Home to approximately 53,552 people (2005 estimate), Cheyenne is not only the state capital but is also home to a large military installation, F.E. Warren Air Force Base. Fort D.A. Russell, which predates the modern air force base, establishes the long standing military presence here. Cheyenne, which means "alien" or "people of foreign language," also has a strong transportation basis; the Union Pacific Railroad passes through town only ten blocks south of the state capitol, and a large oil refinery is located near Nationway east of downtown. Two major freeways, Interstate 25 (U.S. 87) and Interstate 80 (U.S. 30), directly serve Cheyenne, while a spur route (Interstate 180) enters the downtown area from the south via the U.S. 85/Central Avenue corridor. Several Wyoming state routes also serve the greater Cheyenne area, including Wyoming 212 (College Drive) around the perimeter, Wyoming 219 (Old Yellowstone Highway/Old U.S. 85-87), Wyoming 221 (Fox Farm Road), and Wyoming 225 (Otto Road/Old U.S. 30/Lincoln Highway).
Union Station/Rail Depot
This plaque, which is located at the frontier park adjacent to the railroad depot, shows the original intended outline of the city of Cheyenne as envisioned by General Greenville Dodge when the city was founded on July 4, 1869. Originally, the four square mile was conceived on a northwest to southeast orientation rather than a north-south/east-west orientation in order to maximize exposure to the sun in the cold winter months. With the growth of the city, the boundaries of Cheyenne have grown vastly beyond General Dodge's original boundaries. The colors on the map show the original historical districts: Downtown, Rainsford, Lakeview, and Capitol. Many older houses are located in these areas, some that date back to the turn of the 20th Century. Photo taken 09/06/05.
Wyoming 212 (College Drive) - South
Wyoming 212 forms a three-sided beltway around the northern, eastern, and southern edges of the Cheyenne urban area. On the eastern edge, Wyoming 212 follows College Drive. For a short distance between U.S. 30 (Lincolnway) and Interstate 80, Wyoming 212 is cosigned with Business Loop I-80. Here, southbound Wyoming 212/College Drive reaches the intersection with U.S. 30 and Business Loop I-80 east of Cheyenne. Photo taken 09/06/05.
This is a close-up of the trailblazer shields at the Lincolnway intersection on southbound Wyoming 212/College Drive. Note that Business Loop I-80 is signed as "To Interstate 80" on southbound Wyoming 212. Photo taken 09/06/05.
Business Loop I-25, Business U.S. 87, Wyoming 212 (College Drive) - South
After the intersection with Greeley Highway, southbound Business Loop I-25, Business U.S. 87, and Wyoming 212 follow College Drive west toward Interstate 25. Note the use of a trailblazer for Interstate 25 followed by a Wyoming 212 reassurance shield. Photo taken 09/06/05.
A traffic signal is located here at the intersection between College Drive and Walterscheid Street. Photo taken 09/06/05.
Some of these rural areas along Wyoming 212 are slated for future development as part of the anticipated development of the Cheyenne metropolitan area. Photo taken 09/06/05.
Westbound Wyoming 212 and southbound Business Loop I-25 and Business U.S. 87 travel toward Interstate 25. Photo taken 09/06/05.
A Wyoming 212 reassurance shield appears after the To Interstate 25 trailblazer. Photo taken 09/06/05.
College Drive crosses the Burlington Northern Santa Fe railroad tracks here. Photo taken 09/06/05.
Westbound Wyoming 212 and southbound Business Loop I-25 and Business U.S. 87 approaches Junction Interstate 25/U.S. 87, one-half mile. Note the use of an error Business Loop I-25 shield; it should be an Interstate 25 shield. Photo taken 09/06/05.
Westbound Wyoming 212 and southbound Business Loop I-25 and Business U.S. 87 reaches its junction with Interstate 25. This marks the southern terminus of all three routes. Photo taken 09/06/05.
Wyoming 215 - South
In Pine Bluffs, southbound Wyoming 215 (Albin Road) reaches Business Loop I-80 and Business U.S. 30. Photo taken 09/05/05.
Wyoming 221 (Fox Farm Road) - East
This is the first reassurance shield for Wyoming 221 along eastbound Fox Farm Road. Photo taken 09/06/05.
Fox Farm Road is a two-lane highway that connects South Greeley Highway with College Drive on an alignment parallel to Interstate 80. The road serves south Cheyenne. Photo taken 09/06/05.
Eastbound Wyoming 221/Fox Farm Road reaches a four-way stop at Morrie Street. Turn left to follow Morrie north to 5th Street, 9th Street, and Nationway north of Interstate 80. Photo taken 09/06/05.
Wyoming 221 (Fox Farm Road) - West
This is the view along westbound Wyoming 221/Fox Farm Road after Morrie Street. Photo taken 09/06/05.
Fox Farm Road is mostly a two-lane street with residential access and wide shoulders. Photo taken 09/06/05.
Westbound Wyoming 221/Fox Farm Road approaches U.S. 85 (and Business Loop I-25 and Business U.S. 87), South Greeley Highway/Central Avenue. Photo taken 09/06/05.
