You’ll find Lincoln County’s abandoned treasures scattered across its historic landscape, from Piedmont’s 1867 charcoal kilns to the haunting remains of Jeffrey City’s uranium boom. The area’s rich mining heritage comes alive through well-preserved sites like Sublet Mine No. 6, which operated from 1913 to 1927, featuring innovative tunnel networks and diverse immigrant stories. These forgotten places, shaped by railroad expansion and economic cycles, offer glimpses into Wyoming’s dramatic past waiting to be explored.
Key Takeaways
- Piedmont’s historic charcoal kilns, built in 1867, offer well-preserved remnants of Wyoming’s railroad history and unique photography opportunities.
- Jeffrey City, once a thriving uranium boom town, now stands mostly abandoned with vacant buildings telling stories of economic rise and fall.
- The Sublet Mine No. 6 site features innovative mining infrastructure and tunnel networks from 1913-1927, showcasing early industrial engineering.
- Dana’s ghost town preserves the legacy of Wyoming’s only majority African American coal mining community from the 1880s.
- The historic Haddenham Cabin demonstrates pioneer architecture and settlement life through its weathered structural remains.
The Rise and Fall of Piedmont’s Railroad Legacy
While the transcontinental railroad transformed America’s western frontier, the small Wyoming settlement of Piedmont emerged in 1867 as an important support hub for the Union Pacific Railroad’s westward expansion.
Piedmont, Wyoming grew from frontier wilderness into a vital railroad town, powering America’s ambitious cross-country rail expansion.
Much like Piedmont, Italy’s emergence as a machine building powerhouse, this Wyoming town defined itself through industrial innovation.
Mormon pioneer Moses Byrne founded the settlement, initially naming it after himself, and established six beehive-shaped kilns for charcoal production that would fuel both locomotives and Utah Valley smelters.
You’ll find Piedmont’s history deeply intertwined with railroad innovation, as the town thrived by providing essential wood and water to steam engines.
The settlement grew to include stores, saloons, and numerous log homes supporting the bustling industry.
The town’s telegraph office played a vital role in railroad communications and coordinating train movements.
However, when the railroad rerouted north in 1901 and industrial processes shifted from charcoal to coke, Piedmont’s prominence faded.
Exploring Sublet Mine No. 6: A Coal Mining Time Capsule
Deep beneath Wyoming’s rugged terrain, Sublet Mine No. 6 stands as a tribute to the region’s coal mining heritage. From 1913 to 1927, this Lincoln County operation showcased innovative mining techniques, including “room and pillar” extraction and controlled explosions.
You’ll find evidence of four interconnected tunnel networks that once facilitated coal transport and ventilation. After 1918, electric locomotives replaced horse-drawn transport within the mine’s tunnels. The mine’s workforce was remarkably diverse, with immigrant laborers from Italy, Japan, Austria, and Poland forming the majority.
While the mine’s technological advances were impressive, they couldn’t prevent tragedy. The devastating powder house explosion of 1920 claimed eight lives, highlighting the era’s dangerous working conditions.
Beyond the tunnels, you’ll discover the remnants of a vibrant company town where miners and their families built their lives.
Though the mine’s closure in 1927 reflected the broader decline of Wyoming’s coal communities, Sublet No. 6’s preserved infrastructure continues to tell the story of early 20th-century American mining.
Historic Maps Reveal Lincoln County’s Lost Communities
You’ll discover Lincoln County’s complex evolution through early maps showing its transformation from Uinta County in 1911 and subsequent township boundary shifts.
The region’s rich fossil deposits found in the Green River Formation offer clues to the area’s ancient underwater past. Historic maps from the 1930s reveal how railroad towns like Lost Springs emerged and declined, creating a network of settlements tied to natural resources and transportation routes. Similar to uranium mining towns, Jeffrey City experienced a dramatic 95% population drop by 1986 when the mining market collapsed.
The WPA and Bishop map series document the pattern of ghost settlements across Lincoln County, showing how once-thriving communities faded as mining operations ceased and economic conditions changed.
Early Township Boundary Changes
Before Lincoln County emerged from Uinta County‘s northern territory in 1911, the region’s township boundaries underwent significant transformations that would shape Wyoming’s modern landscape.
As you explore the area’s township evolution, you’ll find that the General Land Office‘s boundary surveys between 1886 and 1911 established essential frameworks for settlement and development.
The original territory stretched roughly 110 miles north-south and 30 miles wide, covering about 2,500 square miles.
