Cheyenne Mayors

History

On August 8, 1867, the first charter for the government of the City of Cheyenne was established after a group of citizens had met the day before at a mass meeting. On August 10, 1867, Hiram M. Hook, a livery stable owner, was elected Cheyenne’s first-ever Mayor. At the time, Cheyenne was situated in the Dakota Territory and had a population of approximately 600 people.

For most of the 19th century, Cheyenne’s top elected official served a one-year term. During the early 20th century a Mayor's term was extended to two years. It wasn’t until the mid 20th century that a four-year term became customary.

Mayor was the title initially given to Cheyenne’s top elected official and was used from 1867 to 1869. However, from 1870 to 1877 the title of President was used. During that time, the City Council was referred to as the Board of Trustees. Since 1878, each elected official has been given the title of Mayor.   

Former Cheyenne Mayors (from L-R): Ben Nelson, Worth Story, Jim Van Velzor, Floyd Holland, R.E. Cheever, unidentified man, Herb Kingham, Bill Nation, and Val Christensen

Joseph M. Carey and Francis E. Warren served as Cheyenne’s 15th and 16th Mayor, respectively. Their time at City Hall was a precursor for other political offices. Both Carey and Warren were later elected to serve as Wyoming’s Governor and in the U.S. Senate. Carey also served in the U.S. House of Representatives.  

The legacy of former Mayors can be seen throughout the City. Various streets, parks, buildings, and amenities throughout Cheyenne bare the namesake of a former Mayor. This includes, but is not limited to:

  • Sloan Lake
  • Carey Avenue
  • Judge Joseph M. Carey Cheyenne City Center
  • Warren Avenue
  • F.E. Warren Air Force Base
  • Allison Hall at First United Methodist Church
  • Keefe Row
  • Holliday Park
  • Christensen Road
  • Nationway
  • George Cox Parking Facility
  • Leo Pando Park
  • Jack R. Spiker Parking Facility

Six individuals have served non-consecutive terms, with L.R. Bresnahan being elected five different times. The last Mayor to serve non-consecutive terms was Bill Nation (1962-66 and 1973-77).

Former Cheyenne Mayors during City's 150 year celebration. Standing from L-R: Gary Schaeffer, Leo A. Pando, Jack R. Spiker, Don Erickson, Richard L. Kaysen. Sitting from L-R: Bill Nation and Marian Orr

Francis E. Warren (Jan. 1885 to March 1885) holds the distinction of shortest Mayoral term while the longest belongs to Don Erickson (1977-1989). 

During Cheyenne's sesquicentennial celebration in 2017, a Mayors' Roundtable was held at the historic Atlas Theatre. The event featured Mayors Bill Nation, Don Erickson, Gary Schaeffer, Leo A. Pando, Jack R. Spiker, Richard L. Kaysen, and Marian Orr. Video of the Mayors' Roundtable can be found here

Presently, the Mayor is elected at-large every four years. 

 

List of Cheyenne Mayors

  1. Hiram M. Hook, August 1867 to January 1868
  2.  Luke MurrinJanuary 1868 to January 1869
  3. W.M. SlaughterJanuary 1869 to December 1869
  4. J.H. Martin, December 1869 to December 1870
  5. Jervis Joslin, January 1871 to January 1872
  6. M. Sloan, January 1872 to January 1873
  7. M.V. Boughten, January 1873 to January 1874
  8. George Cassels, January 1874 to January 1875
  9. I.C. WhippleJanuary 1875 to January 1876
  10. L.R. BresnahenJanuary 1876 to January 1877
  11. Dwight Fisk, January 1877 to January 1878
  12. L.R. Bresnahen (2), January 1878 to January 1879
  13. L.R. Bresnahen (3), January 1879 to January 1880
  14. F.E. AddomsJanuary 1880 to January 1881
  15. Joseph M. Carey, January 1881 to January 1885
  16. Francis E. Warren, January 1885 to March 1885
  17. A.H. ReelMarch 1885 to January 1887
  18. Charles W. RinerJanuary 1887 to January 1891
  19. L.R. Bresnahen (4), January 1891 to January 1893
  20. Ed F. StahleJanuary 1893 to January 1895
  21. Samuel MerrillJanuary 1895 to January 1897
  22. William R. Schnitger, January 1897 to February 1901
  23. J.L. MurrayFebruary 1901 to January 1903
  24. M.P. KeefeJanuary 1903 to December 1904
  25. Daniel Webster Gill, December 1904 to January 1907
  26. P.S. Cook, January 1907 to January 1911
  27. L.R. Bresnahen (5)January 1911 to January 1913
  28. Daniel Webster Gill (2), January 1913 to January 1914
  29. R.N. La FountaineJanuary 1914 to January 1918
  30. Edward W. StoneJanuary 1918 to January 1920
  31. Ed P. TaylorJanuary 1920 to January 1924
  32. Archie Allison, January 1924 to January 1926
  33. Charles W. Riner (2), January 1926 to January 1930
  34. Cal HollidayJanuary 1930 to January 1932
  35. J.F. WeybrechtJanuary 1932 to January 1934
  36. Archie Allison (2), January 1934 to January 1940
  37. Ed Warren, January 1940 to January 1944
  38. Ira L. HannaJanuary 1944 to September 1944
  39. Bruce S. JonesSeptember 1944 to January 1946
  40. John J. McInerney, January 1946 to January 1948
  41. Ben NelsonJanuary 1948 to March 1951
  42. Edward Gowdy, March 1951 to June 1951 *acting Mayor*
  43. Ed Warren (2), June 1951 to January 1952
  44. R.E. CheeverJanuary 1952 to January 1954
  45. Val S. ChristensenJanuary 1954 to January 1958
  46. Worth StoryJanuary 1958 to January 1962
  47. Bill NationJanuary 1962 to January 1966
  48. Herbert KinghamJanuary 1966 to January 1968
  49. George R. CoxJanuary 1968 to August 1969
  50. Floyd HollandAugust 1969 to January 1972
  51. James D. Van Velzor, January 1972 to January 1973
  52. Bill Nation (2), January 1973 to January 1977
  53. Don EricksonJanuary 1977 to January 1989
  54. Gary N. SchaefferJanuary 1989 to January 1993
  55. Leo A. PandoJanuary 1993 to January 2001
  56. Jack R. SpikerJanuary 2001 to January 2009
  57. Richard L. KaysenJanuary 2009 to January 2017
  58. Marian J. OrrJanuary 2017 to January 2021
  59. Patrick Collins, January 2021 to present