You’ll discover Piedmont’s dramatic story as a Wyoming railroad boomtown that emerged in 1867 when Mormon entrepreneurs Moses Byrne and Charles Guild established it as a tent camp. The town flourished with its massive charcoal kilns, producing 100,000 bushels monthly for iron smelters, and thrived as an essential railroad stopover. After the Union Pacific rerouted its tracks in 1901, Piedmont was abandoned, leaving behind three towering sandstone kilns that still stand today. These ruins hold fascinating tales of frontier life.
Key Takeaways
- Piedmont was established in 1867 as a railroad town and charcoal production center before becoming abandoned in the early 1900s.
- Three historic beehive-shaped charcoal kilns remain standing today, serving as the main attraction of this Wyoming ghost town.
- The town’s decline began when wood charcoal was replaced by coke and the Union Pacific Railroad rerouted its tracks in 1901.
- Visitors can explore the ruins 7 miles south of I-80’s Exit 24, with access via County Road 173 near Fort Bridger.
- The site features interpretive signs, picnic facilities, and walking paths for exploring the preserved sandstone structures and town remains.
The Rise of a Railroad Boomtown
As the Union Pacific Railroad pushed westward in 1867, the settlement of Piedmont emerged from a modest tent camp of railroad workers in Wyoming Territory.
You’ll find the town’s railroad history deeply intertwined with pioneer settlement, as Mormon entrepreneurs Moses Byrne and Charles Guild laid the foundation for what would become a bustling frontier community.
The town’s strategic location near steep mountain grades made it crucial for railroad operations.
You can trace Piedmont’s rapid growth to the need for “helper engines,” which required the construction of sidings, engine sheds, and water tanks.
The Guild family opened a mercantile store, and four saloons soon followed.
The town developed into a vital stopover where trains could refuel with wood and water supplies.
What started as just twenty permanent homes amid railroad workers’ tents transformed into a significant hub where timber workers, railroad crews, and pioneer families built their American dream. Like the machine building tradition of its Italian namesake, the Wyoming town became known for its railroad maintenance and repair facilities.
Charcoal Kilns and Industrial Heritage
Beyond the railroad infrastructure, Piedmont’s most impressive legacy stands in the form of its towering charcoal kilns, built in 1869 by Moses Byrne.
Using local sandstone and limestone, he constructed five beehive-shaped kilns, each rising 30 feet high with 24-inch-thick walls. Today, you’ll find three and a half of these industrial monuments still standing.
These massive stone kilns stand as silent sentinels of the past, their beehive shapes reaching skyward through centuries of Wyoming winds.
The kilns’ industrial significance centered on charcoal production, supplying essential fuel to Utah Valley’s iron smelters and blacksmith shops. The site is managed by State of Wyoming as a designated historic site.
By 1873, they were producing 100,000 bushels of charcoal annually. Wood harvested from the nearby Uinta Mountains fed these massive structures, while the Union Pacific Railroad efficiently distributed the final product.
You can now visit these remarkable kilns year-round at Wyoming’s State Historic Site, where they’re preserved as rare examples of 19th-century western industrial heritage. Visitors can access the site via I-80 Exit 24 and follow Piedmont Road for approximately 6 miles.
Wild West Tales and Native American Relations
The rich tapestry of Native American history in Piedmont intertwines with the town’s Wild West legacy. You’ll find this land was originally Sioux and Shoshone territory, where tribal sovereignty remained strong even as settlers arrived.
Cultural misunderstandings led to tensions, exemplified by the kidnapping of Moses Byrne’s young son near Muddy Creek Station. Chief Washakie emerged as an essential mediator during this period, successfully negotiating the boy’s return and fostering peaceful relations between natives and settlers. The tribes had established complex trading post networks for exchanging goods with European settlers before major conflicts arose. Marie Guild’s brave encounter with Washiki’s warriors led to her receiving beaded gifts as a sign of respect.
While the railroad’s arrival disrupted traditional Native hunting grounds and migration patterns, some cooperative relationships developed. You can trace how Native Americans maintained their presence in the area, continuing to assert their rights to travel and hunt across their ancestral lands despite increasing pressure from white settlement and railroad expansion.
