All posts by gliffen

The First University of Wyoming President: John Hoyt

University of Wyoming History
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The First University of Wyoming President, John Hoyt.

John W. Hoyt, former Wyoming Territorial governor, became the first president of the newly established University of Wyoming in Laramie in 1886. During his three years as president, President Hoyt oversaw the construction of Old Main and designed a liberal arts-centered curriculum.

He also helped to reinforce Wyoming’s reputation as the “Equality State” when he appointed female professors who made their mark at the University of Wyoming,  including Grace Raymond Hebard, June Etta Downey and Agnes Wergeland.

Learn more about President John W. Hoyt and the University of Wyoming. 

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University of Wyoming College of Agriculture

University of Wyoming History

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In 1907, the Wyoming State Legislature officially transferred the former Wyoming Territorial State Prison property to the University of Wyoming’s College of Agriculture so it could serve as an experimental stock farm. Five thousand dollars was also allocated to repair and equip the farm. Steel cells in the south wing were replaced with a wood scouring plant and the north wing cells were converted into a modern cattle barn.

The stock farm was used to teach university students and livestock producers from Wyoming and surrounding states about beef, sheep, sheep shearing and wool. The farm also maintained dairy cattle, pigs and poultry at various times and had facilities for staff and students.

The University ended operations at the farm in 1989. It is now a state historic site and was restored as the Wyoming Territorial Prison. First operated by a private corporation, Wyoming State Parks, Historic Sites and Trails assumed control in 2004 and currently operate the facility as the Wyoming Territorial Prison State Historic Site.

Learn more about the 1907 University of Wyoming College of Agriculture and the Wyoming Territorial Prison State Historic Site.

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University of Wyoming College of Agriculture

University of Wyoming History

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In 1907, the Wyoming State Legislature officially transferred the former Wyoming Territorial State Prison property to the University of Wyoming’s College of Agriculture so it could serve as an experimental stock farm. Five thousand dollars was also allocated to repair and equip the farm. Steel cells in the south wing were replaced with a wood scouring plant and the north wing cells were converted into a modern cattle barn.

The stock farm was used to teach university students and livestock producers from Wyoming and surrounding states about beef, sheep, sheep shearing and wool. The farm also maintained dairy cattle, pigs and poultry at various times and had facilities for staff and students.

The University ended operations at the farm in 1989. It is now a state historic site and was restored as the Wyoming Territorial Prison. First operated by a private corporation, Wyoming State Parks, Historic Sites and Trails assumed control in 2004 and currently operate the facility as the Wyoming Territorial Prison State Historic Site.

Learn more about the 1907 University of Wyoming College of Agriculture and the Wyoming Territorial Prison State Historic Site. 

Resources

Fire Destroys Ice House

Laramie Fires

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Ice plants, such as this one in Laramie,  were essential to keeping produce fresh as it traveled from farms to its destination. 

A PFE icing plant was located near the railroad tracks north of Laramie. At one time, it was the largest natural ice housing facility in the world.

It was purchased by a Fort Sanders soldier named Knadler in the 1860s. The Union Pacific Railroad bought him out and built a bigger plant, which burned down and was replaced with a much larger ice plant uptown. A huge ice house was built over the years for the ease of handling the ice and moving it on and off trains. It was abandoned in the early 1960s and burned to the ground in 2009.

Learn more about the history of the Ice House. 

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Laramie Ice Houses

History of Laramie Commerce

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Ice plants were essential to keep produce fresh as it traveled through the county. Many were built in Laramie.

The Ice House in Laramie began down by the river and was bought by Knadler, a Fort Sanders soldier. The Union Pacific Railroad bought him out and built a bigger plant, which burned down and was replaced with a much larger ice plant uptown. A huge ice house was built over the years for the ease of handling the ice and moving it on and off trains.

After the Ice House closed, the town used this space for many activities.

The above left photo depicts the setup iniside the large building where trains could drive up beside the plant and new ice was pushed from its readied position into each car.  The picture on the right depicts men cutting ice from the river and floating it down to the Ice House location.

Learn more about the history of the Laramie Ice Houses.

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Cement Plants in Laramie

History of Laramie Commerce

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In 1889, the Consolidated Plaster Company of Laramie took advantage of the abundance of nearby gypsum to manufacture stucco and plaster of Paris. Ten years later, the company began making cement plaster. This company was succeeded by Acme Cement Works and continues today as the Mountain Cement Company.

In 1898, Omaha hosted the Trans-Mississippi & Industrial Exposition, which showcased the development of the Trans-Mississippi West. Buildings were sponsored by many states, including Georgia and New York. There were more than 4,000 separate exhibits and more than 2,600,000 people in attendance at the exhibition, including President McKinley and Wm. F. Cody.

The head of the mining exhibition complained in his report about the disinterest from Wyoming and Montana. Nevertheless, Acme Cement and Plaster of Laramie, Wyoming won a gold medal.

Learn more about the Laramie cement plants. 

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