In Wyoming, where many towns grew up along the Union Pacific Railroad in the late 19th century, and it is still common to find an active railroad depot near downtown and century-old buildings that reflect the spirit of the Wild West. Take Evanston, where traces of its railroad heritage remain visible in the restored Union Pacific Train Depot and in the town’s mix of frame and brick buildings, giving it an enduring sense of continuity. The eight Wyoming communities on this list invite visitors to step into places where history is on full display.
Precisely set at the base of the Bighorn Mountains in north-central Wyoming’s Johnson County, Buffalo took shape in the late 19th century with the establishment of Fort McKinney for the protection of miners and white travelers along the Bozeman Trail. Over time, the town became linked to one of the region’s most well-known frontier conflicts, the 1892 Johnson County Cattle War, with the final battle site located about 13 miles south. Today, the first stop for all tourists in this town is the Occidental Hotel on Main Street. Also called ‘The OX,’ the 1880 Occidental Hotel is Buffalo’s most renowned landmark hotel and still carries its original interiors, a 1908 historic saloon, the Virginian Restaurant, and the Busy Bee Breakfast Café.
Ever since it was founded, the Occidental has attracted the likes of President Teddy Roosevelt, outlaws Buffalo Bill Cody, Calamity Jane, Butch Cassidy, and Sundance Kid, cattle detective Tom Horn, and frontier sheriffs Frank Canton and ‘Red’ Angus. Additionally, the 1909 Jim Gatchell Memorial Museum showcases a wide variety of Native American artifacts, household items, frontier weapons, ranching gear, and wagons, in addition to dioramas focusing on historic events along the Bozeman Trail.