You’ll find Buford, Wyoming perched at 8,000 feet in the Laramie Mountains, where it once thrived as a bustling railroad town of 2,000 residents. After Union Pacific relocated its tracks in 1918, the town gradually dwindled to just one inhabitant, earning its fame as America’s smallest town. Since 2012, it’s stood as a ghost town, though its trading post still serves travelers between Laramie and Cheyenne. The site’s evolution from railroad stop to Vietnamese coffee hub tells an intriguing tale of Western transformation.
Key Takeaways
- Buford became a ghost town in 2012 when its last resident left, after being known as America’s smallest town with one inhabitant.
- Originally established as a railroad stop, Buford peaked at 2,000 residents in 1866 during the transcontinental railroad construction.
- The town’s decline began in 1918 when Union Pacific relocated tracks three miles south, leading to population loss.
- Vietnamese entrepreneur Phạm Đình Nguyên purchased Buford for $900,000 in 2012, transforming it into “PhinDeli Town Buford” for coffee distribution.
- Located at 8,000 feet elevation between Laramie and Cheyenne, Buford now operates solely as a trading post for highway travelers.
From Railroad Stop to Ghost Town: A Historical Journey
Perched high in the Wyoming Territory along the first transcontinental railroad, Buford emerged as a critical railroad stop where trains navigated the challenging Sherman Hill Summit.
You’ll find its railroad history deeply intertwined with the engineering marvel of the Dale Creek Bridge, which stood as the world’s highest railroad bridge in 1868. The town bustled with activity as trains slowed for safety inspections and engine changes, while nearby facilities supported the railroad’s operations with a turntable and roundhouse. The area’s elevation required careful navigation, much like the historic Sherman Summit Pass that posed similar challenges for early railroads. Like many entries about historic locations, Buford required a disambiguation page to distinguish it from other places sharing the same name.
But when Union Pacific relocated its tracks three miles south in 1918, Buford’s strategic importance faded.
The once-vital railroad stop gradually lost its population until 2012, when its last resident departed, transforming this piece of American railroad history into a haunting ghost town.
Life at 8,000 Feet: The Geographic Setting
While Buford’s railroad legacy shaped its early history, the town’s remarkable geographic setting at nearly 8,000 feet above sea level defined its character and challenges.
You’ll find this remote outpost nestled in Wyoming’s rugged Laramie Mountains, where thin air and extreme weather tested the resilience of its inhabitants. Visitors to the site today must complete identity verification before accessing certain preserved historical areas.
Perched between Laramie and Cheyenne along Interstate 80, Buford sits near Sherman Hill Summit, the highest point on the transcontinental route.
The altitude challenges are evident in the harsh mountain climate, where winter snows blanket the coniferous forests and alpine shrubs that dot the landscape. Modern elevation data shows the area ranges from 2,318 meters at its lowest point.
The mountain vegetation thrives despite the demanding conditions, much like the hardy settlers who once called this place home.
From this elevated vantage point, you’ll understand why life at Buford required exceptional determination and adaptability.
The Town That Became One
Although Buford began as a bustling railroad settlement of 2,000 residents in 1866, it gradually transformed into America’s smallest town with just one inhabitant. Named after Union General Buford, the town stands as a testament to its Civil War heritage.
The town’s evolution from railroad hub to ghost town reflects the changing face of the American West. Don Sammons, who purchased Buford in 1992, became its sole resident and keeper of its railroad history until 2012. Current owner Mintu Pradher is now expanding the property with Airbnb renovations to accommodate temporary visitors.
Here’s what made Buford unique during its one-man era:
- Highest elevation railroad town in America at 8,000 feet
- Last operating business along the original transcontinental railroad route
- Generated substantial revenue as an Interstate 80 tourist stop
- Attracted global attention, eventually selling for $900,000 to a Vietnamese entrepreneur
Trading Hands: Ownership Changes Through Time
Since its founding in 1866, Buford’s ownership has mirrored the dramatic shifts in America’s western frontier towns.
