The Plains Hotel
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The Plains Hotel Employees
The Plains Hotel Details
2006, Cheyenne, Wyoming The Plains Hotel was opened in 1911 as Cheyenne's premiere, full-service hotel. Designed by noted Wyoming architect William Dubois, the Plains' refinement was extraordinary for its day and location, in a town just a few decades removed from a wild West tent city. Distinctive, classic architectural treatments and features such as the Range Room, dining and banquet facilities, Wigwam Lounge, two-story lobby atrium with a stained-glass skylight, and finely appointed guest rooms made the Plains Hotel unequaled in the region. The building was five stories high with three elevators and a basement. The public rooms were enhanced by mahogany in colonial style with plush carpets, and tile and marble accents. The clerk's desk was solid marble, guarded by an expensive bronze figure stated to be an art masterpiece. The dining room was equipped with windows of art glass, a mahogany buffet, and tables and chairs to seat 85 guests. The sleeping rooms were arranged with the comfort of the guests in mind, and it was advertised that even the slightest details were looked after. Each room had colonial furniture or massive brass beds, a telephone and access to a bathroom, if desired. With furnishings, it cost approximately $250,000. In its heyday, the Plains Hotel was the social hub of Wyoming's Capitol City and a center of government and politics. It was a favored destination of travelers and catered to the state's early captains of the mining, oil and cattle industries. The Plains afforded its special hospitality to leading members of government, politics, civic activities and the arts, and offered simple but elegant accommodations for travelers on their way to the Black Hills, Yellowstone National Park, and the Grand Tetons. It was the center of Cheyenne's social life, hosting weddings, receptions, bar mitzvahs, and galas of every description. It was also the center of civic life and home to club meetings featuring noted speakers of the day. Over the years, many pillars of society have been guests at the Plains Hotel, including Presidents Truman, Nixon and Reagan. Hollywood hit the Plains in 1964 when the actors, producers and creators of the movie "Cheyenne Autumn" gathered for the world premier. The guest list included such notables as Carroll Baker, Karl Malden, Pay Wayne, Sal Mineo, Ricardo Montalban, Delores Del Rio and Jimmy Stewart. The logo long associated with the hotel is a portrait of the Arapahoe Chief, Little Shield. The original painting can still be viewed in the main lobby, along with a hand-tinted J.E. Stinson photograph in the Trail Coffee Shoppe. Chief Little Shield was known for his personality, good looks and oratorical abilities. He was both a warrior and a peace maker, and a frequent visitor to the Plains Hotel. The art on display at the Plains is centered on Wyoming and ranges from paleontology specimens that are more than 300 million years old to new works by living artists. The skylight in the atrium depicts the planets and sun viewed from Cheyenne as Haley's Comet appeared while the hotel was being designed. The Plains Hotel is located on the historic Lincoln Highway, also known as Lincolnway; it was the first transcontinental road, connecting New York City to San Francisco. The Plains sits directly across from the historic Union Pacific Railroad Depot. Like many early western towns, Cheyenne sprang up in the path of the transcontinental railroad as it crossed the high plains on its way west. The knee-high prairie grass was discovered to be excellent forage for cattle, and soon the booming livestock industry was attracting significant investment by eastern and foreign cattle barons, bringing wealth and elegance to Cheyenne. They built huge mansions and established fine hotels, restaurants, private clubs, theaters, and the first opera house west of the Mississippi River. Today, museums and historic sites bring the colorful legends to life, offering a taste of the rich heritage and a chance to relive the Old West spirit. Because of its cultural significance and commitment to preservation, the Plains Hotel has been recognized by the National Park Service on the list of National Register of Historic Places within the downtown Cheyenne Historic District. Many of these historical facts were taken from the book, "The Historic Plains Hotel," which is available for purchase in the Trail Coffee Shoppe in the main lobby of the hotel. Built in 1911, the historic Plains Hotel in Cheyenne, Wyoming, features 131 beautifully appointed guest rooms and suites, allowing guests to experience the spirit of the west in elegant style. Professionally operated by Providence Hospitality Partners, LLC in Denver, Colorado.
