During the 1800s, Wyoming became the focus for American expansion into the trans-Mississippi west. Robert Stuart’s discovery of South Pass in October 1812 gave hope that a practical overland route to the Pacific (the route Lewis and Clark searched for but failed to find) did exist. By 1824, South Pass was in annual use by mountain men and trappers engaged in the Rocky Mountain Fur Trade. Soon trappers discovered connections that linked South Pass with the Snake and Columbia rivers and with the Hudson’s Bay Company holdings of the Pacific Northwest. Some 150,000 pioneers went west between the years of 1849 and 1852. By the mid-1850s, stage coaches and freight wagons were regular users of the California, Mormon Pioneer and Oregon trails, rolling both east and west through South Pass. For 19 months in 1860-61, the riders of the Pony Express transcontinental mail service thundered through the pass on an incredible schedule covering 2,000 miles from St. Joseph, Missouri, to San Francisco, California, in 10 days or less. Historians estimate that some 500,000 pioneers “went westering” along the South Pass trail system before the great overland wagon train migrations slowed down with the completion of the transcontinental railroad in 1869. About 80,000 were headed for the Willamette Valley in Oregon. Some 70,000 Mormons had the Great Salt Lake region as their destination. Most of the remaining 350,000 were bound for California with just a few headed for intermediate destinations. Of those that started the journey, one in 10 would not complete it. Thousands would die along the way, mostly from accidents, cholera and other diseases. Some would simply get to their destination and turn back.

During the 1800s, Wyoming became the focus for American expansion into the trans-Mississippi west. Robert Stuart’s discovery of South Pass in October 1812 gave hope that a practical overland route to the Pacific (the route Lewis and Clark searched for but failed to find) did exist. By 1824, South Pass was in annual use by mountain men and trappers engaged in the Rocky Mountain Fur Trade. Soon trappers discovered connections that linked South Pass with the Snake and Columbia rivers and with the Hudson’s Bay Company holdings of the Pacific Northwest. Some 150,000 pioneers went west between the years of 1849 and 1852. By the mid-1850s, stage coaches and freight wagons were regular users of the California, Mormon Pioneer and Oregon trails, rolling both east and west through South Pass. For 19 months in 1860-61, the riders of the Pony Express transcontinental mail service thundered through the pass on an incredible schedule covering 2,000 miles from St. Joseph, Missouri, to San Francisco, California, in 10 days or less. Historians estimate that some 500,000 pioneers “went westering” along the South Pass trail system before the great overland wagon train migrations slowed down with the completion of the transcontinental railroad in 1869. About 80,000 were headed for the Willamette Valley in Oregon. Some 70,000 Mormons had the Great Salt Lake region as their destination. Most of the remaining 350,000 were bound for California with just a few headed for intermediate destinations. Of those that started the journey, one in 10 would not complete it. Thousands would die along the way, mostly from accidents, cholera and other diseases. Some would simply get to their destination and turn back.

During the 1800s, Wyoming became the focus for American expansion into the trans-Mississippi west. Robert Stuart’s discovery of South Pass in October 1812 gave hope that a practical overland route to the Pacific (the route Lewis and Clark searched for but failed to find) did exist. By 1824, South Pass was in annual use by mountain men and trappers engaged in the Rocky Mountain Fur Trade. Soon trappers discovered connections that linked South Pass with the Snake and Columbia rivers and with the Hudson’s Bay Company holdings of the Pacific Northwest. Some 150,000 pioneers went west between the years of 1849 and 1852. By the mid-1850s, stage coaches and freight wagons were regular users of the California, Mormon Pioneer and Oregon trails, rolling both east and west through South Pass. For 19 months in 1860-61, the riders of the Pony Express transcontinental mail service thundered through the pass on an incredible schedule covering 2,000 miles from St. Joseph, Missouri, to San Francisco, California, in 10 days or less. Historians estimate that some 500,000 pioneers “went westering” along the South Pass trail system before the great overland wagon train migrations slowed down with the completion of the transcontinental railroad in 1869. About 80,000 were headed for the Willamette Valley in Oregon. Some 70,000 Mormons had the Great Salt Lake region as their destination. Most of the remaining 350,000 were bound for California with just a few headed for intermediate destinations. Of those that started the journey, one in 10 would not complete it. Thousands would die along the way, mostly from accidents, cholera and other diseases. Some would simply get to their destination and turn back.

