Historic Governors' MansionWalking Tour |
Walking Tour of the Historic Governors' Mansion Neighborhood. Published by the Wyoming Department of State Parks and Cultural Resources.
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2121—2103 EVANS AVENUE
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*To enjoy all of the Keefe Cottages, walk along this
side of Evans Avenue north toward 22nd Street.
Designed by J.P. Julien and built by M.P. Keefe, all
of these homes were built between 1890 and 1894.
J.P. Julien arrived in Cheyenne in 1867 and was the
first architect in town. He designed the First
Methodist Church in downtown Cheyenne. His most
notable design was the gallows first used in the Tom
Horn hanging and in hangings at the Rawlins Penitentiary. They were designed so that "no person or
'hangman' might feel responsible for the death of a
fellow man."
An Irish immigrant, M.P. Keefe arrived in Cheyenne
in 1876 and began to influence the community
through politics and leave his mark through
buildings. He built the Knights of Pythias building,
St. Mary's Catholic Church, the Idelman Mansion
(now Schrader's Funeral home) and the Majestic
Building. He also served as mayor for the city from
1903-1904. Local legend states that he built these
homes for his seven daughters and most likely used
brick from his own factory here in Cheyenne.
*Walk back
south to the
corner of 21st
Street and head
towards the
Mansion
Cheyenne Daily Leader,
July 1, 1890, Page 6
WYOMING STATE PARKS, HISTORIC SITES & TRAILS
Around the Block
Walking Tour of the
Historic
Governors’
Mansion
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4
9
1
Neighborhood
Now that you’ve explored the inside of the
Historic Governors’ Mansion, let’s walk
through the neighborhood and see what it
looked like 100 years ago and learn about the
people who lived here.
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3
7
5
11
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6
NO
11
301 EAST 21st STREET
*Stop in front of the Historic Governors’ Mansion
and turn south to look across the street
In 1904 there were three houses across the street
from the Mansion. All of them were bought by Irene
Eaton in 1938 and torn down and replaced by this
apartment complex. Ms. Eaton then sold the building
in early 1940.
Historic Governors’ Mansion State Historic Site is
administered by the Division of State Parks, Historic
Sties & Trails, Wyoming Department of State Parks and
Cultural Resources. http://wyoparks.state.wy.us
PLEASE BE RESPECTFUL AND CAREFUL
Follow the squirrel tracks on your map and directions inside to each site. Match the
number on the map to the same number next to its description. While exploring the
neighborhood, please remain on the sidewalk and do not walk on other people’s
property. Please do not take photos of these houses - people still live in them! Some
of the sidewalks are uneven and cracked due to large tree roots growing, so please
be careful.
Most importantly—HAVE FUN!
H
RT
HISTORY OF NEIGHBORHOOD 1
AND MANSION
When the Historic Governors’ Mansion was built in
1904, several houses in this neighborhood were
already here. This location was chosen because Wyoming citizens wanted the governor to be easily accessible to the people he represented.
Many houses in this neighborhood have been
preserved and brought back to their original
appearance. Thanks to the efforts of concerned and
active citizens, the houses around the Mansion have
been saved for you to see today and for future
generations to enjoy and explore.
The Historic Governors’ Mansion sits in the Historic
Rainsford District, named after George Rainsford.
Mr. Rainsford was an architect who came to
Cheyenne from New York to try horse ranching. He
also designed homes for his friends, some of which
are in this neighborhood. The houses in this neighborhood all share tree-lined streets, shaded sidewalks, and large front yards.
2115—2121 HOUSE AVENUE
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These homes may have been moved from nearby Fort
D.A. Russell (now F.E. Warren Air Force Base) to
this location between 1890 and 1894. Andrew E.
Roedel bought the properties in 1899 and they
remained in the family as rental units until the late
1970s. A pharmacist by trade, Mr. Roedel and his
family also started the Roedel Drug Store, which
operated from 1899 to 2007. The Mansion has
always had these houses as neighbors.
