Historic homes: Warren’s structures still stand

  • Published
  • By Courtesy of Warren's ICBM & Heritage Museum
  • 90th Missile Wing
F.E. Warren AFB, Wyo. --  Warren is the oldest continuously active military installation within the Air Force.
It's home to the 90th Missile Wing and Headquarters, Twentieth Air Force, of Air Force Space Command. 

Fort D.A. Russell, the Air Force Base predecessor, was established in 1867, but it was recognized as a permanent post in 1884 because of its strategic location. 

In 1885, the War Department ordered the post be rebuilt to serve eight infantry companies. The Army built 27 red brick buildings for $100,000, to replace the older wood frame structures, and planted thousands of trees. The last expansion of the base took place in the early 20th century when large barracks along Randall Avenue were constructed. 

Many of the early brick buildings were stables that housed nearly 20,000 horses and mules. From 1885 to 1930, more than 220 brick buildings were erected; all remain in use today. 

The base maintains the historic exterior of each building with appropriate interior modifications for today's living and working environment. 

Because of the lasting integrity of the base's historic architecture and setting, the central core of the base was listed on the National Register of Historic Places in 1975 and the base was designated a National Historic Landmark. 

The city of Cheyenne also has former military homes that were once tied to another historic, but often forgotten, military outpost near Cheyenne, called Cheyenne Depot. It was also known unofficially as Camp Carlin. 

The Depot was founded in 1867 and operated until 1890 when it closed. At its peak, it was the second largest commissary in the Army, and it serviced forts and posts within a 400-mile radius. The homes located in Cheyenne were sold to Cheyenne citizens and relocated. 

The houses were sold July 15, 1901, under the charge of a Quartermaster Keith with a Sergeant Pierpont as auctioneer. Prices ranged from $40 for a one story house to $72 to $85 for a two story house. 

The Senator Francis E. Warren, for whom the Air Force base is named today, commented in the October 29, 1901, edition of the Cheyenne Daily Leader some thirty or forty houses and other buildings obtained from Fort Russell were purchased and reconstructed in Cheyenne. 

In latter years, people at Warren AFB sold a series of white wooden chapels constructed during World War II when the base was an Army training post. 

The Chapels were of similar construction, a one-story and balcony wood frame construction, with a capacity of 3278.52 square feet plus an additional 444 square feet allocated for the balcony. 

After World War II, the wooden structures were sold. One chapel was moved to Dell Range Boulevard across from the Wyoming Air National Guard, another to Sunny Side Baptist Church near Highway 30, and a third was relocated to 19th street. A fourth chapel is reputed to have burned down.