#1 Properties - March Newsletter

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MARCH 2023

In the late 1880’s in Cheyenne, Ferguson street (now known as Carey Avenue) was referred to as “Millionaires Row.” There were over two dozen magnificent mansions built on Carey Avenue. Most of these stately homes occupied at least a quarter of a block, and had carriage houses that were almost as large as the homes themselves.

These mansions were adorned with crystal chandeliers, winding staircases of black walnut, frescoed ceilings commissioned by Italian artists, stained glass windows, gold embossed wallpaper, and were filled with equally as handsome furnishings and art from around the world.

Max Idelman Mansion, 2323 Carey Ave.

J.M. Carey Mansion, 2119 Carey Ave.

Photos on cover from Wyoming State Archives

George Draper Mansion, 2116 Carey Ave. Castle Dare, 1920 Carey Ave.

In the 1880s Cheyenne transformed from the Magic City of tents to a city full of luxurious homes thanks in part to prominent families from around the United States and Europe that had moved to Cheyenne. Cheyenne cattlemen were also prospering and bringing much wealth to the city. During this economic boom, “Millionaires Row” was born to house the elite and wealthy residents of Cheyenne, along with a series of mansions that were built along 17th St. Some of the most famous residents included: Joseph Carey, Francis E. Warren, Erasmus Nagle, David Dare, M.E. Post, and E.W. Whitcomb to name a few.

One of the most magnificent homes found on Millionaires Row was home to Joseph M. Carey, who was appointed the Assistant Supreme Court Justice, was elected the first United States Senator for Wyoming, and also served as Wyoming’s Governor. The Carey house built in 1885 was located between 21st and 22nd streets on Ferguson Street. This elaborate three-story mansion was finished in cut stone and brick, had large porches, balconies, bay windows and ornate decorations on the facade. The interior was very spacious with massive fireplaces, and was exquisitely decorated. Carey was one of the first to enlist an Italian artist to paint his ceilings with golden frescoes. This trend became very popular with his neighbors and many followed suit. In fact, in 1903 President Theodore Roosevelt was a guest at the home of J.M. and Louisa Carey while visiting Cheyenne.

Alexander Swan, who was often referred to as the “Cattle King of the West”, originally built this grand mansion that looked more like a European castle for his daughter as a wedding gift in 1886. The interior was decorated with hand-painted walls, gold door-knobs, and cupids on the ceilings in the two parlors. There was a mahoganypaneled dining room, a music room and library. All three bathrooms were outfitted with marble washbasins. Due to the Great Cattle Bust of 1886-87, Swan defaulted and the house was sold to a banker by the name of David D. Dare. In 1891 Dare's banks could not meet their financial obligations, and Dare and his wife were said to have left town to go to Italy with $200,000 of the bank’s missing money.

Throughout the years the Castle served as a boarding house, mortuary, and a lodge hall. It was torn down in 1964 for a parking lot for the next door fire house. The Castle’s carriage house remained for 30 more years on the corner of 20th Street and Pioneer Avenue. It was demolished in 1993 to make room for a new government complex.

Sources: Early Cheyenne Homes (1880-1890) by Laramie County Historical Society , Cheyenne's Forgotten Castle & Villain by Andi Jaspersen and wyomingtalesandtrails.com

March

24th - 31st& April 1st-2nd ACCOMPLICE

Cheyenne Little Theatre Players www.cheyennelittletheatre.org

30th/GROUNDED

Wyoming State Museum, 9am - 4:30pm www.wyomuseum.wyo.gov

april

1st/ CHEYENNE SMALL BUSINESS MARKET

Cheyenne Ice & Events Center 9am - 3pm

1st / 4TH ANNUAL SPRING FLING CRAFT FAIR

Lincolnway Event Center, 9am-3pm

6th /DINNEEN WRITER'S SERIESELIZABETH SMART

Cheyenne Civic Center, 6pm www.cheyennepresents.com

7th /THIRD EYE BLIND Cheyenne Civic Center, 8pm www.cheyennepresents.com

7th /EXHIBIT: THE PAST, THE PRESENT, & THE FAVORITE Cheyenne Creativity Center, 5-8pm

15th/POSTCARDS FROM THE ISLES - CSO Civic Center, 7:30pm www.cheyennepresents.com