*From this location, continue to the corner of House
Ave and 22nd Street; stop and look both ways to cross
House Avenue to the west
c. 1960 — Courtesy of Wyoming State Archives,
Department of State Parks and Cultural Resources
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URBAN NATURE
As you walk along this block enjoy the urban nature
around you. Listen for the crows and pigeons; watch
for the squirrels. Listen for the church bells and the
train whistle, too!
Yards or gardens in 1905 would have been similar to
what you see today, though probably not as developed.
As people moved here from the east, women brought
seeds from their gardens with them to plant here. The
stronger ones survived and blended with the natural
flowers of the plains.
The Cottonwood tree is Wyoming’s State Tree and is
very abundant around town. The Plains Cottonwood
can grow between 60 and 100 feet tall with a five or six
foot diameter trunk and can live up to 100 years!
Cottonwoods like a lot of water and are found mostly
near rivers and streams, but if these trees are started in
dry soil, they can live in this climate very well. They
were popular to plant when Cheyenne was developing
because Cottonwoods grew so quickly.
*Stop at the corner of Warren Avenue and 22nd Street
Courtesy of Wyoming State Archives,
Department of State Parks and Cultural Resources
CITY PARK
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Look towards the brown State Museum sign and the
block to the west. Both blocks were once the Cheyenne
City Park and originally had criss-crossing sidewalks.
Many governors, including Nellie Tayloe Ross, walked
through this park on their way to and from work. The
Park was a place for residents to enjoy and featured a
bandstand, picnic areas, and flower gardens. Today the
Supreme Court Building and the Barrett Building
occupy these two blocks. But for 50 years it was a
splendid place for citizens to enjoy the sunshine.
*Stay on this side of Warren Avenue and head south.
2114 WARREN AVENUE 5
This house was built around 1890,
the same year Wyoming became a
state. Esther Hobart Morris, the
first female Justice of the Peace,
lived here from 1890 to 1902. A
few years later, William Dubois, a
prominent architect, moved in.
Today it is a restaurant, the
Morris House Bistro.
*Continue south to the corner
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221 EAST 21st STREET
This house was built in 1892 for the Treacy Family
by George East, a local architect, for $3,000. Mr.
Treacy was a blacksmith with the Union Pacific
Railroad. Around 1900 most of this neighborhood
contained houses of this size. Today it is a law office.
*Continue east by crossing House Avenue; look both
ways first. Walk past the Historic Governors’
Mansion and stop in front of the house next to it
Courtesy of www.maidenwyoming.net
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2102 WARREN AVENUE
This house was built around 1888. It was designed by
George Rainsford for Mr. and Mrs. A.J. Parshall. Mr.
Parshall was a hydrographer for the U.S. Geological
Survey. He discovered and investigated the water
system that brings water to Cheyenne. Mr. Parshall died
in this house in 1919 when he was 70. Today it is
owned by St. Mary’s Catholic Church.
*Turn and head east along 21st Street; stop at the
corner of House Avenue and 21st Street
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222 EAST 21st STREET
This house was built in 1922 by architect William
Dubois for Mr. and Mrs. Bond. Mr. Bond served as
secretary for Governor’s DeForest Richards and
Fenimore Chatterton. In 1907, Mr. Bond was appointed
by President Theodore Roosevelt as consul to Arabia
and later to India. When Mr. and Mrs. Bond were ready
to settle in Cheyenne,
they had this house built
to look like the houses in
the Middle East that they
liked. Today it is a law
office.
*Turn around and look
south across the street
314 EAST 21st SREET
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Dr. William W. Crook moved to Cheyenne in 1875
and became the first doctor in town. He built this
house in 1885. Crook leased the house to William A.
Richards in 1890 who lived there for 10 years. The
last 5 years, when Richards was Governor, this house
was the official governor’s residence. In 1907, P.S.
Cook bought the house and he and his family moved
in. His son, Dave, and Governor Brooks' son, Silas,
became close friends. The house was restored in 1974
to the current condition seen today.
*Walk to the corner of 21st Street and Evans Avenue
Courtesy of Wyoming State Archives,
Department of State Parks and Cultural Resources