The Quebec 01 Launch Control Facility, twenty-five miles north of Cheyenne and fifteen and a half miles south of Chugwater, in Laramie County, Wyoming, possesses extraordinary national significance under National Historic Landmark Criterion 1 in the area of Military History, for its association with the deployment and operation of the Minuteman IB, Minuteman III, and Peacekeeper intercontinental ballistic missile (ICBM) systems during the Cold War (see Location Map and Figure 1). Strategic land-based missile delivery systems, submarine-launched missiles, and manned bombers comprised the US nuclear triad during the Cold War, the 1946-91 military and political standoff between the US and the Soviet Union and their respective allies. From 1965 to 2005, Quebec 01 comprised the launch control facility (later termed a missile alert facility) for a flight of ten nuclear missiles placed in dispersed, hardened, underground concrete launch facilities miles away. As part of the nation’s defense, the missile systems controlled by Quebec 01 preserved the peace by comprising a credible means of retaliation in response to an attack by the Soviet Union. Originally constructed 1963-64 as a launch control facility for the Minuteman I missile, Quebec 01 controlled a flight of ten missiles as part of the 400th Strategic Missile Squadron of the 90th Strategic Missile Wing at F.E. Warren Air Force Base, Cheyenne. The facility became operational in 1965 and, over ensuing decades, embodied the operation and evolution of a launch control/missile alert facility that directed increasingly sophisticated weapons systems.

From 1965 to 1986 Quebec 01 served as a launch control facility for the Minuteman missile, the backbone of the US nuclear arsenal. The Minuteman, the nation’s first solid-fueled missile, was equipped with a single warhead equivalent to eighty times the force of the 1945 bomb that devastated Hiroshima, Japan, during World War II. Quebec 01, constructed as part of the missile’s deployment, began controlling Minuteman IB missiles in 1965. Located in individual, hardened, underground launch facilities, the Minuteman represented a significant improvement over its Atlas and Titan liquid-fuel predecessors in the US nuclear arsenal. The new missile was smaller, more accurate, less expensive to manufacture, capable of being mass produced, and less expensive to maintain and keep on alert. President John F. Kennedy described the Minuteman as the nation’s “ace in the hole” in its global confrontation with the Soviets.

Constructed between 1885 and the 1930s, the Rainsford neighborhood has its own unique history. Named for George Rainsford, an eastern architect who came west to try his hand at horse ranching in the 1870s and eventually designed homes for his contemporaries in Cheyenne, the neighborhood reflects his love for simplified traditional styles and varied roof shapes. Rainsford's designs were widely copied, borrowed from and expanded upon. A few of his houses still stand within the district, and a great many more reflect his influence. This area was once preferred by Cheyenne Cattle Barons, and represents the natural expansion of the city as it rapidly developed during the Cattle Boom. Rainsford District is an excellent expression of upper and upper middle class housing stock popular in the late 19th and early 20th centuries and its decline in bust years as larger lots were subdivided and sold for working class housing and multi-family apartment buildings. The homes, primarily of wood frame construction with some brick interspersed, range from single story bungalows and cottages to three story picturesque cottages. The Rainsford District is recognized for its association with locally and nationally significant individuals who laid the foundations for statehood; for its integrity as an historic neighborhood with uniform setbacks, plantings, slate sidewalks and unique character; and for its association with important factors such as the cash flow of the cattle era, the railroad tie to eastern markets, and the cultural and social aspirations of western businessmen which have made significant contributions to the broad patterns of Cheyenne and Wyoming history.

