South Pass City, Wyoming
is located in a small valley along the banks of Willow Creek
on the southeastern end of the Wind River
Mountains. A short two mile drive
down a well maintained gravel road off of Highway 28 south of Lander takes
you into Wyoming’s only restored gold-mining town.
As you enter this mountain retreat you are greeted by a bright red and white
sign that proudly states, “Population about 17". After inquiring,
you will find the sign to be rather optimistic. There are a few dogs and at
least one horse they must be counting to get the number above the 6 who actually
reside
here year round. After further inquiry, it is easy to see why so few people
live here in the winter. With an elevation of 8,000 feet, 15 feet average snowfall,
wind and cold that can not be politely described, it is not the most hospitable
winter climate. However, the summer and fall seasons are nearly perfect and
make
the long winters well worthwhile.
Driving into town you will see a variety of houses in different states of repair.
The houses that initially greet visitors look like they could belong anywhere,
but further investigation begins to reveal the town’s true identity.
South Pass City, Wyoming, is home to South Pass City State Historic Site, an
authentically
restored turn-of-the-century gold mining camp.
After walking through the main gate and paying a small fee to enter the site,
you begin your stroll down South Pass City’s historic Main Street. Slowly,
the town begins to reveal itself, like opening a package on Christmas Morning.
Each beautifully restored original building comes to life as you step inside
to see exhibits that have been completed with painstaking accuracy. Each building
is brought to life through accounts of the people who once called this place
home.
|
Of the 250 buildings that were here in its
hey day in 1869, 23 remain. Each sparkles with excitement and reminds
one of the town’s former glory,
when saloons and hotels were full, and optimism was on the lips of all. Today,
visitors to
this noteworthy site can shop in the Smith-Sherlock General Store, drink sarsparilla
while enjoying a game of billiards in the Miner’s Exchange Saloon, and
pan for gold. You can enter the two story South Pass Hotel that housed and
fed its patrons a family-style meal. Children will enjoy the old one room school
house where children of all ages practiced their reading and ciphering.
Several hiking trails at South Pass City help guide you through the otherwise
rugged landscape where you can see the remains of brick kilns, and other
historic mining related sites. An abundance of wildlife and flora can be
observed on and
off of the hiking trails.
A variety of other events take place throughout the summer season. At times
you may see a replica California Quartz Mill in operation, a traveling art
exhibit,
or a theatrical performance. Their annual Gold Rush Days celebration takes
place at the end of July. During, this event a diverse array of activities
are featured.
These include a turn-of-the-century vintage baseball tournament complete
with period uniforms and equipment, a hand drilling competition, music, refreshments,
candle pin bowling and a variety of other activities that will keep you thoroughly
entertained for hours.
South Pass City, famous for being the home of women’s suffrage, is also
within a few miles of several other significant historic sites, including Willie’s
Handcart Historic Site, the Spaulding-Whitman Marker, Camp Stambaugh, and the
Oregon Trail.
Whether it is history, hiking or both, the only thing that limits your experience
at South Pass City State Historic Site is your own creativity. This is not
a place that has manufactured your experience like so many theme parks. It
has
not been replicated and commercialized for the sake of money. This site offers
one of the most authentic, educational, and enjoyable experiences that can
be found anywhere in the West.
Climbers
Festival | Gold Rush Days Information
on Lander
Lander Attractions
Microbrewery | Oregon
Trail Pageant of the
Old West
Sinks Canyon State Park
South Pass City
|