You’ll find its ownership dynamics have evolved from a bustling railroad community of 2,000 residents to a single-owner enterprise under Don Sammons, who purchased the town in 1992 for $155,000.
The community legacy took an unexpected turn when Sammons sold Buford at auction in 2012 for $900,000 to Vietnamese entrepreneur Phạm Đình Nguyên, who rebranded it as “PhinDeli Town Buford.”
Under Nguyên’s distant ownership, local manager Jason Hirsh operated the town’s store and gas station until his resignation, leading to completely abandoned conditions.
Today, the property operates as Buford Trading Post under new owner Jason.
The Vietnamese Coffee Connection
You’ll find it remarkable that in 2013, Vietnamese entrepreneur Pham Dinh Nguyen purchased Buford, Wyoming for $900,000 through a global online auction, transforming America’s smallest town into “PhinDeli Town Buford.”
Working with former owner Don Sammons, who stayed on as co-mayor, Nguyen established a unique Vietnamese coffee distribution hub along Interstate 80. The live online auction drew interest from potential buyers across 46 countries. The business planned to sell imported Vietnamese coffee through the town’s sole convenience store.
The venture bridged East and West by combining Wyoming’s frontier spirit with Vietnamese coffee culture, while using Buford’s distinctive status as a marketing centerpiece for their international coffee brand.
PhinDeli’s Global Business Venture
When Vietnamese businessman Pham Dinh Nguyen purchased Buford, Wyoming in 2012 for $900,000, he transformed America’s smallest town into an unlikely outpost for Vietnamese coffee culture.
The PhinDeli branding strategy centered on creating a unique bridge between East and West, using this remote Wyoming location as a launchpad for global expansion.
You’ll find these key elements of PhinDeli’s ambitious business venture:
- The establishment of an exclusive U.S. point of sale at Buford’s Trading Post
- A strategic partnership with former owner Don Sammons as co-mayor
- Distribution through Amazon.com to reach nationwide markets
- Plans for expansion into major U.S. grocery chains
The venture represented more than just selling coffee – it symbolized a remarkable post-war reconciliation through commerce, with Vietnam War veteran Sammons helping lead PhinDeli’s American dream.
Vietnamese Roots Meet Wyoming
Deep in the heart of Wyoming, the fusion of Vietnamese coffee culture and American frontier spirit created an unexpected alliance at PhinDeli Town Buford.
When businessman Nguyen Dinh Pham purchased America’s smallest town in 2012, he brought more than just a coffee brand – he introduced a cultural fusion that bridges East and West.
You’ll find the essence of this entrepreneurial spirit in PhinDeli’s approach, which combines traditional Vietnamese “phin” filtering methods with American marketing sensibilities.
The brand’s coffee statement echoes the Declaration of Independence, while its name merges Vietnamese heritage with universal appeal.
Remnants of a Bygone Era: What Stands Today
While most of Buford’s original railroad settlement structures have vanished, you’ll find the Buford Trading Post still serving highway travelers as the town’s primary commercial anchor.
Today’s visitors can spot the trading post’s fuel islands and convenience store at 8,000 feet elevation along Interstate 80, making it the highest settlement on this major cross-country route.
The sole house that belonged to Buford’s last resident has undergone recent renovations for future rental use, marking a shift from the town’s “Population 1” era.
Standing Structures Today
Today’s Buford stands as a shadow of its former self, with only a handful of structures remaining from what was once a bustling railroad town of 2,000 residents.
The most prominent standing structure is the Buford Trading Post, which has evolved from a simple gas station into a modernized fuel stop with a diesel island.
You’ll find these distinct remnants of Buford’s past:
- The trading post building, which has housed various businesses including a Vietnamese coffee shop
- Dilapidated residential structures that stand as silent witnesses to the town’s abandoned state
- Scattered railroad-era foundations marking the historical transcontinental route
- Basic infrastructure supporting the trading post, including highway access and minimal utilities
The town’s remaining structures tell a story of decline, with no permanent residents since 2012.
