Wyoming, The Equality State

by Sandra Merville Hart Wyoming’s nickname is the Equality State because women were first given the right to vote there. Wyoming’s name comes from an Algonquian word mecheweamiing. It means “on the great plain” or “at the big flats.” The early history of Wyoming Cheyenne, Crow, and Arapahoe are among the Native Americans who lived in Wyoming before American settlers ventured west. The 1803 Louisiana Purchase made most of Wyoming a part of the United States. After this, trading posts—like Ft. Laramie and Ft. Bridger—were set up by fur traders and trappers. Many pioneers traveled west on the Oregon Trail, the Mormon Trail, and the California Trail in the 1800s. Most chose not to build homes there because of the mountains and dry plains. Women given...

Read More

Montana, The Treasure State

by Sandra Merville Hart Montana’s nickname is The Treasure State for its rich mineral reserves, including the nation’s most valuable gemstone, sapphire. The early history of Montana The Louisiana Purchase of 1803 opened up Montana to explorers who drew maps of the land. Fur-trading companies traveled to Montana and built a trading post on the Bighorn River. Montana became the Montana Territory in 1864, which meant citizens elected their legislature. Discovery of gold Prospectors traveled to Montana at the discovery of gold in 1862.  Bannack City (originally Bannack) was the first boomtown established that same year. Miners and prospectors came at every rumor of gold. Quickly built towns prospered until all the gold had been mined. Most miners left boomtowns...

Read More

Yellowstone National Park

Yellowstone National Park may be the world’s most famous park, but it is definitely the oldest national park. It was established in 1872. 96% of the park is in Wyoming; the rest is in Idaho and Montana. Over 300 geysers and hot springs Yellowstone National Park is larger than Delaware and Rhode Island combined. Over 3,600,000 visitors come every year to see over 300 geysers and hot springs. In fact there are more geysers and hot springs in the park than anywhere else on earth. Old Faithful The most famous geyser is Old Faithful, which erupts at intervals of 60 to 110 minutes. The geyser reaches a height of 106 to 184 feet and the eruptions last from one and half minutes to five minutes. Have your camera ready to snap an impressive photo like the one from...

Read More