Downtown in Cheyenne in Laramie County, Wyoming — The American West (Mountains)

Spirit of Wyoming

A Monument to the Citizens of the State of Wyoming

— May 16, 1986 —

Spirit of Wyoming Marker image. Click for full size.

Photographed by William Fischer, Jr., September 29, 2026

1. Spirit of Wyoming Marker

Inscription.

Needing a symbol of home, the Wyoming National Guard adopted the bucking horse and rider as their insignia while serving in France during World War I. During the 1920s, the University of Wyoming began using a version of the insignia on their athletic uniforms, and by 1935, Secretary of State Lester Hunt (later Governor and US Senator) led the effort to include it on our license plates. In 1997, the State of Wyoming worked with the University to make the Bucking Horse and Rider an official trademark.

Edward J. Fraughton's Spirit of Wyoming, depicting the beloved symbol, was installed on the Capitol grounds in 1986. Fraughton won the gold medal award from the National Academy of Western Art at its first annual competition in 1973.

[Photo caption reads]
'Riding Straight Up'
Many believe the image of the bucking horse and rider was modeled after Steamboat, a rodeo horse famous for being difficult to ride.

Erected by State of Wyoming.

Topics. This historical marker is listed in these topic lists: Arts, Letters, Music • Entertainment. A significant historical year for this entry is 1935.

Location. 41° 8.394′ N, 104° 49.272′ W.

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Marker is in Cheyenne, Wyoming, in Laramie County. It is in Downtown. It is at the intersection of Carey Avenue and 24th Street, on the right when traveling north on Carey Avenue. Marker and sculpture are on the Wyoming Capitol west grounds. Touch for map. Marker is at or near this postal address: 200 West 24th Street, 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.

Historically, it finds itself in what was once the Louisiana Purchase.

Other nearby markers. At least 8 other markers are within walking distance of this marker: Wyoming Capitol (within shouting distance of this marker); The Wyoming State Capitol Dome and Drum (within shouting distance of this marker); Bolt from the Blue (within shouting distance of this marker); Wyoming Capitol Square (about 300 feet away, measured in a direct line); Esther Hobart Morris (about 300 feet away); Elling William "Bill" Golling

The Spirit of Wyoming Marker image. Click for full size.

Photographed by William Fischer, Jr., September 29, 2026

2. The Spirit of Wyoming Marker

On the sculpture base

(about 300 feet away); George Washington's Elm (about 400 feet away); A Family of Lawmakers (about 500 feet away). Touch for a list and map of all markers in Cheyenne.

Another marker is no longer nearby. Dedicated to You, A Free Citizen in a Free Land (was within shouting distance of this marker but has been replaced with another marker now near it).

Spirit of Wyoming Marker and Sculpture image. Click for full size.

Photographed by William Fischer, Jr., September 29, 2026

3. Spirit of Wyoming Marker and Sculpture

Spirit of Wyoming Sculpture image. Click for full size.

Photographed by William Fischer, Jr., September 29, 2026

4. Spirit of Wyoming Sculpture

Photographed by William Fischer, Jr., September 29, 2026

5. Spirit of Wyoming Sculpture

Spirit of Wyoming Sculpture Detail image. Click for full size.

Photographed by William Fischer, Jr., September 29, 2026

6. Spirit of Wyoming Sculpture Detail

Credits. This page was last revised on November 3, 2026. It was originally submitted on November 3, 2026, by William Fischer, Jr. of Reynoldsburg, Ohio. This page has been viewed 5 times since then. Photos: 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6. submitted on November 3, 2026, by William Fischer, Jr. of Reynoldsburg, Ohio.