October 24

1859 On October 24, 1859, voters of the Provisional Government of the Territory of Jefferson approved its formation and elected officials for the territory. Included in the territory was all of the present state of Colorado, plus parts of surrounding states, including Wyoming. The below map shows the boundaries of the proposed State of Jefferson.

1861 Between July and October 24, 1861, a telegraph line was constructed by the Western Union Company between St. Joseph, Missouri, and Sacramento, California. It was the first high speed communication link between the Atlantic and Pacific Coasts. In Wyoming, telegraph stations were built at Fort Laramie, Horse Shoe Creek, Deer Creek, Platte Bridge, Three Crossings, Rocky Ridge, Sweetwater Bridge, South Pass, Upper Crossing, Sand Creek, and Fort Bridger.