The Remount Ranch is a pioneer cattle and horse ranch in Laramie County. It is significant as it represents the themes of late 19th century pioneer settlement and agricultural development, and was the home of the celebrated author, Mary O'Hara, who wrote extensively of the Wyoming landscape and ranch life. The Remount Ranch, originally called the Lone Tree Ranch, was homesteaded in 1886 by Thomas Gunston. One notable social acquaintance of Thomas Gunston was the infamous historical character Tom Horn, bounty hunter and range detective turned outlaw. Tom Horn visited the Gunstons over the years and according to some sources, used the Gunston ranch to hide-out from the pursuit of Laramie County Sheriff Frank Roach and Federal agents seeking his arrest for the killing of a young boy named Willie Nichol. The Gunston property was sold in 1930 to Helge and Mary Sture-Vasa. The high plains ranch would provide the inspiration for Mary O'Hara's beloved book, My Friend Flicka published in 1941. Mary developed a modest but successful boys' ranch at the Remount for youngsters from prep schools in the East. She continued to write at the Remount, producing all best-sellers about life in Wyoming, including Thunderhead, Green Grass of Wyoming, Wyoming Summer, and the Catch Colt. The Remount Ranch best represents the significant contributions made by Mary O'Hara during her adult, productive lifetime.

According to tradition the inspiration for the design of St. Mark's came from the Stoke Poges Church near London. This ancient church, dating from 1080 A. D., was made famous as the site where Thomas Gray wrote ''Elegy in a Country Church Yard.'' The architectural style of St. Mark's is Old English with pointed arches, massive buttresses, plain finishing and a high-pitched shingle roof. The architect was Henry M. Congdon of New York City. Construction was begun in 1886. The stone work was done by Mr. William Toorey and the interior woodworking was done by Mr. George East. The red lava stone was quarried at Castle Rock, Colorado. Only the addition of the bell tower in 1925 has altered the profile of the 1886 construction. The interior of St. Mark's contains the original altar, wooden fixtures, pews and open beams placed in the building in 1888.

Many memorable events have occurred in St. Mark's history through the years. In November of 1903 Cheyenne was alive with the Tom Horn affair. Accused of killing young Willie Nickell, Horn was tried by jury, found guilty and sentenced to be hung. St. Mark's assistant rector, the Rev. Mr. Watson, tried converting Tom Horn the night before his execution and the rector, the Rev. Mr. Rafter, prayed on the hanging platform right up until the time of Horn's death. A special service was held at St. Mark's for Tom Horn after his death. The funeral of the wife and three small daughters of General John J. Pershing took place at St. Mark's on August 31, 1915. Mrs. Pershing, daughter of Wyoming's United States Senator Francis E. Warren, along with three of her four children had met their death in a fire at the Presidio army post in California. October 11, 1936, was another noteworthy date at St. Mark's. That day President Franklin D. Roosevelt and his wife Eleanor, entered the Church and quietly worshipped with the congregation. Roosevelt was in Cheyenne campaigning for his second term as President.

St. Mary's is a lofty, white sandstone English Gothic cathedral in the heart of Cheyenne. It was not until 1902, with the arrival of the third bishop of the Diocese of Cheyenne, James J. Keane, that progress was made toward the erection of a cathedral in the city which in 1890 has become the state capitol. The creation of Cheyenne Diocese had not been anticipated in the early days of Cheyenne settlement, and since the congregation, which was now known as St. Mary's had outgrown its modest brick church at 19th and Carey, Bishop Keane set himself to the task of erecting a suitable cathedral and bishop's residence. The site chosen for the new cathedral was on Capitol Avenue. On July 7, 1907 amid a throng of 5000 people, the cornerstone of the cathedral building was laid. On January 31, 1909 in a ceremony attended by the most impressive gathering of Catholic ecclesiastics held in Wyoming St. Mary's Cathedral was dedicated.

Certified Welding Corporation is located at 1122 West 23rd Street in an industrial area on the west side of the original commercial district of the City of Cheyenne, Wyoming. This property consists of two related buildings that were served by a railroad siding. Both buildings are well-preserved and rather unusual examples of early twentieth century brick masonry commercial/industrial architecture with their gable roofs and tall narrow design. The two buildings are significant because they represent the early twentieth century commercial activity in Cheyenne. Cheyenne had its origins as a railroad town created in 1867 by the construction of the first transcontinental railroad, making it an important transportation center from its inception. Therefore, its commercial history was inextricably tied to the railroad. These buildings were constructed in ca. 1915 and served as a wholesale bulk oil storage facility operated by the Texas Oil Company. Gas and oil were brought in by railroad cars, then unloaded and stored for local distribution. By 1960, the name of the corporation had changed to Texaco, Incorporated, and it is assumed that some of the products were distributed to local Texaco service station outlets. The Texas Oil Company continued to occupy this site as a wholesale distributor through 1979.

