# 2444 - 1990 25c Wyoming Statehood

US #2444
1990 Wyoming Statehood Centennial

• Honors the 100^th anniversary of Wyoming joining the Union
  
  

Stamp Category:  Commemorative
Value:  25¢, First-Class mail rate
First Day of Issue:  February 23, 1990
First Day City:  Cheyenne, Wyoming
Quantity Issued:  169,495,000
Printed by:  Bureau of Engraving and Printing
Printing Method:  Lithographed and Engraved
Format:  Panes of 50
Perforations:  11

Why the stamp was issued:  The stamp was issued to commemorate the Centennial of the state of Wyoming.

About the stamp design:  The centennial of Wyoming statehood is celebrated with a stamp featuring the Grand Teton Mountains. The picture of majestic mountains rising up from a field of wildflowers was taken from the painting High Mountain Meadows, by native artist Conrad Schwiering.  The painting was in the private collection of Jack Rosenthal, a member of the Citizens Stamp Advisory Committee and resident of Wyoming.
Though the USPS liked the painting, there was a rule against using privately own artwork because it could increase its value.  Rosenthal solved the problem by donating the painting to the Nicolaysen Art Museum in Casper, Wyoming.

About the printing process:  Most of the stamp was printed using offset lithography.  The row of trees was engraved, as well as the white lettering.

First Day City:  The First Day of Issue ceremony took place at the Cheyenne Civic Center during a joint session of the Wyoming Legislature.  The formal transfer of the painting from Rosenthal to the museum occurred during the ceremony.

History the stamp represents:  In the mid-1700s, French trappers probably became the first whites to enter Wyoming. However, the area remained unexplored until after the 1800s. Most of Wyoming was purchased by the United States in the Louisiana Purchase of 1803. American trappers then came to the area. In 1807, John Colter became the first European to travel across the Yellowstone area. A party of fur traders led by Robert Stuart found an easy way to cross the mountains, which became known as the South Pass.
In 1833, while leading a fur-trading and -trapping party, Captain Benjamin L. E. de Bonneville discovered an oil spring in the Wind River Basin. Traders William Sublette and Robert Campbell established Fort William in eastern Wyoming. This fort was later renamed Fort Laramie, and was the area’s first permanent settlement.
Lieutenant John C. Frémont explored the Wind River Mountains in 1842 and ’43. The famous scout Kit Carson served as Frémont’s guide. Based on Frémont’s report, Congress decided to build a series of forts along the Oregon Trail to protect settlers moving west. In 1849, the government bought Fort William, which was later renamed Fort Laramie.
Sections of present-day Wyoming had been part of the territories of Louisiana, Missouri, Nebraska, Oregon, Washington, Idaho, Utah, and Dakota. Part of southern Wyoming belonged to Spain from the 1500s to the 1800s. Spain lost control of this territory to Texas in 1836. All of Wyoming became US territory when Texas joined the Union in 1845.
During the 1840s, many settlers traveled across Wyoming, heading to the West. Travelers utilized three famous trails: the California Trail; the Mormon Trail, which went to Utah; and the Oregon Trail, to the Pacific Northwest. All three trails used the South Pass through the mountains, but separated after crossing. Settlers traveling through southern Wyoming used the Overland, or Cherokee, Trail. This trail joined others at Fort Bridger. Thousands of people passed through Wyoming, but few stayed.
At first, the Plains Indians were tolerant of the wagon trains crossing their land. In fact, Indians often assisted the travelers. But by 1849, the number of settlers began to alarm the Indians. Whites killed or frightened away the wild animals, created massive grass fires on the Prairies, and introduced diseases. Some fighting broke out between Indians and settlers, and the US Army often intervened. During the 1860s, settlers were using the Bozeman Trail to reach Montana, where gold had been discovered. This increased the Indian attacks. Fort Phil Kearny was built in 1866, to keep the Bozeman Trail open. Sioux warriors led by Chief Red Cloud laid siege to the fort, forming what came to be known as the Circle of Death. Hundreds of soldiers died before a treaty was signed. The US gave up Fort Phil Kearny and two other forts. Then, the Indians agreed to allow the construction of the Union Pacific Railroad in southern Wyoming.
Wyoming’s mineral resources, especially gold, attracted many settlers even before the Indian fighting had ended. The growth of towns was fueled by the Union Pacific Railroad, which entered the area in 1867. In 1868, the Territory of Wyoming was created.
On July 10, 1890, Wyoming achieved statehood. This attracted many settlers to the state. Most of these people started small cattle ranches.