Wyoming was first settled thousands of years ago by countless Native American tribes, but over the years it has changed dramatically. Pioneers forged their way west on the Emigrant Trails, and soon after, the railroad was laid. When the Transcontinental Railroad made its way through the Cowboy State, one gorgeous train station was built to show off Cheyenne. Today, it still stands tall in a humble city in wild Wyoming.
The gorgeous Cheyenne Union Pacific Depot one of the most iconic buildings in all of Wyoming.
The depot is the last of the grand 19th-century train depots along the Transcontinental Railroad. At the time of its opening, it was the most elegant station built by Union Pacific west of its headquarters in Council Bluffs, Iowa.
The trains that once rolled into this station were some of the nation's finest, and you can see many historic trains at the Depot Museum today.
Wyoming was a wild frontier, and the railroad helped settle cities like Cheyenne long before plane travel was commonplace. At the Depot Museum, you can see many examples of the finest trains of the time, and check out how they have all evolved.
No detail was spared in the construction of the Cheyenne Union Pacific Depot, and the lobby is as elegant as ever.
The Cheyenne Depot was built at just the right time. One year later, Wyoming had experienced a terrible winter and a huge cattle loss. If the Depot had not already been constructed, chances are it would have been delayed or canceled. Even if it had been built, it would have been a standard train depot, and far from the elegant station it is today.
The map on the marble floor of the depot lobby shows some of the Union Pacific destinations at the time.
Where would you have traveled? Would you have wanted to head back east and rejoin family, or continue west, to build a new life on the coast?
The depot has now been fully converted into a museum, so you can experience the railroad as it was in its heyday.
See how luggage was handled, what dining cars used to be, and photos from the earliest days of the Western railroad.
The fascinating model train here shows America's changing landscapes - be sure to check it out.
The transcontinental railroad was an impressive feat of engineering, and you'll gain a new appreciation for the project when you see the struggles it overcame.
After you've explored the Cheyenne Union Pacific Depot and Museum, walk over to the Accomplice Beer Company, a brewpub that's attached to the depot itself.
Accomplice moved into the historic space and converted it to a brewery and restaurant, so that more people would be drawn to this gorgeous landmark.
Sit down to talk about everything you've learned and reflect on our wild American history with some local brews.
You'll appreciate the landmark location so much more after exploring the Depot museum.
You can find the Cheyenne Union Pacific Depot and Accomplice Beer Co. at 121 W. 15th St. #300, Cheyenne, WY 82001.
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