The Virginian Hotel was built in 1911. At the time, it was a major hotel on the Union Pacific, and soon thereafter a major hotel on the Lincoln Highway. Indeed, when first built it was one of the largest hotels on both routes, although the near contemporary Plains Hotel in Cheyenne was larger.
The reason for the hotel's location is evident from the photograph below, which also appears on our companion Railhead blog. The hotel is directly across from the Union Pacific train station, which would have made it a very convenient stop for travelers.
This arrangement was the archetype of pre 1950 hotel location. Most long distance travel was by rail, and those who got off the train were often looking at a short walk to a hotel, or at most a short coach ride.
The Virginian is an exception to the rule in that it remains a going concern. It's still a significant hotel in Medicine Bow, although Medicine Bow is neither as isolated or important as it once was. The hotel and restaurant are still stops for weary travelers.
Photographs from our Flickr site.
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