Historic Downtown

Treat yourself to a change of pace and return to a time when Western hospitality greeted you with pride and a warm handshake. We invite you to kick back in our newly revitalized downtown; shop at our unique specialty stores, dine at the best restaurants in the region or just stroll through the district and let your imagination take you back to the early days of the American West.  Downtown reflects much of Cheyenne’s colorful history.

In 1886, Cheyenne was considered the most important trade center along the transcontinental railroad line and was named the wealthiest little city in the world. Today, Historic Downtown Cheyenne is still the region’s top commercial center. With approximately $40 million in recent public and private investment in its revitalization, Downtown Cheyenne is the place to be! 

Whether strolling around the new Depot Square Plaza, visiting the newly renovated Historic Union Pacific Depot or utilizing the abundant parking in the new parking structure, downtown provides easy and enjoyable access to all of the things you love!
The Downtown Cheyenne Historic District encompasses an area of approximately seven blocks in the core of Cheyenne's earliest business district. Dating from the late 1800s, most of the buildings represent the first permanent masonry commercial structures in Cheyenne. The architecture is eclectic with a heavy emphasis on commercial Victorian construction. The Historic District primarily owes its significance to the fact it is the original core of Cheyenne's Central Business District (CBD). When James R. Whitehead opened up the Union Pacific Land Office on July 9, 1867, lots in the proposed district were among the first sold. The area quickly became the heart of commercial activity and has continued to play a significant role as part of the CBD. The district's historic buildings were constructed from 1872 until the late 1920s. Generally, this period represents Cheyenne's first half century growth, in which the tiny frontier "tent town" grew into a Territorial, then a State, Capitol City. The buildings in the Historic District represent a broad range of activities that took place during Cheyenne's first 50 or 60 years. The breweries, saloons, boarding houses, and the quick inexpensive eating establishments, often referred to as railroad houses, all played an important role in the growth and development of Cheyenne.

Photos from the Downtown Walking Tour Brochure
and text from http://wyoshpo.state.wy.us/cheyhd.htm
Listed on the National Register of Historic Places 12/22/78