Category Archives: architectural history

Designing the University of Wyoming: Merica Hall

Welcome back to our series exploring the University of Wyoming’s building history. In these posts, we’re digging into the narratives behind UW’s most iconic structures. When UW opened for classes on September 12, 1887, no campus housing was available. Students … Continue reading

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Designing the University of Wyoming: Science Hall

As the University of Wyoming’s official archive, the American Heritage Center is continuing our series on UW’s building history. We’re here to share the interesting tales behind some of UW’s treasured structures. UW’s Geology Building is more than just a … Continue reading

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Welcome to the University of Wyoming’s Living Room

The Wyoming Union on the University of Wyoming opened on March 3, 1939, and soon became the “living room of campus,” as described on the Union’s website. The university had expanded greatly since its inception in 1886 with a much … Continue reading

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A Room for the Year: The University of Wyoming’s Early Attempts to Provide Student Housing

When the University of Wyoming opened its doors to students on September 6, 1887, university officials had to consider housing for the students arriving from outside Laramie. Due to low enrollment and the fact that most students were from Laramie, … Continue reading

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Serving UW for 70 years: A Brief History of Wyoming Hall

After World War II, the University of Wyoming experienced tremendous growth across campus. Construction projects were a response to the rapid increase in student numbers, which was heavily influenced by the Servicemen’s Readjustment Act of 1944, or the G.I. Bill … Continue reading

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What to Know Before You Go: Visiting the American Heritage Center’s Loggia

Looking for an enjoyable spot to add to your must-visit list this summer? Here at the American Heritage Center, located in the Centennial Complex on the campus of the University of Wyoming, we have just the spot you are looking … Continue reading

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The Shopping Center of Tomorrow is History

From gardens of rhododendrons and azaleas to marijuana. That seems to be the case with the Northland Center located outside of Detroit. Designed by Victor Gruen, the Northland Shopping Center opened on March 22, 1954. Designed to accommodate a rapidly … Continue reading

Posted in architectural history, Architecture, Built environment, city and regional planning history, Demolition, Design, Post World War II, Retail history, Retail stores, Shopping centers, Suburbia, Uncategorized | Tagged , , , , , , , , , , , | 2 Comments

Butch Cassidy and Beyond: Inside Wyoming’s Historic Territorial Prison

As buildings sprung up in Laramie, the former “Hell on Wheels” town, a new imposing stone structure shadowed the landscape. With construction starting in 1872, the Territorial Prison opened its doors to inmates in January 1873, while construction still continued. … Continue reading

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Farewell to the Old Laramie High School

With an increasing student population in Laramie in the 1950s, the Albany County School District began efforts to construct a new high school to serve the growing needs of the community. In 1957, the architectural firm of Hitchcock & Hitchcock … Continue reading

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The Saga of Old Main’s Tower

In 1886, the skyline of Laramie became dominated by a massive stone structure, known today as Old Main on the University of Wyoming campus. The structure’s octagonal stone tower with a steeply pitched conical spire was a town landmark. But, over the years some of Old Main’s original architectural features were removed. The first to go was the stone tower. Continue reading

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