In 1887, the Union Pacific Railroad paved itself through the tent town of Cheyenne, Wyoming causing a historical whirlwind of economic and population growth. Had it not been for the railroad, the city probably would not be what it is today. Cheyenne lives up to the rough and rowdy Wild West stories of cowboys and Indians, gunslingers and saloons, and the ever famous rodeos. To this day, people marvel at the 19th century, western flavored architecture seen in theCheyenne Depot station and surrounding downtown.
The Depot no longer operates passenger trains, but the community has fought to preserve their gathering place. The Depot has undergone renovations to modernize the building and preserve its structure. Today much of its original construction is visible today. Its' beautiful architecture is known for its “Richardsonian Romanesque style in the West, designed by one of America’s most distinguished architects at a pivotal point in his practice.”. The marble floor in the grand lobby, the baggage arch, the benches, and the all the rooms are original to the building. All except one square tile of the ceilings have been repainted.The single tile was not repainted so travelers might take a glimpse at the same artwork travelers saw over 100 years ago. |
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The Depot served as a place for passengers to get on and off the train, purchase tickets, and hold social gatherings. Now the depot encompasses the historical building, along with land that once was the location of dirt roads and store fronts. The lower half of the depot has been turned into a museum. The grand lobby serves as a popular tourist attraction and venue for private events and gatherings. The city has turned the outside land into a paved, outdoor community gathering place. When the depot hosts events, benches and tables fill the space with seats for excited Cheyenne residents and travelers alike to enjoy. Food vendors and craft tables are housed under tents and the cement stage is warmed with the sound of live music. Two large metal arches reading “The Cheyenne Depot” mark the entrance to the plaza. A map made of stone, the size of a small car, stands at the main entrance depicting the historical downtown Cheyenne streets. Resting at the entrance are two eight-foot-tall Cheyenne cowboy boots rest at the entrance. There are 19 other boots just like these scattered around the city. They are a popular backdrop for a photo.
Before moving on to the rest of the site, please watch this video to hear first hand from Cheyenne community members. They share their own reasons why The Depot has been, and is, an important part of Cheyenne community.