You’ll notice how these early divisions created a complex grid of townships and sections, though many surveys remained incomplete.
By 1921, when Sublette and Teton counties formed from Lincoln’s territory, numerous township lines shifted dramatically.
These changes didn’t just redraw maps – they fragmented established communities and altered the fabric of local governance, leaving some historic townships disconnected from their original county associations.
The region’s development was further influenced by pioneers like Justin Pomeroy, who became the first agricultural settler in 1874.
Railroad Town Location Evolution
As township boundaries evolved across Lincoln County, the arrival of railroads fundamentally reshaped the region’s settlement patterns.
You’ll find railroad naming trends reflected in towns like Lusk, founded in 1886, and Gillette, renamed from Donkey Town after a railroad surveyor. These settlements grew around strategic rail stops, with their infrastructure evolution driven by the needs of steam locomotives and shipping operations. Steam engines required regular water refills during their journeys, making water stops essential.
The Burlington Route‘s westward expansion through Newcastle in 1889 triggered a wave of development, connecting towns to essential coal, lumber, and agricultural markets. The CB&Q established experimental farms to promote dry farming techniques that would attract more settlers to the region.
You’ll notice how railroad infrastructure – from prefabricated depots to water tanks and rail yards – determined town layouts and economic prospects.
While some rail-dependent communities thrived along major lines, others faded into abandonment when rail traffic declined or alternative transportation emerged.
Ghost Settlement Pattern Mapping
Through detailed analysis of over 250 historic maps spanning from 1885 to the mid-20th century, Lincoln County’s lost communities reveal distinct patterns of settlement and abandonment across its 2,500 square miles.
You’ll notice ghost settlement analysis shows clustering around transport corridors and resource-rich areas, particularly coal fields and mineral deposits that once drove the local economy.
The spatial distribution of these abandoned towns tells a compelling story of boom and bust. You can trace the north-south settlement patterns along railway lines, identifying communities that vanished when mines closed or railroad routes changed.
Historic plat maps and cartographic records help you pinpoint old town lots, mining locations, and infrastructure, while preserved structures and foundations mark these silent testimonies to Lincoln County’s dynamic past. The oldest map collection begins with the 1909 Montpelier map, providing crucial baseline data for tracking settlement evolution.
Ethnic Diversity in Early Mining Settlements
When you explore Lincoln County’s early mining settlements, you’ll find a community initially shaped by European-American pioneers like Patrick Quealy and Mahlon Kemmerer in the late 1800s.
While Anglo-American settlers dominated the early landscape, the region’s mining workforce gradually diversified through the influence of westward migration routes and the economic pull of coal operations.
The presence of boarding houses and general stores in company towns created gathering spaces where different cultural backgrounds intersected, though detailed records of specific ethnic groups in these communities remain limited in historical archives.
Mining Community Melting Pot
While many might imagine early Wyoming mining towns as homogeneous settlements, these communities actually served as remarkable cultural melting pots during the late 19th and early 20th centuries.
You’ll find that companies like Union Pacific deliberately recruited diverse ethnic groups, creating vibrant multicultural workplaces where cultural institutions flourished and ethnic interactions shaped daily life.
- Dana stands out as Wyoming’s only coal town where African Americans briefly formed the majority in the 1880s.
- European immigrants brought specialized mining skills and established strong religious communities.
- Asian and Hispanic workers contributed essential labor despite facing discrimination.
- Different ethnic groups created their own churches, businesses, and fraternal orders.
- Smaller towns often saw faster cultural assimilation than larger ethnic enclaves.
Workforce Heritage Lives On
Today’s cultural fabric of Lincoln County mining communities echoes the rich ethnic diversity that characterized early 1900s settlements like Frontier and Kemmerer.
You’ll find traces of community resilience in the stories passed down through generations, reflecting how immigrant miners from Europe and across America built lives despite harsh conditions and company control.
The cultural traditions of these diverse groups didn’t just fade away when the mines closed. They’ve left lasting imprints on Lincoln County’s heritage, visible in community gatherings and shared memories of joint struggles.
While many families relocated during the economic downturn of the 1920s-30s, their multicultural legacy persists through oral histories and memorial events.
The 1923 Frontier mine disaster, which claimed 99 lives, remains a poignant symbol of the shared sacrifices that united these ethnic communities.
Timber Towns and Railroad Ties: The Uinta Connection
Deep within the Uinta Mountains, a treasure trove of pine, cedar, and quaking-asp forests sparked the birth of several Wyoming timber towns in the mid-1800s.