16th /ICE CUBE The Lincoln Cheyenne, 8pm

23rd /"COME SPRING, AGAIN", ALAN KIRKBRIDE MEMORIAL POETRY

Cheyenne Frontier Days Old West Museum, 2pm

29th /B&GC OF CHEYENNE SPRING CRAFT SHOW

515 W. Jefferson Rd. 10am - 4:00pm www.bgcchey.org

29th/FUR BALL 2023CHEYENNE ANIMAL SHELTER Little America Hotel & Resort www.cheyenneanimalshelter.org

Photo from Wyoming State Archives

Photo from Wyoming State Archives

Today's BeauTies ThaT are sTill sTanding

Another distinguished home located at 2323 Carey Avenue, was the Idelman House. Sadly, this is the only 'Millionaires Row' house still standing today. In 1887, Max Idelman, a wholesale liquor dealer, bought the two lots the home resides on for $4,500 from the Carey family. He spent $55,000 to build the house in 1892. The Wyoming Tribune referred to as “one of the most beautiful homes in the state.”

The Queen Anne-style architecture of the Idelman House had a very different flair than the other mansions with its flying tower on the north front corner, and a very large round tower located on the south corner. All of the bedrooms in the house had their own fireplace, and the large master bedroom had its own private bath. The third floor consisted of a grand ballroom with benches along the walls, which was perfect for entertaining Cheyenne’s finest. A dumb waiter built-into the wall between the first and second floors was used to carry up the Idelman’s breakfasts.

The Idelman house eventually became the Schrader's Funeral Home and is now owned by the State of Wyoming.

The William Sturgis House, which still stands today on the corner of 17th and Russel Avenue, was built by George Rainsford in 1883. This 2-story, almost 7,000 Sq. ft. home boasts 7 bedrooms, 7 baths, and 5 fireplaces. The large entrance hall is paneled in black walnut two-thirds of the way up, and then adorned with scalloped shingles extending to the beamed ceiling. The large fireplace has a carved mantel made out of walnut, and the beautiful carved walnut staircase leads up to the bedrooms. William Sturgis along with his brother Tom formed the Union Cattle Company, a three million dollar company, which failed following the disastrous winter of 1886-87.

Located at 222 East 17th Street, this exquisite residence was built by Erasmus Nagle next door to his family home in 1888. He used the rejected stone originally ear-marked to build the State Capitol building. The stone eventually began to flake, and the house had to be covered with stucco.

The interior was adorned with a cherry wood winding staircase and wainscoting, a burnished metal ceiling with intricate floral designs, stained glass windows, massive fireplaces with mirrors extending to the ceilings, and beautiful parquetry floors with intricate designs in light and dark wood.

The home was eventual bought by Frances E. Warren, one of Cheyenne’s most distinguished citizens. Today it is known as the Nagle-Warren Mansion Bed & Breakfast, and has been listed on the National Register of Historic Places. Most of the original interior has been preserved throughout the years.

This beautiful historical home is currently for sale. If you would like to own a piece of

with #1 Properties at (307) 630-0396.

Photos from Google Maps & Cheyenne Historic Preservation

Photo from Erin Simpkins

Photo from Laramie County Historical Society

Photo from Shutter Vision

Photo from Wyoming State Archives

Cheyenne's history contact Robert Phillips

There's Only One #1

In the Cheyenne region, #1 Properties is the finest example of a locally owned and operated business there is. Not only are they the best, they give back to the community through many different sponsorships. Guess that builds good karma, that makes them #1 in this region, way to go #1 Properties! –T/SG

On January 17th, 2023, Eagle Claw Fishing Tackle Co. broke ground on a new 115,000 Square foot manufacturing facility to be built at the Cheyenne Business Parkway. This new plant will bring close to 200 jobs to Cheyenne once it is fully operational. The facility is expected to be completed by February 2024.

Eagle Claw was founded in 1925 by Wright & McGill in Denver, CO. and is the only fishhook manufacture in the US. They also manufacture and distribute rods, reels, tackle and ice shelters.

Lee McGill, current owner of Eagle Claw, and Drew McGill, vice chairman of the company’s board of directors, were at the ground breaking ceremony. McGill stated “We are 98 years old this year, and we are going to celebrate 100 years on this ground right here. There’s no better place to build a business than the freedom-loving state of Wyoming.”

Percent Change in Home Prices

Over 5 Years, Q4 2022