Carissa Mine, South Pass, Wyoming

During the 1800s, Wyoming became the focus for American expansion into the trans-Mississippi west. Robert Stuart’s discovery of South Pass in October 1812 gave hope that a practical overland route to the Pacific (the route Lewis and Clark searched for but failed to find) did exist. By 1824, South Pass was in annual use by mountain men and trappers engaged in the Rocky Mountain Fur Trade. Soon trappers discovered connections that linked South Pass with the Snake and Columbia rivers and with the Hudson’s Bay Company holdings of the Pacific Northwest. Atlantic City, South Pass City State Historic Site, and the ghost town of Miner's Delight are remnants of a gold rush that took place in this area of Wyoming in the mid 1800's.  Thousands flocked to the South Pass area following finds of substantial gold at the Carissa Mine in 1867.This 30-square-mile area was a focal point for the discovery of gold in 1842 and the resultant 1867 gold rush that settled this part of Wyoming. By 1868, about 1,500 people lived in the District towns of South Pass and Atlantic City, but by 1872 the boom was over and the area was all but abandoned. Some 150,000 pioneers went west between the years of 1849 and 1852. By the mid-1850s, stage coaches and freight wagons were regular users of the California, Mormon Pioneer and Oregon trails, rolling both east and west through South Pass. For 19 months in 1860-61, the riders of the Pony Express transcontinental mail service thundered through the pass on an incredible schedule covering 2,000 miles from St. Joseph, Missouri, to San Francisco, California, in 10 days or less. By the late 1800s, the gold rush had diminished, but the Carissa Mine stayed open and processing until 1949!

Carissa Mine

During the 1800s, Wyoming became the focus for American expansion into the trans-Mississippi west. Robert Stuart’s discovery of South Pass in October 1812 gave hope that a practical overland route to the Pacific (the route Lewis and Clark searched for but failed to find) did exist. By 1824, South Pass was in annual use by mountain men and trappers engaged in the Rocky Mountain Fur Trade. Soon trappers discovered connections that linked South Pass with the Snake and Columbia rivers and with the Hudson’s Bay Company holdings of the Pacific Northwest. Atlantic City, South Pass City State Historic Site, and the ghost town of Miner's Delight are remnants of a gold rush that took place in this area of Wyoming in the mid 1800's.  Thousands flocked to the South Pass area following finds of substantial gold at the Carissa Mine in 1867.This 30-square-mile area was a focal point for the discovery of gold in 1842 and the resultant 1867 gold rush that settled this part of Wyoming. By 1868, about 1,500 people lived in the District towns of South Pass and Atlantic City, but by 1872 the boom was over and the area was all but abandoned. Some 150,000 pioneers went west between the years of 1849 and 1852. By the mid-1850s, stage coaches and freight wagons were regular users of the California, Mormon Pioneer and Oregon trails, rolling both east and west through South Pass. For 19 months in 1860-61, the riders of the Pony Express transcontinental mail service thundered through the pass on an incredible schedule covering 2,000 miles from St. Joseph, Missouri, to San Francisco, California, in 10 days or less. By the late 1800s, the gold rush had diminished, but the Carissa Mine stayed open and processing until 1949!

The Rock House, South Pass City, Wyoming

During the 1800s, Wyoming became the focus for American expansion into the trans-Mississippi west. Robert Stuart’s discovery of South Pass in October 1812 gave hope that a practical overland route to the Pacific (the route Lewis and Clark searched for but failed to find) did exist. By 1824, South Pass was in annual use by mountain men and trappers engaged in the Rocky Mountain Fur Trade. Soon trappers discovered connections that linked South Pass with the Snake and Columbia rivers and with the Hudson’s Bay Company holdings of the Pacific Northwest. Atlantic City, South Pass City State Historic Site, and the ghost town of Miner's Delight are remnants of a gold rush that took place in this area of Wyoming in the mid 1800's.  Thousands flocked to the South Pass area following finds of substantial gold at the Carissa Mine in 1867.This 30-square-mile area was a focal point for the discovery of gold in 1842 and the resultant 1867 gold rush that settled this part of Wyoming. By 1868, about 1,500 people lived in the District towns of South Pass and Atlantic City, but by 1872 the boom was over and the area was all but abandoned. Some 150,000 pioneers went west between the years of 1849 and 1852. By the mid-1850s, stage coaches and freight wagons were regular users of the California, Mormon Pioneer and Oregon trails, rolling both east and west through South Pass. For 19 months in 1860-61, the riders of the Pony Express transcontinental mail service thundered through the pass on an incredible schedule covering 2,000 miles from St. Joseph, Missouri, to San Francisco, California, in 10 days or less. By the late 1800s, the gold rush had diminished, but the Carissa Mine stayed open and processing until 1949!

