However, in 1966, the
ghost town
site was purchased by the State of
Wyoming as a
75th birthday present for the citizens of the state, thus
ensuring that the town's storied history would continue to be told. As a
combined effort of several state agencies and private organizations, the
town has been accurately restored and contains 23 original structures and
some 30,000 artifacts, almost all of which are original to the old
settlement.
Though the town has only
about a half dozen permanent residents, it bustles during the summer
months as thousands of visitors flock to see this authentic view of the
American
West. Walking tour guides are available at the 1890’s dance hall, where
a small fee is collected for entrance to the historic site and volunteers
can provide answers to visitors’ questions.
Some of the most
interesting buildings include the 1890 Carissa Saloon, the 1896
Smith-Sherlock Co. Store, the South Pass Hotel & Restaurant, and the
Sweetwater County Jail. Mining equipment history can also be seen at the
Moses Sturman Stamp Mill, the Wolverine Mine Adit, and the remains of
brick kilns. Just north of town is the old Carissa Mine and Mill, which
was purchased by the State of
Wyoming in
2003 and since then, has been involved in an environmental cleanup and
preparation for opening as another historic site. Plans will allow
visitors to tour the mine and mill in the near future. Just south of town
on a hill overlooking the historic city, is the old cemetery, but there
are very few graves. According to a family member who was visiting the old
graveyard, she said that once South Pass City died, many families moved
their family members' remains.
Summers provide for a
variety of events including Gold rush Days, which takes place in July. The
site is open from May 15th through September 30th
each year. Other historic sites are located nearby, including the
ghost towns
of Atlantic City and Miners Delight,
Willie’s Handcart Historic Site, and the
Oregon Trail.
South Pass City State
Historic Site is located two miles off the intersection of Highway 28 and
131, about 35 miles south of Lander,
Wyoming.
©
Kathy Weiser/Legends
of America, updated July, 2010. |
|
