Downtown Laramie

Laramie, WY

Overview

The city of Laramie ("The Gem City of the Plains") had a population of 30,816 as of the 2010 Census and 27,204 as of the 2000 Census. Due to the presence of the university, the population of Laramie is rather fluid and transient, with students leaving during the summer months. The elevation of Laramie seems to vary depending the source: the university cites 7,220 feet above sea level at War Memorial Stadium, while the chamber of commerce places the elevation at 7,165 feet above sea level, perhaps closer to downtown Laramie. Annually, 10.88 inches of precipitation (rain and snow) falls in Laramie, with 36 inches in the form of snow. Perhaps the most famous weather statistic is the wind speed, which averages 12.8 miles per hour!

Laramie, Wyoming Map

Laramie was the home to Matthew Shepard, a young man who was murdered in 1998 in what is now considered a hate crime due to his homosexuality. In spite of this event and its aftermath that challenged the notion that Wyoming is the "Equality State," Laramie generally is a safe place to live and work, and its crime rates are well below the national average. Mr. Shepard's story began with his abduction by locals Aaron James McKinney and Russell Arthur Henderson. The two beat and robbed him, and then left him to die while tied to a fence away from town. His body was found while he was barely alive, but rescuers were unable to revive him. The two suspects in this crime later admitted that they beat Mr. Shepard because of his homosexuality.

Home to the burgeoning University of Wyoming, Laramie sees its population swell during the school year when over 13,000 students attend classes. Some of the major attractions at the university include the American Heritage Center, the War Memorial Stadium (football), Arena-Auditorium (basketball), and various museums and exhibits. One of the most popular museums at the University of Wyoming is the geology museum and library.

Routes

City Streets and Roads

First St Thumbnail
First St (8 photos) Union Pacific Pedestrian Viaduct Thumbnail
Union Pacific Pedestrian Viaduct (9 photos) University of Wyoming Thumbnail
University of Wyoming (22 photos) War Memorial Stadium Thumbnail
War Memorial Stadium (5 photos) Willet Dr Thumbnail
Willet Dr (5 photos) ，其他 Roads Thumbnail
Other Roads (20 photos)

Union Pacific Pedestrian Viaduct

This is a view of the skyline of downtown as seen from the Union Pacific Railroad Viaduct that crosses over the rail yard.

This is a view of the skyline of downtown as seen from the Union Pacific Railroad Viaduct that crosses over the rail yard. 09/07/05

The overpass is a truss bridge built for use by pedestrians and bicyclists.

The overpass is a truss bridge built for use by pedestrians and bicyclists. 09/07/05

At the east end of the bridge, a ramp provides access for bicycles, while a stairs provides a connection for pedestrians.

At the east end of the bridge, a ramp provides access for bicycles, while a stairs provides a connection for pedestrians. 09/07/05

This is a view of eastbound Garfield Street as seen from the viaduct. Garfield Street is an east-west street that parallels Grand Avenue one block to the south.

This is a view of eastbound Garfield Street as seen from the viaduct. Garfield Street is an east-west street that parallels Grand Avenue one block to the south. 09/07/05

From the ramp, this is the view from the pedestrian viaduct to First Street in downtown Laramie.

From the ramp, this is the view from the pedestrian viaduct to First Street in downtown Laramie. 09/07/05

This is a view of the entire pedestrian viaduct as seen from southbound First Street near the intersection with Garfield Street.

This is a view of the entire pedestrian viaduct as seen from southbound First Street near the intersection with Garfield Street. 09/07/05

Looking west, the pedestrian viaduct offers a direct connection between First Street and West Laramie.

Looking west, the pedestrian viaduct offers a direct connection between First Street and West Laramie. 09/07/05

The entire bridge is built as a steel truss bridge with a superstructure that limits the height of what can pass on the bridge.

The entire bridge is built as a steel truss bridge with a superstructure that limits the height of what can pass on the bridge. 09/07/05

The entire bridge is built as a steel truss bridge with a superstructure that limits the height of what can pass on the bridge.

The entire bridge is built as a steel truss bridge with a superstructure that limits the height of what can pass on the bridge. 09/07/05

Page Updated Saturday September 13, 2014