South Pass City, Wyoming

During the 1800s, Wyoming became the focus for American expansion into the trans-Mississippi west. Robert Stuart’s discovery of South Pass in October 1812 gave hope that a practical overland route to the Pacific (the route Lewis and Clark searched for but failed to find) did exist. By 1824, South Pass was in annual use by mountain men and trappers engaged in the Rocky Mountain Fur Trade. Soon trappers discovered connections that linked South Pass with the Snake and Columbia rivers and with the Hudson’s Bay Company holdings of the Pacific Northwest. Atlantic City, South Pass City State Historic Site, and the ghost town of Miner's Delight are remnants of a gold rush that took place in this area of Wyoming in the mid 1800's.  Thousands flocked to the South Pass area following finds of substantial gold at the Carissa Mine in 1867.This 30-square-mile area was a focal point for the discovery of gold in 1842 and the resultant 1867 gold rush that settled this part of Wyoming. By 1868, about 1,500 people lived in the District towns of South Pass and Atlantic City, but by 1872 the boom was over and the area was all but abandoned. Some 150,000 pioneers went west between the years of 1849 and 1852. By the mid-1850s, stage coaches and freight wagons were regular users of the California, Mormon Pioneer and Oregon trails, rolling both east and west through South Pass. For 19 months in 1860-61, the riders of the Pony Express transcontinental mail service thundered through the pass on an incredible schedule covering 2,000 miles from St. Joseph, Missouri, to San Francisco, California, in 10 days or less. By the late 1800s, the gold rush had diminished, but the Carissa Mine stayed open and processing until 1949!

Atlantic City, Wyoming

During the 1800s, Wyoming became the focus for American expansion into the trans-Mississippi west. Robert Stuart’s discovery of South Pass in October 1812 gave hope that a practical overland route to the Pacific (the route Lewis and Clark searched for but failed to find) did exist. By 1824, South Pass was in annual use by mountain men and trappers engaged in the Rocky Mountain Fur Trade. Soon trappers discovered connections that linked South Pass with the Snake and Columbia rivers and with the Hudson’s Bay Company holdings of the Pacific Northwest. Atlantic City, South Pass City State Historic Site, and the ghost town of Miner's Delight are remnants of a gold rush that took place in this area of Wyoming in the mid 1800's.  Thousands flocked to the South Pass area following finds of substantial gold at the Carissa Mine in 1867.This 30-square-mile area was a focal point for the discovery of gold in 1842 and the resultant 1867 gold rush that settled this part of Wyoming. By 1868, about 1,500 people lived in the District towns of South Pass and Atlantic City, but by 1872 the boom was over and the area was all but abandoned. Some 150,000 pioneers went west between the years of 1849 and 1852. By the mid-1850s, stage coaches and freight wagons were regular users of the California, Mormon Pioneer and Oregon trails, rolling both east and west through South Pass. For 19 months in 1860-61, the riders of the Pony Express transcontinental mail service thundered through the pass on an incredible schedule covering 2,000 miles from St. Joseph, Missouri, to San Francisco, California, in 10 days or less. By the late 1800s, the gold rush had diminished, but the Carissa Mine stayed open and processing until 1949!

