Transformation in Transportation, Industry and Politics:
Wyoming from 1890-1920
I. Railroad Entered Central Wyoming
a. Fremont, Elkhorn and Missouri Valley Railroad came into central Wyoming from Nebraska, 1885-88
b. Name later changed to Chicago and Northwestern Railroad
c. Railroad inspired founding of towns of Lusk, Douglas, Glenrock, Casper
d. Casper was first known as a "wool town"--center of sheep-raising in central Wyoming
II. Railroad Entered Northeastern Wyoming
a. Chicago, Burlington and Quincy built from South Dakota west into Wyoming, 1888-1891
b. railroad brought about founding of towns of Newcastle, coal-mining town of Cambria, Gillette
c. Sheridan area coal mines opened in late 19th century (towns of Kooi, Kleenburn, Monarch)
d. coal-mining in Sheridan County brought miners who included immigrants from eastern and southern Europe
III. Introduction of the Automobile
a. Elmer Lovejoy's "toy"--Wyoming's first car, 1898
b. motorized vehicles, almost non-existent in 1900, commonplace by 1920
c. internal combustion engine revolutionizes the oil industry
d. Casper becomes the "oil capital of the Rockies"
e. wagon roads, unsuitable for automobiles, become highways
f. transcontinental Lincoln Highway established across Wyoming
g. World War I: the first mechanized war with trucks, tanks, motorized vehicles
h. Wyoming Highway Department created to establish highway system in state (1917)
h. new transportation allows for greater tourism into Wyoming by 1920s
IV. The Air Age Comes to Wyoming
a. 1st airplane flight by Wright brothers, December, 1903
b. 1st airplane flight in Wyoming: 1911 in Gillette
c. airplanes appear in warfare, World War I; pilots return to U. S. and fly the mail
c. transcontinental airmail flies across southern Wyoming; pilots become popular heroes
d. 1st airplane passenger service across Wyoming (July, 1920, but 1st regular service in 1927)
e. United Airlines formed; sets up headquarters in Cheyenne
f. Elrey Jeppeson creates flight charts for navigation, Cheyenne (DIA terminal now named for him)
V. Scientific Agriculture, Reclamation Projects Transform the Ranch and Farm
a. "dry farming" techniques introduced in Wyoming by Dr. V. T. Cooke
b. reclamation projects attract hundreds to farming to irrigation projects at Riverton, Worland,
Powell, Wheatland, the Pathfinder and Alcova projects, among others)
c. University of Wyoming extension provides information to ranchers and farmers
d. federal land laws make it easier to homestead on dry land and in irrigation districts
e. end of World War I brings veterans into Wyoming for start farms on often marginal lands
VI. Merchandising Changes
a. J. C. Penney establishes chain store in Kemmerer (1902)
b. evolution of mass merchandising
VII. Politics in the Progressive Era
a. the Warren-Carey feud: Warren’s two-year term up in 1893 no one appointed due to legislative deadlock; Carey’s term up in 1895—both seats up in that year. Clark and Warren chosen.
b. Carey, a Republican, elected governor as a Democrat over Mullen in 1910
c. the "Progressives" in Wyoming and the "Warren machine"
d. John B. Kendrick, wealthy rancher as Democratic governor and senator
e. "the Grand Old Men of Wyoming Politics": Warren, Carey, Mondell, Kendrick
Names/Terms
Elmer Lovejoy
"the Great Race" (1903) 1st airplane flight in Wyoming (1911) irrigation projects
"Good Roads" associations transcontinental airmail Bureau of Reclamation
Lincoln Highway United Airlines headquarters Elrey Jeppeson
Henry Joy stewardess school, Cheyenne Francis E. Warren
Joseph M. Carey 1st air passenger service
"farm-to-market" roads World War I flying aces Frank Mondell
Carey-Warren feud Eddie Rickenbacker John B. Kendrick