Buford is located on Interstate 80 between Cheyenne and Laramie. Its history can be explored through two closely connected themes: the railroad that shaped the town and the Ames Monument, a reminder of the construction of the transcontinental route. The railroad embankment, route alignment, and foundations of former railroad facilities add clues about past operations to the monument. Those interested in railroad and architectural history will find a clear thematic focus in Buford.

Buford Began as a Railroad Town

Buford was one of the railroad towns established in 1866 during the “Hell on Wheels” era. When the Union Pacific line reached Albany County, the railroad company established a station in Buford. Originally, the town was situated along the railroad lines on the approach to Sherman Hill Summit. This makes it possible to place its early history not only in time, but also in the context of the railroad routes of the period. After the railroad moved on, the population declined. The town’s historical status as a railroad town therefore describes a defining phase in Buford’s history; its population changed as the railroad moved on.

Routes and Traces of Railroad Operations

At the Buford stop, the railroad embankment is part of the original Union Pacific line. The modern main line runs 600 feet south of the stop. East of Buford, the tracks climb at 1.58 percent, one of the steepest grades on the Union Pacific. The Interstate also follows a railroad route: between the Buford stop and the next exit, it runs directly along the original Union Pacific alignment. For orientation, it is worth distinguishing between the routes: the railroad embankment belongs to the original line, the modern main line runs to the south of it, and I-80 again follows the old alignment between the stop and the next exit.

On the hill at the foot of the Ames Monument are the foundations of the roundhouse, turntable, second station, and water tank. Along with the railroad embankment, these structural traces bear witness to different railroad functions. The area around the Buford stop was also once a quarry that supplied much of the Union Pacific with “Sherman Granite.” In addition to the railroad facilities, the quarry reveals another aspect of the local railroad history: supplying the Union Pacific with Sherman Granite.

The Ames Monument

The Ames Monument was erected in 1881 in honor of Oliver and Oakes Ames. Both held influential leadership roles in the construction of the transcontinental railroad. Architect Henry Hobson Richardson designed the 60-foot-tall pyramidal granite monument. In July 2017, the structure was designated a National Historic Landmark. Its dedication and year of construction connect the monument to the Ames brothers and railroad construction; its architect, granite, pyramidal shape, and height describe its design. Its designation as a National Historic Landmark belongs to a different period than its construction in 1881. The monument can thus be understood both as a reminder of railroad construction and as an architectural object in its own right.

Getting to the Ames Monument

The route to the Ames Monument from I-80 is partly on a gravel road. Factor the road surface into your travel plans and check current access conditions before your visit.

Discover more destinations: Laramie.

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