South Pass Area, Wyoming

During the 1800s, Wyoming became the focus for American expansion into the trans-Mississippi west. Robert Stuart’s discovery of South Pass in October 1812 gave hope that a practical overland route to the Pacific (the route Lewis and Clark searched for but failed to find) did exist. By 1824, South Pass was in annual use by mountain men and trappers engaged in the Rocky Mountain Fur Trade. Soon trappers discovered connections that linked South Pass with the Snake and Columbia rivers and with the Hudson’s Bay Company holdings of the Pacific Northwest. Atlantic City, South Pass City State Historic Site, and the ghost town of Miner's Delight are remnants of a gold rush that took place in this area of Wyoming in the mid 1800's.  Thousands flocked to the South Pass area following finds of substantial gold at the Carissa Mine in 1867.This 30-square-mile area was a focal point for the discovery of gold in 1842 and the resultant 1867 gold rush that settled this part of Wyoming. By 1868, about 1,500 people lived in the District towns of South Pass and Atlantic City, but by 1872 the boom was over and the area was all but abandoned. Some 150,000 pioneers went west between the years of 1849 and 1852. By the mid-1850s, stage coaches and freight wagons were regular users of the California, Mormon Pioneer and Oregon trails, rolling both east and west through South Pass. For 19 months in 1860-61, the riders of the Pony Express transcontinental mail service thundered through the pass on an incredible schedule covering 2,000 miles from St. Joseph, Missouri, to San Francisco, California, in 10 days or less. By the late 1800s, the gold rush had diminished, but the Carissa Mine stayed open and processing until 1949!

South Pass Area, Wyoming

During the 1800s, Wyoming became the focus for American expansion into the trans-Mississippi west. Robert Stuart’s discovery of South Pass in October 1812 gave hope that a practical overland route to the Pacific (the route Lewis and Clark searched for but failed to find) did exist. By 1824, South Pass was in annual use by mountain men and trappers engaged in the Rocky Mountain Fur Trade. Soon trappers discovered connections that linked South Pass with the Snake and Columbia rivers and with the Hudson’s Bay Company holdings of the Pacific Northwest. Atlantic City, South Pass City State Historic Site, and the ghost town of Miner's Delight are remnants of a gold rush that took place in this area of Wyoming in the mid 1800's.  Thousands flocked to the South Pass area following finds of substantial gold at the Carissa Mine in 1867.This 30-square-mile area was a focal point for the discovery of gold in 1842 and the resultant 1867 gold rush that settled this part of Wyoming. By 1868, about 1,500 people lived in the District towns of South Pass and Atlantic City, but by 1872 the boom was over and the area was all but abandoned. Some 150,000 pioneers went west between the years of 1849 and 1852. By the mid-1850s, stage coaches and freight wagons were regular users of the California, Mormon Pioneer and Oregon trails, rolling both east and west through South Pass. For 19 months in 1860-61, the riders of the Pony Express transcontinental mail service thundered through the pass on an incredible schedule covering 2,000 miles from St. Joseph, Missouri, to San Francisco, California, in 10 days or less. By the late 1800s, the gold rush had diminished, but the Carissa Mine stayed open and processing until 1949!

South Pass Area, Wyoming

During the 1800s, Wyoming became the focus for American expansion into the trans-Mississippi west. Robert Stuart’s discovery of South Pass in October 1812 gave hope that a practical overland route to the Pacific (the route Lewis and Clark searched for but failed to find) did exist. By 1824, South Pass was in annual use by mountain men and trappers engaged in the Rocky Mountain Fur Trade. Soon trappers discovered connections that linked South Pass with the Snake and Columbia rivers and with the Hudson’s Bay Company holdings of the Pacific Northwest. Atlantic City, South Pass City State Historic Site, and the ghost town of Miner's Delight are remnants of a gold rush that took place in this area of Wyoming in the mid 1800's.  Thousands flocked to the South Pass area following finds of substantial gold at the Carissa Mine in 1867.This 30-square-mile area was a focal point for the discovery of gold in 1842 and the resultant 1867 gold rush that settled this part of Wyoming. By 1868, about 1,500 people lived in the District towns of South Pass and Atlantic City, but by 1872 the boom was over and the area was all but abandoned. Some 150,000 pioneers went west between the years of 1849 and 1852. By the mid-1850s, stage coaches and freight wagons were regular users of the California, Mormon Pioneer and Oregon trails, rolling both east and west through South Pass. For 19 months in 1860-61, the riders of the Pony Express transcontinental mail service thundered through the pass on an incredible schedule covering 2,000 miles from St. Joseph, Missouri, to San Francisco, California, in 10 days or less. By the late 1800s, the gold rush had diminished, but the Carissa Mine stayed open and processing until 1949!

