Wyoming State Archives Speaker Series Explores the Perilous Cheyenne-Deadwood Trail

CHEYENNE, Wyo. – Nov. 10, 2025 – The Wyoming State Archives Speaker Series presents "The Dangerous Road to Riches: The Cheyenne-Deadwood Trail," featuring local historian Jim Allison on Thursday, Nov. 13, 2025, at 7:00 p.m.

The discovery of gold in the Black Hills in the 1870s triggered one of the most intense scrambles for riches in American history. Allison will share stories of the danger and violence that marked this treacherous route as fortune seekers rushed northward from Cheyenne to the goldfields of Deadwood.

Jim Allison is a fifth-generation Wyoming native born and raised in Cheyenne. He earned a BA in Anthropology from the University of Wyoming and an MA in Historical Archaeology from the University of Leicester.

Attendance Options:

• In-Person: Wyoming State Museum classroom, 2301 Central Avenue, Cheyenne
• Virtual: Register at eventbrite.com/o/wyoming-state-archives-49902991693

Virtual and in-person attendees are encouraged to ask questions during the presentation. This event is free and open to the public.

The Wyoming State Archives Speaker Series hosts presentations on the second Thursday of each month at 7 p.m., offering both in-person and virtual attendance options. For the complete events calendar and upcoming topics, visit wyoarchives.wyo.gov/index.php/about-archives/events.

The Wyoming State Archives collects, manages, and preserves Wyoming state public records with long-term administrative, legal, and historical value. These records document our state's history and the activities of Wyoming Government offices. The Archives also acquires non-government records that enhance understanding of Wyoming's rich heritage.

For more information or to request special assistance, contact Wyoming State Archivist Sara Davis or visit wyoarchives.wyo.gov. The Wyoming State Archives is fully accessible in accordance with the Americans with Disabilities Act.