William Sturgis House facts for kids
Quick facts for kids |
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William Sturgis House
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The William Sturgis House in Cheyenne, Wyoming
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 Location in Wyoming
Location in the United States
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| Location | 821 E. 17th St., Cheyenne, Wyoming |
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| Area | less than one acre |
| Built | 1884 |
| Architect | George D. Rainsford |
| Architectural style | Shingle Style |
| NRHP reference No. | 82001833 |
| Added to NRHP | November 8, 1982 |
The William Sturgis House is a historic 19th-century mansion located in Cheyenne, Wyoming. Built in 1884, it stands as an outstanding example of American Shingle Style architecture in the western United States. It was constructed for William Sturgis, a wealthy rancher and business leader who helped shape the early economy of Wyoming.
Designed by architect George D. Rainsford, the building showcases a unique blend of coastal East Coast architectural design adapted for the frontier plains. In 1982, the property was officially added to the National Register of Historic Places due to its architectural value and historical connections to the American cattle boom.
Contents
History of the William Sturgis House in Wyoming
The Cattle Boom Era in Cheyenne
During the late 1800s, Cheyenne was one of the wealthiest cities per capita in the United States. The expansion of the transcontinental railroad and open grasslands made Wyoming a center for the beef cattle industry.
Investors from the eastern United States and Europe poured money into massive ranching operations. These wealthy cattle owners, often called cattle barons, built large mansions in Cheyenne to display their prosperity.
William Sturgis and His Business Ventures
William Sturgis moved from New York to Wyoming Territory in 1873. He partnered with his brother, Thomas Sturgis, to create major ranching enterprises, including the Northwestern Cattle Company and the Union Cattle Company.
Together, the Sturgis brothers helped establish the Wyoming Stock Growers Association, an influential organization that set rules for grazing, roundups, and cattle branding across the region.
Beyond ranching, William Sturgis invested in urban infrastructure:
- He served as a director in the Stockgrower's National Bank.
- He helped finance local mining exploration.
- He supported modern technology by investing in the Cheyenne Electric Light Company.
Hard Times and Ownership Changes
The cattle boom came to a sudden halt during the brutal winter of 1886–1887, often called the "Great Die-Up." Deep snow and freezing temperatures destroyed thousands of cattle across the northern plains.
Sturgis suffered severe financial setbacks from these herd losses. Consequently, he chose to sell his Cheyenne residence to fellow rancher John Whitaker, who maintained the estate for many years.
Architectural Features of the Historic Residence
Shingle Style Design Elements
The house is celebrated as a prime example of the Shingle Style, a movement that began on the New England coast. Architects favored natural materials, continuous wooden shingle surfaces, and asymmetrical shapes over rigid symmetry.
Key features of the William Sturgis House include:
- An asymmetric, L-shaped floor plan that rises two and a half stories high.
- A prominent combination of masonry and wood siding across different levels.
- A complex gabled roof with various projecting windows known as dormers.
- A rare "eyelid dormer," which curves smoothly over the main entryway like a sleeping eye.
Interior Layout and Craftsmanship
The interior of the house was planned around an open living hall, a central gathering area popular in late Victorian design.
Rather than using ordinary plaster or wallpaper, the interior hall walls were decorated with decorative wooden shingles cut into a fishscale pattern. This brought the rustic textures of the exterior into the primary living spaces.
Exterior Modifications Over Time
Originally, the ground level featured exposed red brick, while the upper levels displayed wooden shingles.
In later decades, owners applied a layer of stucco over the lower brick surfaces to protect the structure from harsh Wyoming weather and update its appearance. Despite these alterations, the original roofline and decorative dormers remain intact.
The Architect: George D. Rainsford
From New York Architecture to Western Ranching
George D. Rainsford was a trained architect from New York City who moved west to Wyoming in the late 1870s. Unlike many architects who worked full-time in design studios, Rainsford came west primarily to breed high-quality horses.
He established a successful ranch where he bred:
- Morgan horses, known for their strength, speed, and endurance.
- Clydesdales, heavy draft horses famous for their power in agricultural work.
Impact on Cheyenne Neighborhoods
While horse breeding occupied most of his working hours, Rainsford continued to accept architectural commissions for friends and business associates.
He designed numerous residences in the historic district of Cheyenne, introducing sophisticated architectural styles to the growing frontier town. The neighborhood around the Sturgis House still features multiple homes planned by Rainsford.
Preservation and Modern Legacy
National Recognition and Academic Study
In early publications such as American Architect, the house was originally attributed to New York architect William A. Bates. Architectural historian Vincent Scully later analyzed the residence in his studies on American residential design. Scully noted that the building was essential evidence showing how East Coast architectural trends spread rapidly into the American West.
On November 8, 1982, the property was listed on the National Register of Historic Places for its architectural importance.
Commercial and Technology Use in the 21st Century
In addition to serving as a private home, the building later transitioned into modern commercial use.
For several years ending in 2024, the mansion served as the corporate headquarters for GreenArrays, Inc., a technology firm founded by computer scientist Charles H. Moore, the inventor of the Forth programming language.
Summary of Property Facts
- Year Built: 1884
- Location: 821 E. 17th Street, Cheyenne, Wyoming
- Architect: George D. Rainsford
- Original Owner: William Sturgis
- Architectural Style: Shingle Style
- Historic Register Date: November 8, 1982
