The history of Wyoming dates back to an early civilization that occupied the open plains 12,000 years ago. It was the home to several Native American tribes like the Arapaho, Shoshone, Cheyenne, and the Crow. While some of these tribes still live in Wyoming today, the state has become very diverse, hosting people from around the world. Here are some interesting facts about Wyoming you may not have heard about.
1. Wyoming was the First State to Grant Women the Right to Vote
Out of all 50 states in North America, Wyoming was the first to grant women the right to vote. It was also the first to allow women to hold public offices and even serve on juries, and it was named Equality State. Surprisingly, this was a problem for Wyoming when they applied to join the US. Congress denied their application following Wyoming’s stance to maintain and uphold women’s rights. The authorities representing the region insisted they would rather remain locked out of the Union than revoke their women’s right to vote.
2. At Least Half of the Cities in Wyoming Have a Population of Less than 500
There are 186 cities in Wyoming; at least 50% have a population of less than 500. It gets worse: statistics done by the World Population Review show that some cities in Wyoming, like Lost Springs and Fox Park, have a population of 4 and 5 people, respectively. This makes Wyoming one of the least populated states in the United States.
3. A Wyoming Governor Once Wore Shoes Made Out of Human Flesh
John Osborne, who was once a doctor before being elected as governor of Wyoming, wore shoes made out of human flesh. The shoes were made from the skin of a thief called George Parrot, aka Big Nose George. After engaging in several murders and robberies, Parrot was caught and executed by an angry mob.
Since no one reclaimed Parrot’s body, John took it home for medical study. He offered the victim’s brain to a surgeon called Thomas Maghee and his skull to Lillian Heath, who was a 15-year-old girl at the time. He then removed George Parrot’s skin and used it to make the shoes and bag he often wore.
4. There are Only Two Escalators in Wyoming
The residents of Wyoming can only access two escalators within the entire state. One is at the First Interstate Bank branch, and the other is at the Hilltop National Bank. Wyoming had a third escalator at the Cheyenne JCPenney building, but it was removed when JCPenney relocated to the Frontier Mall. The two available escalators operate in both directions.
5. There are Nuclear Silos in Wyoming
Built in the 1960s as a means of defense against the Soviet Union, nuclear silos were positioned in various states, including Wyoming. These missile silos are still in operation, and there are missileers working inside the underground bunkers.
In case of an attack, the missile carriers in Wyoming can launch the nukes after getting authorization from the current president. The presence of nuclear silos in Wyoming makes it a huge target should a war break because enemy forces would be keen on neutralizing or taking control of the weapons.
6. Wyoming has the Lowest Black Population in The United States
According to the World Population Review, the state of Wyoming has a black population of 11,306, making it the state with the least African Americans in the United States. It is followed by Montana, which has 12,007, and Vermont, with 12,936.
7. Women Can Now Legally Go Topless in Wyoming
As of 2019, a federal court ruling lifted the ban on women being topless in public in six states, one of them being Wyoming. The others are Utah, Oklahoma, Colorado, Kansas and New Mexico. This lawsuit was brought by two women who were advocating for the #freethenipple movement on social media. The pair stated that this move was a win in the fight against gender inequality.
8. A Town in Wyoming Was Sold for $900,000
In 2016, the town of Buford in Wyoming was sold to an unknown businessman for $900,000. The town, which had a population of 1 person, was sold by its sole resident to an unknown Vietnamese businessman. It measured 4 hectares and had a gas station, a home, and a convenience store. The town belonged to Don Sammons, who moved from LA to Buford in 1980. He bought the town a few years after his wife had passed on.
9. There is a Wyoming King Bed
When it comes to mattress sizes, most people are familiar with the California King Bed. However, there is also a Wyoming King. It measures 84 inches by 84 inches, making it 12 inches wider than the California King Bed. Still on mattress sizes, there’s also an Alaskan and Texas King.
10. Jackson in Wyoming Had an All-Female Government in 1920
In an era where sexism was at an all-time high, a group of women formed an all-female government in the town of Jackson, Wyoming. Known as the Petticoat rulers, the five women took over the position of mayor and town council members. The election of the Petticoat rulers brought more voters than the town had ever witnessed, and it was a landslide victory for the women.
11. Taco Tuesday Originated in Wyoming
Taco Tuesday is a tradition in the United States, where people prefer to eat tacos or Tex-Mex dishes on Tuesdays. However, many don’t know that this phrase originated from a Wyoming-based restaurant called Taco John’s. The restaurant started using this phrase in 1979. After it gained popularity, Taco John’s trademarked Taco Tuesday in 1989 to prevent other restaurants from using it.
12. The Tallest Building in Wyoming Only Has 12 Floors
At the University of Wyoming lies the White Hall, which is the tallest building in the state. It only has 12 floors, which stretches it 146 feet high. It was built in the 1900s.
