Becoming the 44th state on July 10, 1890, Wyoming was famous for fur trapping and coal production.
Wyoming has 76 ghost towns. As the least populated state in the U.S., it would not be surprising if more information became available showcasing newly uncovered towns that were overtaken by nature or hidden out of sight on uncharted pathways.
Fur trapping and the gold rush put Wyoming on the map, but the territory’s challenging terrain made life and business difficult. In 1867, the transcontinental railroad impacted many towns in the state. As towns were bypassed and stops were established in bigger cities, many people relocated where work was more successful. The Great Depression of the 1930s caused most businesses to go bankrupt, leaving remaining residents no choice but to move away.
South Pass City, Wyoming
In the late 1860s, South Pass City, located in Fremont County, was one of the state’s most popular regions. When gold was discovered here, the news attracted many miners to this city. There are enough records to indicate that over 2,000 miners lived here at the town’s peak time. South Pass City’s primary purpose was to mine gold used to support the development of the city’s businesses.
However, within a decade, by 1872, the American mining industry witnessed a downfall. The depletion of natural resources and the decline of the mining business-led many people to move away. Today, around 20 houses can be seen that have been restored to their original glory, acting as a way to travel back in time.
Atlantic City, Wyoming
Atlantic City, located near South Pass City, was also one of the leading mining hubs in the 1860s when gold was discovered. Though the fame was short-lived, it was enough for the city to build hotels, restaurants, opera houses, dance halls, breweries, and more. The city witnessed many miners who had come here to try their luck at finding gold. Therefore, it had many sources of entertainment to keep everyone occupied.
When the rush for gold mining died out, Atlantic City lost its sheen, and people started moving to other cities that witnessed a boom in the mining industry. Slowly this place began to look like a ghost town. Today, the remnants of an old church, some homes, and general stores remain. The Atlantic City Mercantile still operates as a fully functional restaurant today. After taking a historical tour of the town, stop at the mercantile for refreshments.
Kirwin, Wyoming
Located along the Wood River, Kirwin is a ghost town in the U.S. Forest Service Area. During the 1890s, there were more than 30 buildings and 200 residents living here, as the gold and silver mining businesses were in full flow here. However, in 1907, this city was severely impacted by a devastating snowstorm. While most damages were inflicted to the town because of the snowstorm, other events also contributed to Kirwin’s eventual ghost town status.
Amelia Earhart and her husband, George Putnam, came to visit this place during the 1930s. In 1937, Amelia went for a world tour on a flight, but she never came back. No one knew what happened to her. However, expecting her return, a cabin was constructed at the Double Dee Guest Ranch. The dilapidated remains of this cabin can still be seen today when you travel a mile from Kirwin. Apart from this, you can also see some remains of mining structures and other abandoned buildings.
Grand Encampment Copper District
In 1897, copper mines were established in the Sierra Madre, and some reputed copper mining companies were constructed along with the areas of Battle and Dillon. Most of these areas have now been converted into ghost towns, as the mining industry witnessed a downward swing in the early 1900s. The Grand Encampment Museum located in this area is an excellent place for tourists to see the city’s history during its heydays. In this place, most of the worn-down logs and mining structures have been restored to their original glory for the benefit of tourists.
Jay Em, Wyoming
Farming was the main occupation of residents in Jay Em during the 1900s. A person whose name was only known as JM owned a prominent and well-known ranch in the area. JM’s ranch was the deciding factor used when choosing a name for the town. Today, you can see very few residents living here; however, the semi-deserted area is an excellent spot for heritage tourism. You can see the boards of some farm shops, farm equipment, and other machinery intact even today.
Miner’s Delight, Wyoming
From the town’s name, it is easy to assume this town in Fremont County was a delight for miners back in the late 1800s. Miner’s Delight was home to 40 mines, 70 people, several general stores, a shoemaker, and a liquor dealer. When gold was discovered in the area, the town saw a significant boost in population and businesses.
However, as the global mining industry got severely hit, this town’s popularity got impacted severely as miners relocated to other mines still in operation. Today, all that remains are the remnants of some buildings and a cemetery. Miner’s Delight does not currently have any inhabitants, and you must first get permission from the Bureau of Land Management to tour around this place.
Piedmont, Wyoming
Many years ago, Piedmont was a famous town located close to the Union Pacific Railroad Station. However, with the construction of the Aspen Tunnel, this town lost most of its railroad connectivity. The poor infrastructure of the place led to the inhabitants moving away to other improved locations. The eerie sights of a wooden cabin, a cemetery, and the remnants of a charcoal kiln are all that remain.
Haunted Places In Wyoming
When visiting one of the oldest and most popular hotels, Occidental Hotel in Buffalo, it is highly possible to witness something spooky. Several people who have visited this hotel have spotted a lady dressed in white, with long flowing hair who roams around the premises.
Some visitors have reported feeling her tapping on their shoulder as well as seeing furniture moving around. There have been no physical harm reports from the roaming spirit, but the sights and noises are enough to leave a general frightened feeling among those who have witnessed these activities.
Fort Laramie National Historic Site is a popular military post in Wyoming. However, other than being a well-known military site, this location is also known for its ghost sightings. Many tourists have spotted a cavalry officer performing his military duties around the fort, even though the soldiers once assigned to Fort Laramie have been long gone. Some have also spotted a lady in green randomly around the fort. It is believed that the lady is the daughter of the fort’s commander and had gone riding one day, never to return.
The Sweetwater County Library, located in the Green River region, is another one of Wyoming’s haunted areas. It is not surprising since the library was built on top of a graveyard in the 1980s. Many visitors to the library have witnessed quite a few paranormal activities on the library’s premises. Books moving from shelves, strange noises, whispering voices, and frequent electricity outages are believed to be the activities of the spirits that reside within the library.