South Pass Area, Wyoming

During the 1800s, Wyoming became the focus for American expansion into the trans-Mississippi west. Robert Stuart’s discovery of South Pass in October 1812 gave hope that a practical overland route to the Pacific (the route Lewis and Clark searched for but failed to find) did exist. By 1824, South Pass was in annual use by mountain men and trappers engaged in the Rocky Mountain Fur Trade. Soon trappers discovered connections that linked South Pass with the Snake and Columbia rivers and with the Hudson’s Bay Company holdings of the Pacific Northwest. Atlantic City, South Pass City State Historic Site, and the ghost town of Miner's Delight are remnants of a gold rush that took place in this area of Wyoming in the mid 1800's.  Thousands flocked to the South Pass area following finds of substantial gold at the Carissa Mine in 1867.This 30-square-mile area was a focal point for the discovery of gold in 1842 and the resultant 1867 gold rush that settled this part of Wyoming. By 1868, about 1,500 people lived in the District towns of South Pass and Atlantic City, but by 1872 the boom was over and the area was all but abandoned. Some 150,000 pioneers went west between the years of 1849 and 1852. By the mid-1850s, stage coaches and freight wagons were regular users of the California, Mormon Pioneer and Oregon trails, rolling both east and west through South Pass. For 19 months in 1860-61, the riders of the Pony Express transcontinental mail service thundered through the pass on an incredible schedule covering 2,000 miles from St. Joseph, Missouri, to San Francisco, California, in 10 days or less. By the late 1800s, the gold rush had diminished, but the Carissa Mine stayed open and processing until 1949!

South Pass Area, Wyoming

During the 1800s, Wyoming became the focus for American expansion into the trans-Mississippi west. Robert Stuart’s discovery of South Pass in October 1812 gave hope that a practical overland route to the Pacific (the route Lewis and Clark searched for but failed to find) did exist. By 1824, South Pass was in annual use by mountain men and trappers engaged in the Rocky Mountain Fur Trade. Soon trappers discovered connections that linked South Pass with the Snake and Columbia rivers and with the Hudson’s Bay Company holdings of the Pacific Northwest. Atlantic City, South Pass City State Historic Site, and the ghost town of Miner's Delight are remnants of a gold rush that took place in this area of Wyoming in the mid 1800's.  Thousands flocked to the South Pass area following finds of substantial gold at the Carissa Mine in 1867.This 30-square-mile area was a focal point for the discovery of gold in 1842 and the resultant 1867 gold rush that settled this part of Wyoming. By 1868, about 1,500 people lived in the District towns of South Pass and Atlantic City, but by 1872 the boom was over and the area was all but abandoned. Some 150,000 pioneers went west between the years of 1849 and 1852. By the mid-1850s, stage coaches and freight wagons were regular users of the California, Mormon Pioneer and Oregon trails, rolling both east and west through South Pass. For 19 months in 1860-61, the riders of the Pony Express transcontinental mail service thundered through the pass on an incredible schedule covering 2,000 miles from St. Joseph, Missouri, to San Francisco, California, in 10 days or less. By the late 1800s, the gold rush had diminished, but the Carissa Mine stayed open and processing until 1949!