Wyoming 221 ends here at this traffic signal, where Fox Farm Road meets South Greeley Highway/Central Avenue. Photo taken 09/06/05.
Wyoming 225 (Otto Road/Old Lincoln Highway) - West
Otto Road is the old Lincoln Highway alignment that follows the Union Pacific Railroad for about ten miles between Interstate 25 and the Otto Road exit on Interstate 80. The entire route is two lanes. Follow Wyoming 225/Otto Road west to meet Interstate 80/U.S. 30 en route to Laramie. Photo taken 09/06/05.
This is the first reassurance shield for Wyoming 225 along westbound Otto Road. Photo taken 09/06/05.
Westbound Wyoming 225/Otto Road approaches Wyoming 222, Roundtop Road. Eventually, an interchange is being planned between Interstate 80 and Wyoming 222. Photo taken 09/06/05.
Here is a close-up of the Wyoming 222 trailblazer shield on westbound Wyoming 225/Otto Road at Roundtop Road. Photo taken 09/06/05.
Wyoming 225 is a fairly empty road, with low traffic counts west of Wyoming 222/Roundtop Road. Photo taken 09/06/05.
Two branches of the Union Pacific Railroad follow Otto Road briefly after the Wyoming 222 intersection. Photo taken 09/06/05.
Shortly thereafter, one branch of the railroad heads south toward Speer Junction, while the westbound railroad continues to follow Otto Road toward Laramie. Photo taken 09/06/05.
Not many relics of the old Lincoln Highway remain on Otto Road; the highway looks like any other rural road through here. Photo taken 09/06/05.
Westbound Wyoming 225/Otto Road approaches Junction Interstate 80 and U.S. 30 some ten miles west of Cheyenne. Photo taken 09/06/05.
At the western end of Wyoming 225, the state route meets Interstate 80 and U.S. 30 at a diamond interchange. Follow Interstate 80 west to Laramie and east to Cheyenne. Between here and the Vedauwoo Road interchange, only short extant sections of the old Lincoln Highway remain, many of which are not passable. Another section of old U.S. 30 connects Vedauwoo Road with Sherman Hill. Photo taken 09/06/05.
State Capitol
Here is a view of Wyoming's state capitol as seen from Central Avenue (Business Loop I-25, U.S. 85, and Business U.S. 87) looking at the side of the building to the west. Photo taken 09/06/05.
Ames Avenue Southbound
South of Lincolnway, Ames Avenue passes under a pair of viaducts to avoid the Union Pacific Railroad. Photo taken 09/06/05.
Once south of the viaduct, Ames Avenue meets Deming Drive. Follow Deming Drive southeast to the residential neighborhoods served by Ninth Street, Fifth Street, and First Street. Photo taken 09/06/05.
Capitol Avenue Northbound
Capitol Avenue travels nine blocks between 15th Street and 24th Street one block west of Central Avenue (southbound Business Loop I-25, U.S. 85, and Business U.S. 87). At the intersection of Capitol Avenue and 24th Street is the Wyoming state capital building. The state capitol occupies four blocks, and Capitol Avenue resumes in a northwesterly direction at 26th Street. Here, northbound Capitol Avenue reaches Lincolnway (Business Loop I-80 and U.S. 30 or 16th Street). Photo taken 09/06/05.
Continuing north from Lincolnway, the state capitol is visible at the north end of Capitol Avenue. Photo taken 09/06/05.
Capitol Avenue Southbound
Now at the north end of Capitol Avenue at 24th Street, this is the view looking south toward downtown Cheyenne. Photo taken 09/06/05.
Logan Avenue Northbound
Logan Avenue originates at Fifth Street, travels north over the Norris Viaduct (over the Union Pacific Railroad) and then angles northwest toward Pershing Boulevard. The Norris Viaduct was constructed in 1952 and is slated for replacement on an altered alignment along Alexander Avenue (for more, visit Norris Viaduct Replacement). The new viaduct will be wider (four lanes) and will facilitate traffic flow with 5th Street and Nationway/8th Street. Logan Avenue forms the eastern boundary of the original city of Cheyenne as conceived by General Dodge, so the roads traveling west of Logan Avenue travel southwest to northeast. Photo taken 09/06/05.
Upon reaching the base of the Norris Viaduct, Logan Avenue reaches Nationway, a major east-west arterial that skirts the northern edge of the city's lone oil refinery. Nationway starts at Lincolnway (Business Loop I-80 and U.S. 30) and travels southeast to 8th Street, then follows 8th Street east to Windmill Road, then travels northeast to meet Ridge Road, where it changes into 12th Street. In th 1975 American Automobile Association map of Colorado and Wyoming, Nationway is shown as Alternate U.S. 30, but this designation does not appear in most other maps of this period. Photo taken 09/06/05.
Logan Avenue travels in a north-northwesterly direction toward Lincolnway (Business Loop I-80 and U.S. 30). Photo taken 09/06/05.
Pioneer Avenue Northbound
Pioneer Avenue travels north from Lincolnway (Business Loop I-80 and U.S. 30), passing through downtown Cheyenne on a one-way street alignment. Photo taken 09/06/05.