The Joseph C. O’Mahoney (Federal Center) is historically significant on the local level under Criteria A and C for the areas of significance for Government and Architecture for the period 1965 to 1968. The building is significant under Criterion A as a local manifestation of a transformative period in federal building construction. During the 1960s, in an effort to meet a growing shortage of space, great numbers of federal office buildings were constructed throughout the nation employing new design principles, materials, and methods. In addition, the building is representative of the important role of the federal government has played in Cheyenne’s development and economy. The building is significant under Criterion C as an intact example of the work of regionally important architect, Frederic (also Frederick) C. Porter, Sr. The Federal Center was Porter’s last major architectural project. In designing the building, Porter offered a local interpretation of the principles, goals, and directives then guiding federal architecture under the massive building program managed by the U.S. General Services Administration (GSA). The building employs a three-part composition and Formalist design characteristics to evoke the strength and permanence of the federal government. The incorporation of a prominent landscaped plaza, the use of high quality, but cost effective, materials, and the incorporation of art, Robert Russin’s bas-relief sculpture, Wyoming Pioneer Family, reflect GSA’s design guidance. An internationally known artist who taught at the University of Wyoming and resided in Laramie, Russin’s work appears in several public buildings in Wyoming. The period of significance is from 1965, when the building was completed, to 1968, when Russin’s bas-relief sculpture, Wyoming Pioneer Family, was installed in the tower lobby.

The Union Pacific Depot at Cheyenne is located at Fifteenth Street and Capitol Avenue and takes up more than a city block in area. As the headquarters for the Denver-Cheyenne-Ogden Division of the Union Pacific Railroad, it is the oldest of the Union Pacific properties in Cheyenne and probably the most impressive railroad building in all of Wyoming. Looking north from the depot on a line-of-sight axis is the spire of St. Mark's Episcopal Church and ten blocks from the depot along the same line is the Wyoming State Capitol Building. All three of the historic buildings were constructed at the same time, beginning in 1886. The Depot stands as a historic symbol of the growth of both the city of Cheyenne and the state of Wyoming. Not only is it representative of an earlier historic era, but it is in itself an example of a particular style of architecture developed by the outstanding American architect, H. H. Richardson.

The Van Tassell mansion, greenhouse and carriage barn, originally known as the Thomas residence, were designed by architect George D. Rainsford around 1886 and incorporated the best features of the Queen Anne style in the Late Victorian period. However, the only structure of the Thomas residence that remains is the carriage barn which, following demolition of the Thomas mansion, was moved to Holliday Park in Cheyenne about 1960 where it served as the home of the Cheyenne Artists' Guild. Between thirty and forty Wyoming structures were designed by George D. Rainsford, architect to cattle barons. The carriage barn is one of the last great carriage barns in Cheyenne. The particular love Rainsford had for horses is demonstrated by the workmanship displayed. The J. B. Thomas residence was acquired by Wyoming stockman and influential community leader, Robert S. Van Tassell in 1892.

The Whipple-Lacey House, constructed in 1883, is located three blocks east of the center of downtown Cheyenne. The house was built by I. C. Whipple, early Cheyenne banker, business entrepreneur, and stockman. Later it was the home of Judge John W. Lacey. The house was built of red brick and trimmed with cut stone in a style that has been called Modernized French Villa, however, Victorian and other styles are apparent. The significance of the house rests in its association with two of the most important pioneer figures in the history of southeastern Wyoming, Ithamar C. Whipple and John W. Lacey.

The Sturgis home, constructed in 1884, is significant because of its association both with its owner-builder, William Sturgis, and its architect, George D. Rainsford. Sturgis, one of Wyoming's early cattle barons, was deeply involved in the commercial development of Cheyenne. With his brother, Thomas, Sturgis was a founding member of the Wyoming Stock Growers' Association, an organization of great importance in the state's early history. George D. Rainsford, a rancher and architect, helped to introduce a variety of architectural styles to Wyoming. The Sturgis house is an extremely well-preserved example of Wyoming's adaptation of the shingle style, a symbol of the era of the cattle baron on the high plains.