You’ll find the remnants of bustling communities like Piedmont, Hilliard, and Evanston, where timber transport and charcoal production once dominated daily life. These towns fueled the Union Pacific Railroad‘s expansion through innovative flume systems and massive charcoal kilns, moving logs at speeds up to 15 mph.
- Piedmont’s beehive-shaped kilns remain as the last standing monument to Wyoming’s charcoal empire
- Railroad ties and mining timbers flowed from mountaintop to valley through 30-mile flume networks
- Workers produced over 100,000 bushels of charcoal monthly during peak operations
- Timber towns housed between 50 to 500 workers during their heyday
- The Bear and Weber Rivers served as natural highways for log transportation
Preservation Efforts Keeping History Alive
As Wyoming’s historic sites face the relentless march of time, the State Historic Preservation Office (SHPO) leads a coordinated effort to protect these irreplaceable treasures.
You’ll find preservation specialists working alongside community members to document and restore landmarks like the 1925 Lincoln County Courthouse in Kemmerer.
Through heritage education programs, you can participate in artifact recovery projects that unearth historical items beneath old buildings in towns like Fossil.
Local organizations and conservation districts have joined forces to support these preservation initiatives.
You’ll see community engagement in action as volunteers help create museums to showcase recovered artifacts and maintain abandoned sites.
The SHPO’s 2016-2026 preservation plan guarantees these collaborative efforts will continue protecting Wyoming’s cultural heritage for future generations to explore and appreciate.
Ghost Town Tourism Opportunities
You’ll discover compelling railroad history at Piedmont’s well-preserved charcoal kilns and abandoned train station, where the Union Pacific’s rerouting through Aspen Tunnel marked the town’s decline in the early 1900s.
Throughout Lincoln County’s historic mining sites, you can explore weathered cabins and vintage machinery while following recommended safety protocols at locations like Kirwin and Eadsville.
Whether you’re photographing snow-draped ruins in winter or capturing golden summer light on century-old structures, each season offers distinct opportunities to document these remarkable remnants of Wyoming’s frontier past.
Exploring Piedmont’s Railroad Past
When steam locomotives ruled the American West, Piedmont, Wyoming stood as an essential railroad outpost, serving passing trains with its distinctive beehive-shaped charcoal kilns and water station. Founded by Mormon pioneer Moses Byrne in the late 1860s, this bustling town supported hundreds of woodchoppers and coal burners who fueled the Union Pacific‘s expansion.
You’ll find the remnants of this once-thriving community nestled near the Uinta Mountains, where six historic kilns still stand as evidence of Wyoming’s railroad heritage.
- The kilns produced crucial charcoal for locomotive fuel before coke became standard
- Multiple saloons, stores, and gambling halls once served railroad workers
- The town’s original name “Byrne” changed to “Piedmont” to avoid confusion
- Early settlers combined ranching with railroad support activities
- The 1900s Aspen Mountain tunnel rerouting led to Piedmont’s abandonment
Lincoln County’s abandoned mining towns offer a stark contrast to Piedmont’s railroad heritage, presenting visitors with compelling opportunities to explore Wyoming’s rich mining history.
You’ll discover remnants of mining infrastructure at sites like Kemmerer and Sublet, where ghost town exploration reveals the skeletal remains of a bygone industrial era.
Local museums and historical societies enhance your experience by providing essential context about the region’s mining heritage preservation efforts.
You can join guided tours that investigate dramatic stories of mining disasters, safety evolution, and the immigrant families who built these communities.
While photographing historic buildings and mining structures, you’ll witness firsthand how these sites continue to weather time’s passage, serving as powerful reminders of Lincoln County’s industrial legacy and the resilient spirit of its mining communities.
Seasonal Photography Hot Spots
Throughout Wyoming’s diverse ghost town landscape, photographers can discover exceptional shooting locations that shift dramatically with the seasons.
You’ll find the perfect blend of ghost town aesthetics and natural beauty, from Kirwin’s historic log structures to Eadsville’s mining remnants. The seasonal contrasts create distinct photographic opportunities, with summer offering clear shots of weathered buildings while winter transforms sites into snow-draped scenes.
- Kirwin offers pristine natural lighting conditions from late spring through early fall.
- Casper Mountain’s Eadsville provides year-round access with unique winter fat biking trails.
- Sage captures classic Old West atmosphere during golden hour photography.
- Keystone Mining District features diverse architectural ruins against mountain backdrops.