From Prosperity to Abandonment
While Native American relations shaped Piedmont’s early character, economic forces would ultimately determine its fate.
In its heyday, over forty charcoal kilns produced an estimated 100,000 bushels monthly of fuel for iron smelting operations.
You’ll find that Piedmont’s decline followed clear economic shifts that began when coke replaced wood charcoal as the preferred fuel for locomotives and smelting furnaces. The community dynamics changed dramatically as cheaper lumber from the Pacific coast undercut local timber markets.
The fatal blow came in 1901 when the Union Pacific Railroad rerouted its tracks north of town. Without railroad traffic, Piedmont’s core industries collapsed, triggering an exodus of workers and their families.
One by one, businesses shuttered their doors. By 1940, even the last store had closed, transforming this once-bustling railroad town into a silent monument to the boom-and-bust cycle of the American West. Today, visitors can still explore the remnants of town in southwestern Wyoming.
Exploring the Historic Ruins Today
Situated 7 miles south of I-80’s Exit 24 near Fort Bridger, Wyoming, Piedmont’s ruins offer visitors a compelling glimpse into frontier industrialization.
You’ll find the site accessible via County Road 173, with the most striking features being three massive beehive-shaped charcoal kilns standing 30 feet high.
The visitor experience centers around these well-preserved sandstone structures, along with scattered remains of the town’s buildings, railroad station, and cemetery.
Walking among towering sandstone kilns and weathered ruins, visitors can trace the footsteps of Wyoming’s industrial pioneers.
Originally established as Byrne settlement, the town served as a vital resource point for the Union Pacific Railroad’s operations in the region.
You can explore the site freely from sunrise to sunset, following informal walking paths around the ruins.
A small picnic pavilion area provides a shaded spot to rest and enjoy lunch during your visit.
Interpretive signs detail the kilns’ operation and Moses Byrne’s founding role, while minimal modern intrusions maintain the site’s authentic feel.
Though there aren’t any facilities, you’ll only need about an hour to photograph and investigate these remarkable remnants of Wyoming’s industrial past.
Frequently Asked Questions
Are There Any Paranormal or Ghost Sightings Reported in Piedmont?
Like finding a smartphone in 1890, ghostly encounters pop up frequently in Piedmont. You’ll hear tales of apparitions near kilns, disembodied voices, and cold spots reflecting its haunted history.
What Wildlife Can Visitors Expect to Encounter at the Ghost Town?
You’ll spot diverse wildlife year-round, from grazing mule deer and watchful coyotes to soaring hawks. In summer, expect butterflies and songbirds, while winter brings hardy ravens scavenging near ruins.
What Is the Best Time of Year to Visit Piedmont?
You’ll find the best season to visit is May through September, when weather conditions are mild and dry, offering ideal daylight hours and clear access to explore without muddy roads.
Are Metal Detectors Allowed at the Piedmont Ghost Town Site?
You can’t use metal detectors here due to strict metal detecting regulations protecting historical artifacts. You’ll need written permission from park authorities, and removing artifacts is completely forbidden.
How Far Is Piedmont From the Nearest Modern Town or Emergency Services?
You’ll find emergency resources and modern amenities about 7-8 miles away in Fort Bridger, which provides your closest access to medical care, fire services, and police through Interstate 80.
References
- https://wakeupwyo.com/train-robbery-and-a-kidnapping-in-a-wyoming-ghost-town/
- https://www.historynet.com/piedmont-wyoming-fed-union-pacific-locomotives/
- https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ynvTCiTX1vI
- https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=qpsKpZv6y4Q
- https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Piedmont
- https://wyoparks.wyo.gov/index.php/activities-amenities-piedmont-charcoal-kilns/historical-features-piedmont-charcoal-kilns
- https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Piedmont_Charcoal_Kilns_State_Historic_Site
- https://www.wyohistory.org/field-trips/piedmont-charcoal-kilns
- https://www.roadtripryan.com/go/t/other/odds-and-ends-area/piedmont-kilns
- https://epod.usra.edu/blog/2024/09/wyomings-piedmont-charcoal-kilns.html
