalks and landscaping.

Learn more about the history of the University of Wyoming. 

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