Historical Markers Remain
Throughout Buford and its surrounding region, historical markers stand as silent storytellers of Wyoming’s railroad heritage.
You’ll find the iconic Ames Monument at 8,247 feet, marking the highest point of the original Union Pacific route and commemorating the brothers who helped build it.
The town’s cultural heritage lives on through its “Population 1” sign and markers that chronicle its decline from 2,000 residents to abandonment.
At Old Sherman Cemetery, tombstones dating to the 1800s reveal the lives of early settlers and railroad workers.
As you explore the area’s historical significance, you’ll discover markers at Sherman Hill Summit, ghost town remnants, and commemorative plaques that trace Buford’s evolution from bustling railroad stop to modern ghost town.
The Legacy of America’s Smallest Town
Despite its diminutive size, Buford, Wyoming carved out a remarkable legacy as America’s smallest town, gaining international attention during its 2012 auction that drew interest from 84 countries.
The town’s cultural significance and economic impact extend far beyond its 10-acre boundaries, telling a uniquely American story of transformation and resilience.
You’ll find Buford’s legacy reflected in these enduring elements:
- A tribute to the rise and fall of railroad towns, shifting from 2,000 residents to just one
- A symbol of pioneer spirit, surviving at 8,000 feet elevation along Interstate 80
- A crucial rest stop serving 1,000 daily travelers between Laramie and Cheyenne
- A preserved slice of Western history, including its 1905 schoolhouse and Civil War namesake
Following the Tracks: Historical Landmarks Around Buford
The historical landmarks surrounding Buford tell a compelling story of America’s westward expansion, with remnants of the transcontinental railroad serving as silent witnesses to the region’s transformation.
As you explore the area, you’ll discover the iconic Ames Monument, a stone pyramid commemorating the railroad’s influential builders, standing proudly near the ghost town of Sherman.
The active Union Pacific tracks, among the nation’s busiest, still follow their original route past Buford toward Sherman Hill Summit. You can trace this railroad legacy through scattered ruins, abandoned cemeteries, and the historic Buford Trading Post, which once served countless travelers.
The nearby Medicine Bow Mountains provide a dramatic backdrop to these historic sites, where the spirits of Civil War veterans, railroad workers, and frontier settlers linger in the Wyoming wind.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is It Legal to Explore the Abandoned Buildings in Buford?
You can’t legally explore these abandoned structures without permission since they’re privately owned. While they may look deserted, you’ll need explicit consent from the owner to avoid trespassing charges.
What Happened to the Original Railroad Tracks Through Buford?
While you might think they’re still there, the original tracks were removed after UP built the Harriman line in 1953, though you can still see old embankments south of the ghost town.
Were Any Famous Outlaws or Historical Figures Ever in Buford?
You won’t find any documented evidence of famous outlaws or historical figures in Buford. The town’s history centers on its railroad operations rather than any notable personalities or legendary characters.
Does Anyone Maintain the Cemetery or Graves in Buford?
You won’t find organized cemetery maintenance or grave preservation efforts there today. The crumbling headstones and untended grounds reflect years of abandonment, with no official caretaker overseeing the historic plots.
Can Visitors Still Get Drinking Water From Buford’s Original Wells?
You shouldn’t drink from the original wells – they’re abandoned and haven’t been tested for water quality. While they have historical significance, these untreated water sources could be unsafe for consumption.
References
- https://kingfm.com/wyomings-smallest-town-has-been-completely-abandoned/
- http://www.theghosttownhunter.com/bufordwy.html
- https://www.visitlaramie.org/plan-your-visit/cities-and-towns/buford/
- https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Buford
- https://theoutline.com/post/5605/ghost-town-owners-12-million
- https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Sherman
- https://www.laramiedepot.org/history
- https://www.hmdb.org/m.asp?m=89646
- https://www.topozone.com/wyoming/albany-wy/city/buford-11/
- https://en-gb.topographic-map.com/map-l3twf3/PhinDeli-Town-Buford/
