South Pass City State Historic Site — Attraction in Lander

My mother took my sister and I to South Pass City back in 1964. All was derelict & spooky, especially as Mom used "Ghost Towns of Wyoming" as her field guide, & fed us girls embellished tales of the mining days and the slow decline that followed.

It was unspeakably lonely and sad. I was only 6, and sister was 9. We were very impressionable about South Pass City's story and condition!

We poked around & I found a broken cast iron child's toy, part of a wagon & horses. Mom painted a picture in my head of a little miner's son, who probably cast it aside when it broke. Often wondered if the little boy managed to grow up, and if he did, did he stay & try to mine as well?

Not far away, we saw a painted bunting & were awed by the gorgeous colors. Years later, when I took up birding, I discovered what a rare treat it was, as such birds are uncommon to the area.

The town's restoration is beautiful! So different from the weathered, creakyness through which the wind howled. Wish I could return.

If you go to South Pass City, remember the children who lived there. Think of a little boy and...

South Pass City is a restored or revived Old West mining town located between Lander and Farson, Wyoming. The South Pass was a pathway to the West through the Rocky Mountains for many groups. While traveling through the area, travellers panned for gold and eventually struck a vein. A non-profit organization has restored, renovated or rebuilt a slice of those Wyoming gold rush days, with indoor and outdoor displays presenting life in this region. A mine and its mill machinery are available for hands-on visits, as well as homes, businesses, Churches, saloons, and so on are available for self-guided tours with a handy guidebook available at the gift shop. Many regional and historical books are available as are items for young and old. Located at more than 6,500 feet in elevation, the best time to visit is in Summer. It's located West of Lander, Wyoming, the nearest nearby full service center. If you're interested in mining, Westward migration, or mid- to late-1800s history, South Pass City in Wyoming is a great place to visit. Atlantic City is...

Reliving history and envisioning what it was like as pioneers, settlers along the Oregon Trail during the gold boom. As you enter South Pass City you'll pass a historic gold mine which is this accessible. The town itself, even though some of the buildings are missing gives visitors an idea to where one's imagination takes you back. Some of the buildings still here include a hotel/saloon, another saloon, jailhouse and a butcher shop. They also have a souvenir store filled with of course souvenirs and items not for sale which possibly came from back then. Children can try their hand at panning for gold while the adults walk Main Street. While visiting South Pass, be sure to also check out Atlantic City a couple miles up...