In 1890, Congress and President Harrison officially annexed Wyoming into the Union as the 44th state. Nicknamed the Equality State, Wyoming has gained national renown for being the first state to grant its female citizens the right to vote; however, Wyoming’s rich history began long before its establishment as a member of the United States. In this edition of The StickerTalk, we invite you to lace up your hiking boots and join us on an expedition into Wyoming’s natural wonders.
A land famous for its breathtaking natural beauty, Wyoming is the home of America’s first national monument, Devils Tower National Monument. Native American legend claims the distinctive marks down the sides of Devils Tower were caused by bears attempting to scale the butte. When President Theodore Roosevelt signed the proclamation that established this unique landmark as a national monument, he forgot to add a possessive apostrophe to the name, making the official name “Devils Tower” instead of “Devil’s Tower” as intended. This typo has yet to be corrected.
Perhaps the most famous animal in Wyoming is Steamboat, a bronco that bucked his way into the state’s history books. Named for the whistling noise he made while bucking, Steamboat was born in Wyoming in 1896. For the remainder of his life, Steamboat was called “the horse that couldn’t be ridden,” throwing even the best bronco busters who attempted to break him. To honor his contributions to Wyoming’s culture, Steamboat is pictured on state license plates and on Wyoming’s commemorative quarter.
Nature has also provided the workforce of Wyoming with a steady source of job security: coal mines. Wyoming’s first coal mine was opened in 1867 near the town of Carbon. Near the end of the 20th century, Wyoming led the nation in coal production, producing a staggering three million tons per week! Today, the largest coal mine in America is the Black Thunder mine on the outskirts of Wright, Wyoming.
Considered to be a myth by skeptics, the jackalope hails from the city of Douglas, Wyoming. A cross between an extinct species of deer and a predatory rabbit, the jackalope sports a pair of antelope-like antlers and is rumored to run at incredible speeds up to ninety miles an hour. Cowboys of the Old West also claimed the jackalope possesses the ability to imitate human voices and enjoyed engaging in their campfire sing-alongs on the open range.
Sources:
- https://www.legendsofamerica.com/wy-jackalope/
- http://www.wyo.gov/about-wyoming/wyoming-history
- https://kingfm.com/the-five-most-famous-horses-in-wyoming-history/
- https://www.legendsofamerica.com/wy-facts/2/
- https://www.50states.com/facts/wyoming.htm
- http://www.softschools.com/facts/us_geography/devils_tower_facts/2353/
- https://www.blackhillsbadlands.com/blog/2010-01-22/10-facts-about-devils-tower-you-need-know
