Cheyenne in Laramie County, Wyoming — The American West (Mountains)
Gene Howard
Noted Cheyenne Horticulturalist
| | 1915 - 1999 | |
Photographed by William Fischer, Jr., September 28, 2026
1. Gene Howard Marker
The gardens, yards, nurseries and small farms on the High Plains benefited greatly thanks to horticulturist Gene Howard.
For over 33 years Gene worked at the former USDA High Plains Horticulture Research Station located west of Cheyenne. He was the last director of the station before its conversion to a grasslands research station in the 1970s. Gene's work was primarily that of a plant breeder as he introduced and assisted with the development and selection of many important hardy trees, shrubs, flowers, fruits and vegetables.
Gene Howard authored numerous publications and had a hand in over 80 different plant introductions, many of which are now standards in the Northern Plains. Some of his introductions included the Cheyenne mum series, the everbearing Fort Laramie strawberry, greenhouse carnations, and the "new-wood fruiting" raspberries known as Trailblazer, Pathfinder and Plainsman.
Gene had a passion for teaching. He was admired for his knowledge, wisdom, willingness to share, and his undying interest in life. Gene's view on life can be found in his autobiographical notes: "The rest of my story is simple. Live
this page online
Sculpture by Cheyenne Artist, Guadalupe Barajas.
Erected by Cheyenne Botanic Gardens and Concerned Citizens and Organizations.
Topics. This historical marker is listed in these topic lists: Charity & Public Work • Education • Environment • Horticulture & Forestry. A significant historical year for this entry is 1964.
Location. 41° 9.447′ N, 104° 49.94′ W. Marker is in Cheyenne, Wyoming, in Laramie County. It can be reached from no nearby street. Marker and sculpture are in the Rotary 1900s Century Plaza in the Cheyenne Botanic Gardens. Touch for map. Marker is at or near this postal address: 4603 Lions Park Drive, Cheyenne WY 82001, United States of America. Touch for directions.
Regionally, this marker is in the Laramie Basin. It is also in the American Mountain West, on the Great Plains, and specifically on the High Plains. Globally, it is in North America, the Western Hemisphere, the Western World, and the Anglosphere.
Photographed by William Fischer, Jr., September 28, 2026
2. Gene Howard Statue and Marker
Other nearby markers. At least 8 other markers are within walking distance of this marker: 1900s Cheyenne Area Garden (here, next to this marker); 1929 Farmall "Regular Series" Tractor (a few steps from this marker); 1800s Cheyenne Area Garden (a few steps from this marker); Shelterbelts (a few steps from this marker); Rotary Century Plaza (a few steps from this marker); Union Pacific Steam Engine #1242 (within shouting distance of this marker); Floyd and Edna Young Folk Art Fence (within shouting distance of this marker); 1700s Cheyenne Area Garden (within shouting distance of this marker). Touch for a list and map of all markers in Cheyenne.
Also see . . . Twenty-Eight Years of Testing Tree-Fruit Varieties at the Cheyenne Horticultural Field Station(1962). Book by Gene Howard (Submitted on October 31, 2026, by William Fischer, Jr. of Reynoldsburg, Ohio.)
Photographed by William Fischer, Jr., September 28, 2026
3. Gene Howard Statue
Credits. This page was last revised on November 1, 2026. It was originally submitted on October 31, 2026, by William Fischer, Jr. of Reynoldsburg, Ohio. This page has been viewed 10 times since then. Photos: 1, 2, 3. submitted on October 31, 2026, by William Fischer, Jr. of Reynoldsburg, Ohio.
