On this day in 1890, Wyoming became a state, and “her people are exceeding glad,” The Cheyenne Daily Sun reported the next day. You can explore the story of Wyoming statehood and delve into life in 1890 firsthand with resources from the Wyoming State Library in in our Digital Collection Suite and in GoWYLD.net.
First check out Wyoming Newspapers from 1889 and 1890 to see what the local chatter was in the run-up to statehood, as well as the headlines when it happened (“44: That’s Our Star and Don’t You Forget it“)
The handwritten bill jacket from the 1890 Territorial House Joint Resolution 1 pleading Wyoming’s case for statehood.
In Wyoming Legislation, in the 1890 State Session Laws from that year, is the Territorial House Joint Resolution No. 1 — a memorial asking that Wyoming be admitted to the Union. It testified, “Our people without regard to party affiliation are ready and eager to assume and bear the additional burdens of statehood, and to escape from the disadvantages of territorial vassalage.” Also take a look at State Senate Joint Resolution No. 1 on selecting the Equality State’s first two U.S. Senators.
On the Federal Documents side, the WSL provides Wyoming residents with Proquest Congressional, a comprehensive online resource for congressional publications. See the report on the bill that would grant Wyoming its statehood, as well as the bill itself. (Proquest Congressional available to Wyoming residents only — log in with your library card and PIN.)
Want to know what else was going on in 1890? Check out the Place and Time feature in Wyoming Places. Among other news, the New Castle (now Newcastle) and Vermillion (now gone) post offices were established, and the Daily Boomerang lamented the fact that the city of Laramie was not actually located in Laramie County.
Your local library can help you navigate these resources. Also, we have reference librarians here at the Wyoming State Library if you have questions. Contact us for assistance at statelibrary@wyo.gov or (307) 777-6333.