- Fremont County boasts over 110 standing structures across six preserved ghost towns.
Economic Forces Behind Town Abandonments
As mining operations boomed across Wyoming’s Lincoln County in the 1950s and ’60s, towns like Jeffrey City sprouted up to support the flourishing uranium industry.
When the uranium market collapsed in the late 1970s, the economic impact devastated these single-industry communities, with Jeffrey City losing 95% of its population by 1986.
You’ll find that multiple forces shaped Lincoln County’s ghost towns.
Large sheep operations like Covey & Sons transformed the landscape from small-scale farming to industrial ranching.
Railroad changes left towns like Bryan without their strategic importance.
Even environmental factors played a role in community resilience, as resource depletion and land degradation from mining and overgrazing made it impossible for towns to sustain themselves.
Without economic diversification, these company towns – once complete with schools, shops, and clinics – couldn’t survive when their primary industries failed.
Engineering Marvels of Early Mining Infrastructure
Mining engineering reached remarkable heights in Lincoln County’s early coal operations through sophisticated room-and-pillar extraction methods and advanced transport systems.
You’ll find remarkable underground engineering achievements in mines like Sublet No. 6, where multiple tunnel entries created complex grids for efficient coal extraction. The infrastructure masterfully integrated transport and ventilation networks, while shortwall mining equipment in the 1920s revolutionized production methods.
- Complex tunnel systems protected miners through strategic pillar placement and timber reinforcement
- Paired entry designs maximized airflow and transport efficiency
- Rail networks underground connected seamlessly to surface operations
- Water management systems tackled groundwater challenges
- Ventilation networks maintained fresh air circulation through interconnected airways
The mining infrastructure showcased innovative solutions to geological challenges while prioritizing worker safety and operational efficiency.
Photographic Journey Through Abandoned Sites
Beyond the engineering marvels of Lincoln County’s mines lies a haunting visual landscape that captivates photographers and historians alike.
You’ll discover abandoned architecture scattered throughout the grasslands, from the historic Haddenham Cabin to forgotten ghost towns frozen in time. These remnants tell historical narratives of boom-and-bust cycles, early settlement, and the challenges of frontier life.
As you explore these sites, you’ll find photographers capturing the stark beauty using wide-angle lenses at dawn, or deploying drones for dramatic aerial perspectives.
They’re documenting weathered wood, rusty metal, and nature’s slow reclamation of human structures. Through their lenses, seasonal changes and atmospheric conditions bring new dimensions to these forgotten places, preserving stories of western expansion and human perseverance in high-resolution detail and moody black-and-white compositions.
Frequently Asked Questions
Are There Guided Tours Available for Exploring Lincoln County’s Ghost Towns?
You won’t find regular guided tour options or local tour guides in Lincoln County’s ghost towns. Instead, you’ll need to explore independently, though Kirwin offers one annual guided tour nearby.
What Safety Precautions Should Visitors Take When Visiting Abandoned Mining Sites?
You’ll need proper safety gear including helmets and sturdy boots. Always notify emergency contacts of your plans, stay with companions, and avoid entering unstable structures or underground areas.
Can Metal Detecting Be Done Legally at Lincoln County’s Abandoned Sites?
You can’t legally metal detect at Lincoln County’s abandoned sites due to strict regulations. These locations are protected by state and federal laws that prohibit unauthorized treasure hunting activities.
Which Seasons Offer the Best Conditions for Photographing Lincoln County’s Historic Sites?
You’ll get stunning shots during late spring when blooms frame historic structures, or early autumn when fall colors create rich backdrops. Both seasons offer mild temperatures and ideal lighting conditions.
Are There Any Haunted Legends Associated With Lincoln County’s Ghost Towns?
You’ll find ghostly encounters throughout Lincoln County’s abandoned towns, with Kirwin’s avalanche victims and Piedmont’s cemetery generating the most haunted history. Local folklore suggests spiritual activity near old hotels and mines.
References
- https://www.loc.gov/item/wy0256/
- https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=5XZl5-drOQk
- https://www.oldmapsonline.org/en/Lincoln_County
- https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/List_of_ghost_towns_in_Wyoming
- https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Piedmont
- https://www.historynet.com/piedmont-wyoming-fed-union-pacific-locomotives/
- https://www.roadtripryan.com/go/t/other/odds-and-ends-area/piedmont-kilns
- https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ynvTCiTX1vI
- https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=qpsKpZv6y4Q
- http://www.wyomingtalesandtrails.com/coal3b.html
