First Businesses in Wyoming: Territory to Statehood

When Wyoming was carved out as a U.S. territory in 1868, it was a land of promise and potential. With a sparse population, rugged terrain, and a pioneering spirit, the businesses that took root in early Wyoming laid the foundation for what would become one of America’s most unique and independent states.

This post explores the first businesses in Wyoming Territory and how they evolved after statehood in 1890. From trading posts and saloons to newspapers and ranches, the early economy tells a story of survival, opportunity, and grit.

Wyoming Territory: Business Born on the Frontier (1868–1890)

Before Wyoming achieved statehood, it existed as the Wyoming Territory, formed from parts of Dakota, Utah, and Idaho territories. The businesses that flourished in these early days were not tech startups or factories — they were practical, essential, and driven by survival.

1. Trading Posts and General Stores

Long before there were grocery chains or Walmarts, Wyoming’s economy was supported by frontier trading posts. These general stores served homesteaders, miners, soldiers, and Native Americans alike.

Notable example:
Fort Laramie Trading Post, established in the 1830s but thriving during the territorial period, was a central economic hub. By the 1860s–70s, Fort Laramie also served the military and pioneers heading west on the Oregon Trail.

What they sold:

• Tools and supplies
• Dry goods and flour
• Ammunition and rifles
• Animal feed
• Clothing

These stores often acted as de facto banks, post offices, and social centers.

2. Railroad and Construction Enterprises

The Union Pacific Railroad transformed Wyoming. As the tracks reached Cheyenne in 1867, businesses exploded around the rail lines.

Major employers and contractors:

• Union Pacific Railroad Company
• Chinese labor contractors
• Local suppliers of timber and stone

Entire towns like Rawlins, Laramie, and Cheyenne were born as business hubs tied to the railroad’s expansion.

3. Saloons, Hotels, and Lodging Houses

With miners, cowboys, and railroad workers flooding into the territory, lodging and entertainment were in high demand.

Famous early saloons:

• The Cheyenne Club (1876), a private club for wealthy cattle barons
• Bucket of Blood Saloon (a common name in many towns, including Laramie and Carbon)

These businesses weren’t just for drinks, they often served meals, provided gambling tables, and acted as informal community centers.

4. Newspapers and Publishing

Early Wyoming towns wasted no time in establishing local presses. Newspapers spread the word about politics, gold strikes, cattle drives, and territorial laws.

Notable papers:

• The Cheyenne Leader (first issue in 1867)
• The Laramie Sentinel (founded in 1868)
• Wyoming State Tribune (established 1894)

Publishing was both a business and a political tool, often shaping public opinion on statehood and territorial governance.

5. Cattle Ranching and Agriculture

With vast open ranges and minimal government oversight, Wyoming was ideal for cattle operations.

Key facts:

• The Wyoming Stock Growers Association was founded in 1872.
• Some of the earliest ranches, such as the Swan Land and Cattle Company (est. 1883), became corporate giants.
• Brands and fences were loosely regulated, leading to disputes and range wars.

These businesses formed the backbone of the Wyoming economy and continue to influence the state today.

Wyoming Statehood in 1890: Transition and Expansion

When Wyoming became the 44th state on July 10, 1890, it brought more structure to business regulation, property rights, and economic expansion.

6. Banks and Financial Institutions

Statehood gave rise to more formal financial businesses.

Example:

• First National Bank of Cheyenne was chartered in the 1870s and expanded after 1890.
• Banks helped fund ranch expansion, mining equipment, and civic projects.

7. Law Firms and Legal Services

With statehood came courts, regulations, and land disputes. Legal professionals saw an immediate opportunity.

Law firms began offering services in:

• Land deeds and homesteading claims
• Business incorporation
• Mineral rights
• Criminal and civil defense

8. Mining and Resource Extraction Companies

While mining had existed in the territory, statehood spurred more organized mineral rights leasing and regulation.

Key resources:

• Coal (especially in Carbon County)
• Oil (emerging in the late 1890s)
• Copper and iron

These industries attracted major investment from eastern companies and foreign investors.

9. Farming Cooperatives and Mercantile Groups

To support small farmers and ranchers, Wyoming saw the creation of cooperatives and farm supply chains.

Examples:

• Wyoming Farmers’ Alliance
• Seed and equipment suppliers set up offices in towns like Casper and Sheridan.

These efforts helped stabilize food supply and local economies.

10. Women-Owned Businesses

Wyoming was the first territory and state to give women the right to vote, starting in 1869. With that spirit of equality, women also began founding and operating businesses.

Examples include:

• Boarding houses
• Millineries and clothing shops
• Salons and cafes

One of the earliest known women business owners in Wyoming was Esther Hobart Morris, who was also the nation’s first female justice of the peace.

The Spirit of Enterprise in Early Wyoming

Wyoming’s first businesses were raw, rugged, and resilient — just like the people who ran them. Whether it was a dusty general store in South Pass City or a cattle ranch spanning 100,000 acres, these businesses reflect the birth of commerce in the Cowboy State.

Their influence can still be seen in the rail lines, ranch fences, and historic main streets of towns across the state.

Conclusion

The earliest businesses in Wyoming were more than economic ventures — they were lifelines for frontier communities. These pioneers of commerce laid the foundation for the modern Wyoming economy, from ranching and railroads to banking and law. As Wyoming evolved from a rugged territory to a proud state, its early businesses helped shape its independent identity and resilient spirit.