Here in Wyoming, we have our own words and phrases that people from elsewhere don't understand. For instance, while the rest of the country calls people from Colorado "Coloradans," we call them "Greenies." However, there are plenty of regional terms from outside of Wyoming that we just don't get. These words might sound weird to us, but they're perfectly normal elsewhere.
These brightly-colored sprinkles are called "jimmies" in New England.
We might not be familiar with these words and phrases, but there is one thing that folks from Wyoming know for sure: we have the most beautiful scenery in the country. Checkout this ultimate bucket list for anyone who loves the outdoors in Wyoming.
When you think of Wyoming, Yellowstone National Park, Grand Teton National Park, and Jackson Hole are usually the first things that come to mind. However, there are so many other things about Wyoming that are just as notable. Here is a list of some impressive "Wyoming firsts" that most people don't associate with our state. Interestingly enough, a lot of these have had a significant impact on our country! There are so many concepts and things invented in Wyoming that may take you by surprise.
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1. Wyoming is the first state in the United States to have a public county library.
Not many people know that the concept of county libraries is one of the things invented in Wyoming, but Albany County made history in 1887! The Albany County Public Library became the first county library system in America. Now, we can't imagine life without them.
2. Wyoming is home to the first national park in the nation.
In 1872, President Ulysses S. Grant signed the act that designated Yellowstone as a national park. It became the first national park in the nation! Funny enough, Wyoming didn't become a state until almost 20 years later in 1890.
3. Wyoming is home to the world's first national monument.
Speaking of wonderful things invented in Wyoming, we're also responsible for the National Monument designation. In 1906, Teddy Roosevelt declared Devils Tower the first national monument in the world.
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4. Wyoming is home to the first business west of the Missouri River.
The business was a trading post located at the confluence of the Laramie and North Platte Rivers. This business was a fur trading post established by William Sublette and Robert Campbell. Fort Laramie is now located at this spot, and you can visit to see history preserved.
5. Women in Wyoming became the first in the nation to obtain the right to vote.
Wyoming granted women the right to vote in 1869. This was done in part to attract more single women to the area because the pioneers were struggling to grow the population way out here on the range. Wyoming's determination to keep women voting is part of what delayed our official declaration of statehood.
The Shoshone National Forest is located in Cody and was designated a national forest in 1891. The terrain ranges anywhere from meadows to rugged mountains and shows off beautiful views along the Chief Joseph Scenic Highway.
7. Wyoming is home to the first JC Penney store! This iconic department store is one of the most well known of things invented in Wyoming.
This monument built in honor of a prostitute is located south of Lusk. The monument is known as the Old Mother FeatherLegs Shepard Monument and was built in 1964.
10. Wyoming is home to the first and only building built with fossilized dinosaur bones in the United States.
Fossil Cabin was built in 1932 and is located near Medicine Bow in Carbon County. This is one of the quirkiest spots in the Cowboy State and it's so worth a visit.
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How many of these did you already know about? What are some other things invented in Wyoming that we should add to this list? What are some of your favorite things from Wyoming? Let us know in the comments!
These incredible concepts and the best Wyoming inventions, as well as the "firsts" in our state's history, are all part of what makes Wyoming an absolutely amazing place to explore. If you love Wyoming as much as we do, check out some of the Cowboy State gear from Wear Your Roots.
While Wyoming is the best state in the nation for its residents, there are a few things you should be aware of before you start spending time here. These dangers of living in Wyoming are all too real - but you'll have to decide for yourself which ones may affect your everyday life. So, is Wyoming dangerous? You decide! See if you consider any of the following to be bad things about Wyoming.
Wyoming has three seasons - July, August, and Winter. If you stay here long enough, you start to think thoughts like "Oh, -20 isn't that bad" and "We really could have used more snow this winter", and that's the beginning of the end.
This is another thing that happens a lot to Wyomingites. Always tell someone where you're going and when you plan to be back, so they know where to find you if you wander off the trail. This is one of the things that can kill you in Wyoming if you don't play your cards right. The wilderness is one of the most dangerous things about Wyoming.
Okay, so it's unlikely you'll be blown off of Devils Tower by a big gust of wind, but we've all had to chase down some paper or an umbrella like a cartoon character before.
There are only two venomous snakes in Wyoming, and you're not really likely to get bitten by one even if you do spot one off the trail. Just stay calm and give them space. Be extra careful in the Flaming Gorge area, where the Midget Faded Rattlesnake lives. This is Wyoming's most dangerous snake, but there aren't many left, and they're extraordinarily rare.
Bear spray and bear bags, friends. You'll see grizzlies if you live here, but they'll almost always leave you alone. Sure there are dangerous animals in Wyoming, just don't give them an excuse to take an interest in you.
All it takes is one closed gas station to really ruin a trip. Carry emergency supplies in your car, especially in winter. Lonely roads like this are among the most dangerous places in Wyoming.
Moose are a little more frightening than grizzlies to me - they're all over the place and absolutely gigantic. Give them space and try not to run your car into any of them and you should be good.
While we love our guns here, it's an unfortunate reality that our gun fatality rate is nearly twice the national average. Remember basic gun safety - lock them up, teach your kids not to play with them, and never point a gun at something you don't intend to kill.
Is Wyoming safe from invading tourists? Unfortunately, encounters with tourists are one of the risks of living in Wyoming. You know, I'll take my chances with the moose and the grizzlies.
No matter how many perilous encounters you have with wind, bears, isolation, and greenies, there's really no place in the world like Wyoming, and those of us who live here wouldn't trade it for the world.
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We hope this article helped answer the question, "Is Wyoming dangerous?" That being said, don't let this list of the "dangers" of living in Wyoming discourage you from visiting or moving to Wyoming - it really is unlike any place on Earth! Check out the ultimate and definitive bucket list for everyone in Wyoming, and be sure to make your way down the list before you succumb to the Wyoming Wind.
There's one place that people from all over the world come to visit in Wyoming, and that place is Yellowstone! Book a Full-Day Guided Yellowstone Day Tour on Viator for the adventure of a lifetime.
