Albany County, Wyoming is located in the southeastern corner of the state and is home to a population of nearly 37,000 people. It was formed in 1868 and named after Albany, New York. The county seat is Laramie, which is also the largest city in the county.
The first settlers of Albany County were Native Americans who lived in the region for centuries prior to European exploration. By 1820, fur traders and trappers had made their way into the area, followed by missionaries and settlers who established ranches and farms along the Laramie River.
In 1868, Albany County was officially organized as one of Wyoming’s original counties. During this time period, there was a large influx of homesteaders who established farms throughout the county. As more settlers moved into Albany County, towns began to form and develop along with churches and other businesses. By 1890 there were over 8,000 residents living in Albany County.
The economy of Albany County has been largely based on agriculture since its founding days. However, over time it has diversified to include energy production (oil & gas) as well as tourism thanks to its proximity to Yellowstone National Park which lies just outside its borders. The University of Wyoming is also located in Laramie which provides an educational opportunity for students from all over the world as well as a source of employment for many residents within the county.
Albany County is home to several unique attractions such as Curt Gowdy State Park which offers activities such as camping and hiking along with fishing opportunities on nearby reservoirs like Granite Reservoir or Vedauwoo Reservoirs for those looking for a more peaceful experience outside of town limits. There are also many historical sites within Albany County including Fort Sanders which was built during the Indian Wars era by US troops stationed at nearby Fort Laramie; Cheyenne Frontier Days which celebrates Wyoming’s cowboy culture each July; Medicine Bow National Forest; Snowy Range Ski Area; Vedauwoo Recreation Area; and numerous other attractions that make visiting this part of Wyoming worthwhile.
In addition to its natural beauty and outdoor recreational opportunities, Albany County also offers visitors a variety of cultural experiences such as art galleries featuring local artists; museums including one dedicated specifically to Native American history; live music venues showcasing local talent; theater performances at historic theaters like Wyo Theater or Gryphon Theater; plus numerous restaurants offering international cuisine from around the world – all making it an exciting destination no matter what your interests may be.
History of Albany County, Wyoming
Albany County, Wyoming is located in the southeastern corner of the state and is home to Laramie, its county seat. The county was created on December 16, 1868 and originally included much of what is now Carbon and Sweetwater counties. It was named after Albany, New York and is one of the original five counties in Wyoming.
The first settlers to arrive in Albany County were fur traders and mountain men who began trapping beaver in the early 1800s. By 1820, trappers had established several trading posts in the area which served as a hub for trade between Native American tribes living nearby.
In 1849, gold was discovered near the South Platte River in Colorado which brought an influx of prospectors to the region. Many of them passed through Albany County on their way to Colorado’s gold fields but some stayed behind to homestead or establish businesses in Laramie. After gold was discovered at South Pass in 1867 however, many more people moved into the area and Laramie quickly became a boom town.
The early history of Albany County is closely tied to its role as a transportation hub for travelers heading west along the Oregon Trail or south towards Denver or Santa Fe. By 1870, several stagecoach lines were operating out of Laramie and it became an important stop on the Union Pacific Railroad when it reached town just two years later.
In addition to its role as a transportation hub, Albany County’s economy also relied heavily upon agriculture during this period with many settlers establishing farms throughout the region. The University of Wyoming was founded in 1886 which helped spur economic growth by providing educational opportunities for local residents as well as drawing students from all over the country who would spend money while attending school there.
Throughout much of its history, Albany County has been known for its progressive attitude towards politics with many local residents advocating for social reform such as women’s suffrage which was granted statewide in 1890 after a long battle by local activists like Esther Morris who hailed from Laramie.
Today, Albany County remains an important part of Wyoming’s economy with tourism being one of its major industries due to its proximity to Yellowstone National Park and other popular tourist destinations like Grand Teton National Park. Agriculture continues to play an important role with many local farmers raising cattle or growing crops like alfalfa hay or wheat on their properties while ranching remains popular throughout much of rural Wyoming including parts of Albany County where it has been practiced since pioneers first arrived here over 150 years ago.
