Devils Tower
NPS Photo
Devils Tower was proclaimed America’s first national monument in 1906. Theodore Roosevelt decided the approximately 1,347 acre region located in Wyoming had to be preserved. Most geologists believe Devils Tower is an igneous intrusion where the sedimentary rock around it has eroded away. Children can learn more at: Devils Tower.
Nellie Tayloe Ross became the first woman governor. She became Wyoming’s top executive in 1925. Her husband was governor, but he died of complications from an appendectomy. She then ran for the governorship and won. The National Governors Association provides a great database regarding governors at: http://www.nga.org/cms/home.html. Children could find out how many of today’s governors are women.
Map of Land Affected by the Treaty
Treaty of Guadalupe Hidalgo was signed in 1848, ending the war between Mexico and the United States. In return for fifteen million dollars from the United States, Mexico gave up the land that became California, Nevada, Utah, and parts of Arizona, Wyoming, Colorado, Kansas, Oklahoma, and New Mexico. Texas also became part of the United States.
Grand Teton National Park was created in 1929. Centered around the Teton Range, this 310,000-acre national park is located in Northwestern Wyoming. Paleo-Indians lived there 11,000 years ago. Children can see some great photos and participate in activities at: http://www.nps.gov/grte/index.htm
Yellowstone National Park
Yellowstone National Park was established in 1872. It was the country’s first national park and perhaps the world’s first national park. Comprising over 2,200,000 acres, it is mostly in Wyoming, but portions of the park extend into Idaho and Montana. It is known for beautiful vistas, plentiful wildlife, and interesting geothermal features. It became a UNESCO World Heritage Site in 1978. Children could visit an Internet site, especially the portions for children and teachers, at: http://www.nps.gov/yell.
Wyoming Flag
Wyoming became the forty-fourth state of the United States in 1890. The state is ninth in size, but it is fiftieth in population. Even Alaska has more people than Wyoming. Its name is derived from a Delaware phrase maugh-wau-wa-ma, meaning great plains. Cheyenne is the state capital. Cattle ranching and uranium mining have provided considerable income to the state. Lately large reserves of petroleum and coal are helping the economy. Two tourist draws are Grand Teton National Park and Yellowstone National Park. Old Faithful Geyser is located in Yellowstone National Park and erupts on a fairly regular basis. Children can view a webcam of Old Faithful Geyser at: Old Faithful. Idea: Children could calculate the population density of various states. How does Wyoming compare to the other states?