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Category:
Cities
Population: 5,288
Elevation: 4844
Region: Central
Places to Dine in Douglas
Chamber of Commerce
Web Cams
State Fair Cam
Annual Festivals: Annual //Wyoming State Fair, Jackalope Days, High Plains Music Festival, Douglas Railroad Days, Cowboy Christmas Gift Show
In 1886, when the railroad neared Fort Fetterman, there were already some 2,000 people settled in an area surrounding the fort. The railroad company secretly selected the Douglas town site in order to prevent settlement before the town was laid out and before long, a thousand inhabitants were on hand building the new town. From the beginning, Douglas was in the midst of excellent cattle country and soon became an important shipping point. By 1890, the emphasis switched from livestock to agriculture and farming grew steadily.
In 1905, the Wyoming Legislature provided $10,000 for a Wyoming State Fair and the city of Douglas matched the funds. An additional $4000 was borrowed by local residents from local banks for operating expenses. Douglas continues to host the state fair every year.
As for outdoor recreation opportunities, Douglas has lots to choose from. Visitors can camp, hike, mountain bike, fish, hunt and view wildlife all around the area. Just to the south is the Laramie Mountain Range, Medicine Bow National Forest and the Platte River runs right through town. Don’t forget Ayres Natural Bridge located just 5 miles off of I-25. A remarkable natural bridge over La Prele Creek, the site offers a beautiful spot for a picnic.
Don't Miss: Ayres Natural Bridge, 14 miles west of town, is a 100 foot long rock arch spanning LaPrele Creek. Seven miles northwest of town you'll find Fort Fetterman State Historic Site, where the last army base was built in the Rockies. The fort hosts Fort Fetterman Days with Native American dancing, military demonstrations, fort tours and other festivities during the second week of July.