In a world where escalators are as common as elevator music, Wyoming stands defiantly apart. The entire state—all 97,914 square miles of it—has exactly two escalators. Not two dozen. Not two hundred. Two.

Both of Wyoming's escalators live in downtown Casper, housed in bank buildings like rare museum pieces. One resides in the First Interstate Bank building (built in 1958), the other in Hilltop National Bank (opened in 1979). No new escalator has been installed in Wyoming in over 40 years.

Why So Few?

The answer isn't some anti-escalator conspiracy—it's pure math. Wyoming has the lowest population density in the continental United States, with just 5.85 people per square mile. When you don't have crowds of people or many multi-story buildings, escalators become expensive novelties rather than necessities.

Most Wyoming towns are spread-out, single-story affairs. Shopping malls, airports, and office towers—the usual escalator habitats—are rare. Even the state capital, Cheyenne, lost its third escalator when a JCPenney relocated.

Banking on Escalators

So why do two banks have them? Both were built during the optimistic expansion era of the 1950s-70s, when architects designed multi-story downtown buildings that rivaled big-city counterparts. The First Interstate Bank building stretches eight stories high—a genuine skyscraper by Wyoming standards.

Hilltop Bank takes maintenance seriously, keeping an annual contract with Otis Worldwide to inspect and maintain their mechanical unicorn. When you're one of two, you can't afford to break down.

A Moving Market

In early 2024, one of Wyoming's precious escalators literally went on the market. First Interstate Bank listed their eight-story building—escalator included—for $8.8 million as they consolidated downtown operations. The listing essentially offered half of Wyoming's escalator infrastructure for sale.

This quirky statistic has made Wyoming's escalators minor celebrities. Tourists occasionally make pilgrimages to Casper just to ride them, treating the experience like a theme park attraction. Local TikTokers document visits. It's the kind of weird flex only Wyoming can claim.

The Broader Picture

Wyoming isn't alone in its escalator scarcity, though it leads the pack. Several other rural states have surprisingly few:

Montana: estimated under 10 escalators
South Dakota: around 15 escalators
North Dakota: roughly 20 escalators

Compare this to urban states where a single shopping mall might contain more escalators than Wyoming has in total. The difference reflects America's vast geographic and demographic diversity—and reminds us that not every modern convenience is actually universal.

So next time you're gliding up an escalator at the airport or mall, spare a thought for Wyoming. In the Cowboy State, taking the stairs isn't just healthy—it's pretty much the only option.

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