Category Archives: Western history

The Mail Must Go Through!

A rider and his horse thunder into view over the desert horizon, barreling towards the way-station where water and a fresh horse await. As the rider leaps off his horse and onto another, his mail bag swinging from his hand, … Continue reading →

Posted in 19th century, American history, American West, Transportation history, Uncategorized, Western history, Wyoming history | Tagged , , , , , , | Leave a comment

Cheyenne Women of the Ku Klux Klan

In 1924 Denver residents Laurena H. Senter, Metta L. Gremmels, and Dr. Esther B. Hunt incorporated a chapter of the Women of the Ku Klux Klan in Colorado. Senter was a pillar of the Denver KKK community as well as … Continue reading →

Posted in Uncategorized, Western history, women's history, Wyoming history | Tagged , | 5 Comments

Amigos de la Comunidad of Torrington, Wyoming

In box 9 of the Lawrence Cardoso papers housed at the American Heritage Center is a booklet dating to the mid-1970s titled “Amigos de la Comunidad.” I was leafing through that particular box searching for something totally unrelated. But the … Continue reading →

Posted in Agricultural history, community collections, Immigration, Latin American history, Local history, Mexican-American history, Uncategorized, Under-documented communities, Western history, Wyoming history | Tagged , , , , , , | Leave a comment

Men of Mystery: Tom Horn, William A. Pinkerton, and Frank Canton

Tom Horn’s enduring reputation rests on the moment in 1903 when he was hanged in Cheyenne, Wyoming, for the murder of fourteen-year-old Willie Nickell. It was, in some ways, an ironic end, for Horn was not an “outlaw” like Jesse James … Continue reading →

Posted in Law Enforcement, outlaws, Uncategorized, Western history, Wyoming history | Tagged , , , , , , , , , , | 5 Comments

The Searchlight Club: Elevating Cheyenne’s African American Women

August 26 marks the date in 1920 when American women were enfranchised equally with their male counterparts. Nonetheless, African American women continued facing barriers to voting for decades, as well as negative stereotypes, harassment, and unequal access to jobs, housing, … Continue reading →

Posted in African American history, Uncategorized, Under-documented communities, Western history, Women -- suffrage, Wyoming, Wyoming history | Tagged , , , , , | 3 Comments

Sharpshooter Annie Oakley Aimed at the High Mark

“Aim at a high mark and you will hit it. No, not the first time, nor the second, and maybe not the third. But keep on aiming and keep on shooting, for only practice will make you perfect. Finally you’ll … Continue reading →

Posted in Hollywood history, Motion picture actors and actresses, popular culture, Uncategorized, Western history, women's history | Tagged , , , , , , | Leave a comment

Eyewitness to Racism: Andrew Bugas and the Rock Springs Massacre of 1885

Andrew Bugas (Andrej Bugos) was not quite 20 years old in 1885 when he arrived in Rock Springs to work in the Union Pacific’s coal mines. Born in Austria, he came to the United States in 1880 to join his … Continue reading →

Posted in American West, Chinese Americans, Coal industry, found in the archive, International relations, Labor disputes, Local history, mining history, Racism, Railroad History, Rock Springs Massacre, Uncategorized, Violence - history, Western history, Wyoming history | Tagged , , , , , , , , , , , , | Leave a comment

We Asked, You Answered: Documenting Life During The COVID-19 Pandemic

Why is the Diary of Anne Frank one of the most important works of literature of all time? How did this book influence how we remember World War II, the Nazi Regime, and the Holocaust? Although the Holocaust can be … Continue reading →

Posted in American Heritage Center, announcements, Collection donor, Coronavirus outbreak, COVID-19, Current events, Digital collections, Flu, medical history, Pandemics, Public health, Uncategorized, University of Wyoming, University of Wyoming history, Western history, Wyoming, Wyoming history | Tagged , , , , , | Leave a comment

Votes for Women – The 1920 Ratification Campaign

Grace Raymond Hebard and Carrie Chapman Catt On June 4, 1919, the Senate passed the 19th amendment to the United States Constitution. The amendment stated: “The right of citizens of the United States to vote shall not be denied or … Continue reading →

Posted in Local history, Politics, Suffrage -- United States, University of Wyoming, University of Wyoming history, Western history, western politics and leadership, Women -- suffrage, women's history, Wyoming, Wyoming history | Tagged , , , , , , , , , | Leave a comment

Back to the Future in Wyoming: Addressing 1980s Energy Boom Impacts in Evanston

“I’ve got to see it to believe it” was Evanston mayor Dennis Ottley’s first reaction when he heard about the Overthrust Industrial Association (OIA). A 1983 issue of the Christian Science Monitor, reported that Ottley was incredulous that an industry-backed … Continue reading →

Posted in Economic Geology, Economic History, energy resources, Local history, Natural resources, Western history, western politics and leadership, Wyoming, Wyoming history | Tagged , , , , , , , , , , , | Leave a comment