Devil’s Tower
Do you have a calendar on your desk with a joke or word of the day, an encouraging quote or verse, or perhaps an intriguing fact about one of your favorite topics? Did you know the Wyoming State Library’s Digital Collection Suite has a calendar exhibiting significant places in Wyoming’s history for each day of the year?
An ad for The Irma Hotel in Cody, Wyoming
For instance, on November 18, construction on the Irma Hotel in Cody, Wyoming, was completed by William “Buffalo Bill” Cody, who built the luxurious hotel and named it for his daughter, Irma. A clipping from the 1902 issue of the Laramie Boomerang recounts the grand opening and ball held in honor of the structure’s establishment.
WSL’s Places Calendar provides not only a wealth of information, but a valuable collection of primary sources, as well, making it a useful resource for students, parents, educators, or anyone with an interest in learning about Wyoming’s rich history and remarkable places.
Grant Highway marker
The Irma Hotel isn’t the only important Wyoming location listed for November 18th on the Places Calendar. The Grant Highway, now Highways 20 and 26, which extended from Chicago, Illinois, to Seaside, Oregon, was also mentioned by several Wyoming newspapers on this day in 1919. This highway was marked with the “Yellow Black Yellow” sign shown below and enabled travelers to drive near many Wyoming cities and town including Lusk, Douglas, Casper, and Riverton.
Find out which notable events happened on your birthday, your anniversary, or any day of the year, or make a daily habit of getting your daily dose of Wyoming history. Check out the Places Calendar by clicking on “Wyoming Places” in the WSL Digital Collection Suite on the WDL website. It’s a great place to learn more about Wyoming’s history and the numerous places of significance around our great state!