On October 13, 1869 J.A. Campbell, Territorial Governor of Wyoming recommended the establishment of a territorial library in a speech to the Wyoming Territorial Legislature:
[su_quote]I am informed by the secretary of the interior, that he has in his possession a number of volumes of “state papers,” and other public documents, which will be forwarded for the public library, in case the territory will pay for their transportation. I would recommend an appropriation for this purpose, and for the establishment of a territorial library.[/su_quote]
The Wyoming Territorial Library was established two years later. In 1890, it became the Wyoming State Library. The first Territorial Library was located in the Cheyenne Opera House at 17th and Capitol Avenue.