The brick warehouse that currently houses the State of Wyoming Department of Environmental Quality, Air Quality Maintenance, is located at 720 West 18th Street and is bordered on the west by a railroad line and spur. The property is on the west side of the original commercial district of the City of Cheyenne, Wyoming. It is significant because it represent the early twentieth century commercial activity in Cheyenne. It is also significant because it was designed by prominent Wyoming architect William Dubois and is the only known example of a Dubois-designed warehouse remaining in Cheyenne. Cheyenne had its origins as a railroad town created in 1867 by the construction of the first transcontinental railroad, making it an important transportation center from its inception. Therefore, its commercial history was inextricably tied to the railroad. The warehouse building was constructed in 1929. In 1937, the warehouse was extended on the north to its current dimensions, and William Dubois also designed the addition. It housed a variety of businesses, including the Wyoming Fuel and Feed Company, the Cheyenne Transfer and Storage Company, the Wyoming State Liquor Commission, and the Wyott Manufacturing Company, a wholesale restaurant supply firm.

The Wyoming Governor's Mansion, constructed in 1904, is a red brick building of Georgian Colonial architecture. The Mansion is of state-wide political significance as a structure closely related to the functions of the executive branch of government. The Wyoming State Legislature authorized the construction of the Executive Mansion in 1901 and appropriated $3,000 for the purchase of land and $37,000 for construction. The building was officially dedicated in January of 1905. Wyoming's Executive Mansion is the first in the United States to have been occupied by a woman Governor, Nellie Tayloe Ross, who served during the 1920s. The Governor's Mansion opened to the public as a historic house museum in 1977.

The cornerstone of the Wyoming State Capitol was laid in Cheyenne on May 18, 1887. It was a proud day for the citizens of Wyoming Territory and the Cheyenne Democratic Leader commented upon what was ''the occasion of the greatest military and civic demonstration ever witnessed in the history of the city.'' The building is a three and one-half story structure, about 300 feet long by 83 to 112 feet wide exclusive of approaches. The height of both the center and wings from ground to roof is about 60 feet, although the distance from the grade of the building to the top of the spire on the dome is 146 feet. The basic material used in construction of the first two courses or platform of the building is sandstone quarried at Fort Collins, Colorado, and the superstructure is of gray sandstone from quarries at Rawlins, Wyoming. The Wyoming Capitol has been, and still is, a dominant structure on the Cheyenne skyline, in addition to being historically one of the most important buildings in the State.

National Historic Landmark Nomination

The Wyoming State Capitol Building and Grounds is nationally significant under National Historic Landmark Criteria 1 and 3 for its direct association with the first, sustained instance in which a state established women’s right to vote. State constitutional delegates debated and voted upon this provision in Wyoming’s constitution in the Capitol’s Territorial House Chamber/Supreme Court Room in 1889. Under Criterion 1, the property is the site at which the territorial electorate continued the full voting rights provided to women as established in 1869 by the Territorial Legislature and where, in 1890, Wyoming became the forty-fourth state and the first to guarantee women’s suffrage. Under Criterion 3, this event and the acceptance of Wyoming into the Union in 1890 demonstrate the beginnings of what ultimately became a lengthy effort to achieve success in the women’s suffrage movement on a state-by-state basis, following on the heels of failed attempts in the 1860s to provide for women’s suffrage nationally through amendment to the US Constitution. Wyoming had been the first US Territory to secure women’s enfranchisement in 1869, and the continuation of this right into statehood reflects how Western expansion of the country during Reconstruction and afterward became a means, sometimes successfully used and other times not, by which suffragists made inroads state-by-state, a phenomenon documented in the few studies of women’s suffrage in the West. For this association with women’s history, the property was designated a National Historic Landmark on May 4, 1987; the updated documentation presented here honors that designation through the inclusion of additional scholarship and description of a recently completed wholesale restoration and rehabilitation effort.