The New International Encyclopædia/Cheyenne (Wyoming)

CHEYENNE, shī̇-ĕn′. The capital of Wyoming and county-seat of Laramie County, 106 miles north of Denver, Colo., on the Union Pacific, the Burlington and Missouri River, and the Cheyenne and Northern railroads (Map: Wyoming, G 5). It has a considerable trade in cattle and sheep, possesses large shops of the Union Pacific Railroad, and has lignite and iron mines in the vicinity. Among the prominent buildings are the State Capitol, the high school, Soldiers' and Sailors' Home, Carnegie Library, and the stone depot of the Union Pacific Railroad. The place was first settled in 1867, when the Union Pacific Railroad reached that point, and in 1869 was chosen as the Territorial capital of Wyoming. In the same year a large portion of the town was destroyed by fire. The government is administered under the charter of 1869, the year of incorporation, and provides for a mayor, chosen every two years, and a city council, elected by wards. The chief of police is appointed by the executive; the park and street commissioners are selected by the council; and all other administrative officials are named by the mayor, with the consent of the council. School officials are chosen by popular vote. Population, in 1890, 11,690; in 1900, 14,087.