Wyoming Trivia (Renamed) (Cheyenne, Laramie, Sheridan: rail, engineering, photos)

[ElkHunter]

Where, and when, was Wyoming's first Masonic Lodge meeting held?

[CptnRn]

http://www.wyomingmasons.com/

The first known Masonic meeting in Wyoming took place at Independence Rock on July 4th, 1862. Asa L. Brown served as Master of that first communication. Brother Asa later presented the Grand lodge with the Bible and cardboard cut-out, square and compasses used on that first altar.

[ElkHunter]

Originally Posted by CptnRn

Grand Lodge A.F. & A.M. of Wyoming

Good job! You're up. (I happened across that when I was reading about Cattle Kate's ranch.)

[CptnRn]

Something similar to a gold rush occurred in Wyoming in 1945, what was it, what triggered it and where did it take place?

[wyoquilter]

Originally Posted by CptnRn

Something similar to a gold rush occurred in Wyoming in 1945, what was it, what triggered it and where did it take place?

Would this be the "Green Gold Of Wyoming" or "Jade Fever" you are refering to?

In 1945 an article in Popular Science Magazine about jade being found in WY triggered a rush of non-Wyoming natives to come and look for this green gold. Most was discovered around Lander where 7,000 - 8,000 pounds of Jade was collected.

Jade was first discovered in 1936 near Lander.

[CptnRn]

That's it Wyoquilter! Good job and fast too.

Here is the Popular Science article that triggered the "Jade Fever" rush.
Popular Science Article - Green Gold of Wyoming

The famed Wyoming jade fields occur in a rectangular band that runs roughly from Lander southwest to Farson, down to the Red Desert in Sweetwater County, east to Seminoe Dam, north to Alcova, and westward back to Lander. Wyoming jade is black, olive green, emerald green, light apple green and sometimes gray to white. The lighter colors of jade, especially apple green, are most in demand for gemstones. Today, most people believe that Wyoming's jade fields have been scoured so thoroughly by six decades worth of jade hunters that the light green variety of nephrite can no longer be found.


[wyoquilter]

Originally Posted by CptnRn

That's it Wyoquilter! Good job and fast too.

Here is the Popular Science article that triggered the "Jade Fever" rush.
Popular Science Article - Green Gold of Wyoming

My grandmother and her siblings used to find jade all over near where she lived on Boxelder between Arvada and Buffalo and along the banks of the creek that is near Buffalo. This was in the late 1920's to early 1930s. They had no idea that these green stones were valuable, they just thought they were pretty. But after the Jade Rush you can't hardly find any now. I found several pieces of jade myself down near Rawlins back in the mid 1980's. I was told by the locals that what I found wasn't worth anything so I got rid of them, now I'm thinking I should have maybe had an actual expert tell me if they were worth something or not.

Okay for my question:

How did Whoopup Canyon near Newcastle get it's name? Also what is this area known for?

[baadsheep]

Cowboys named Whoopup Canyon for the spring floods. Also the area is known for petroglyphs.

[wyoquilter]

Originally Posted by baadsheep

Cowboys named Whoopup Canyon for the spring floods. Also the area is known for petroglyphs.

You are correct

The cowboys named the canyon for the way the flood waters would whoop down the canyon. Also the petroglyphs depict scenes of comunnal hunting.

Now it's your turn.

[baadsheep]

Where was the first cable tv system to be activated in Wyoming? Also, this cable system wasn't the first in the nation, but, it was first for something else. What was it?