Getting a home ready to sell does not always mean a remodel, a new kitchen, or thousands of dollars in upgrades. In fact, some of the things buyers notice most are surprisingly small. A burned-out
A Home With History: 802 E. 18th Street, Cheyenne, Wyoming
Dated: March 26 2026
Views: 1050
Have you ever driven around downtown and noticed the beautiful history? We recommend visiting 802 E. 18th Street in Cheyenne, which is a piece of Wyoming’s soul.
Where Cheyenne’s Past Comes to Life
The beautiful original woodwork speaks to craftsmanship simply not replicated today. The main-floor primary bedroom features a gorgeous bathroom, the finished attic offers flexible space for a home office or guest retreat, and the corner lot boasts mature landscaping and a private backyard patio. A three-car garage completes the package. But the real story of this home begins long before any of us were here to tell it.
This was once the home of Willis Van Devanter, one of the most influential jurists in American history. Originally from Indiana, he graduated second in his class from the University of Cincinnati Law School and arrived in Cheyenne in 1884, traveling the state by stagecoach to build a reputation as a tireless attorney.
He drafted the bill that funded the Capitol Building in Cheyenne and established the University of Wyoming in Laramie, revised the territorial statutes, and served in the Territorial Legislature. At just thirty, President Benjamin Harrison appointed him Chief Justice of the Wyoming Territorial Supreme Court.
Van Devanter’s rise was inseparable from his friendship with Senator Francis E. Warren, who recognized in him a rare combination of legal genius and political savvy.
He made his mark in two landmark Wyoming cases. As lead attorney in the Johnson County War of 1892, he engineered the dismissal of all charges against the cattlemen invaders. In the 1896 Race Horse case, he argued before the U.S. Supreme Court on behalf of Wyoming against Bannock tribal hunting rights, winning a 7-1 decision that proved a serious blow to tribal sovereignty.
Warren helped him secure an appointment as Assistant Attorney General under President McKinley in 1897, and in 1903, President Roosevelt named him to the Eighth Circuit Court of Appeals
The Appointment That Almost Wasn’t
When a Supreme Court seat opened in 1910, Warren lobbied Taft on Van Devanter’s behalf. Taft hesitated, concerned Van Devanter had not written enough opinions. Van Devanter’s measured response apparently won the president over, and on December 12, 1910, Taft nominated him as Associate Justice. He was confirmed three days later and sworn in on January 3, 1911.
Van Devanter became the first United States Supreme Court Justice from Wyoming and remains the only justice ever appointed to the high court from the state.
A Remarkable Piece of History
Van Devanter had a remarkable life with this amazing home located at 802 E. 18th Street. It is a rare opportunity to own a home woven into the very fabric of Wyoming history and is a must-see.
Schedule a showing by reaching out to Janelle Parish
307-226-2511
307-226-2511
802 E. 18th Street | Cheyenne, WY 82001
4 Bedrooms | 3 Bathrooms | 3-Car Garage | Finished Attic | Corner Lot | Private Backyard Patio
4 Bedrooms | 3 Bathrooms | 3-Car Garage | Finished Attic | Corner Lot | Private Backyard Patio
Tara Nelson
I earned my Bachelor of Arts degree in Mass Communications with an emphasis in Photography, Journalism, and Computer Publishing from Black Hills State University. I have a strong eye for quality and t....
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