Bryant Cabin, Town of Miner's Delight (Hamilton City), South Pass Area, Wyoming

During the 1800s, Wyoming became the focus for American expansion into the trans-Mississippi west. Robert Stuart’s discovery of South Pass in October 1812 gave hope that a practical overland route to the Pacific (the route Lewis and Clark searched for but failed to find) did exist. By 1824, South Pass was in annual use by mountain men and trappers engaged in the Rocky Mountain Fur Trade. Soon trappers discovered connections that linked South Pass with the Snake and Columbia rivers and with the Hudson’s Bay Company holdings of the Pacific Northwest. Atlantic City, South Pass City State Historic Site, and the ghost town of Miner's Delight are remnants of a gold rush that took place in this area of Wyoming in the mid 1800's.  Thousands flocked to the South Pass area following finds of substantial gold at the Carissa Mine in 1867.This 30-square-mile area was a focal point for the discovery of gold in 1842 and the resultant 1867 gold rush that settled this part of Wyoming. By 1868, about 1,500 people lived in the District towns of South Pass and Atlantic City, but by 1872 the boom was over and the area was all but abandoned. Situated just a few miles east of Atlantic City are the ruins of the old mining camp of Miners Delight. The town got its start at about the same time as its sister mining camps of Atlantic City and South Pass City. Gold was first discovered here in Spring Gulch in 1867 and within no time, a mining camp sprang up that was named Hamilton City. However, because the largest and most productive mine, located on Peabody Hill, was called Miners Delight, most people called the town by the same name. The large mine was founded by Jonathan Pugh, and before long, the town’s name was officially changed to Miners Delight. The mine was initially rich enough that a 10-stamp mill was erected to crush the rock. However, like the nearby mining camps, Miners Delight soon found that the gold was more expensive to recover than it was worth and within a few years, its population fell dramatically from its peak of some 75 residents. The Miners Delight Mine first shut down in 1874, but soon reopened, only to shut down again in 1882. The mining camp recovered several times over the next several decades, in the early 20th century, and during the Great Depression. Over the years the mine produced over $5 million in gold ore. The town was inhabited as late as 1960.  Today the Miner's Delight ghost town is managed by the BLM.  Some 150,000 pioneers went west between the years of 1849 and 1852. By the mid-1850s, stage coaches and freight wagons were regular users of the California, Mormon Pioneer and Oregon trails, rolling both east and west through South Pass. For 19 months in 1860-61, the riders of the Pony Express transcontinental mail service thundered through the pass on an incredible schedule covering 2,000 miles from St. Joseph, Missouri, to San Francisco, California, in 10 days or less. By the late 1800s, the gold rush had diminished, but the Carissa Mine stayed open and processing until 1949!

"Longtime Cabin," Town of Miner's Delight (Hamilton City), South Pass Area, Wyoming

During the 1800s, Wyoming became the focus for American expansion into the trans-Mississippi west. Robert Stuart’s discovery of South Pass in October 1812 gave hope that a practical overland route to the Pacific (the route Lewis and Clark searched for but failed to find) did exist. By 1824, South Pass was in annual use by mountain men and trappers engaged in the Rocky Mountain Fur Trade. Soon trappers discovered connections that linked South Pass with the Snake and Columbia rivers and with the Hudson’s Bay Company holdings of the Pacific Northwest. Atlantic City, South Pass City State Historic Site, and the ghost town of Miner's Delight are remnants of a gold rush that took place in this area of Wyoming in the mid 1800's.  Thousands flocked to the South Pass area following finds of substantial gold at the Carissa Mine in 1867.This 30-square-mile area was a focal point for the discovery of gold in 1842 and the resultant 1867 gold rush that settled this part of Wyoming. By 1868, about 1,500 people lived in the District towns of South Pass and Atlantic City, but by 1872 the boom was over and the area was all but abandoned. Situated just a few miles east of Atlantic City are the ruins of the old mining camp of Miners Delight. The town got its start at about the same time as its sister mining camps of Atlantic City and South Pass City. Gold was first discovered here in Spring Gulch in 1867 and within no time, a mining camp sprang up that was named Hamilton City. However, because the largest and most productive mine, located on Peabody Hill, was called Miners Delight, most people called the town by the same name. The large mine was founded by Jonathan Pugh, and before long, the town’s name was officially changed to Miners Delight. The mine was initially rich enough that a 10-stamp mill was erected to crush the rock. However, like the nearby mining camps, Miners Delight soon found that the gold was more expensive to recover than it was worth and within a few years, its population fell dramatically from its peak of some 75 residents. The Miners Delight Mine first shut down in 1874, but soon reopened, only to shut down again in 1882. The mining camp recovered several times over the next several decades, in the early 20th century, and during the Great Depression. Over the years the mine produced over $5 million in gold ore. The town was inhabited as late as 1960.  Today the Miner's Delight ghost town is managed by the BLM.  Some 150,000 pioneers went west between the years of 1849 and 1852. By the mid-1850s, stage coaches and freight wagons were regular users of the California, Mormon Pioneer and Oregon trails, rolling both east and west through South Pass. For 19 months in 1860-61, the riders of the Pony Express transcontinental mail service thundered through the pass on an incredible schedule covering 2,000 miles from St. Joseph, Missouri, to San Francisco, California, in 10 days or less. By the late 1800s, the gold rush had diminished, but the Carissa Mine stayed open and processing until 1949!

"Longtime Cabin," Town of Miner's Delight (Hamilton City), South Pass Area, Wyoming

During the 1800s, Wyoming became the focus for American expansion into the trans-Mississippi west. Robert Stuart’s discovery of South Pass in October 1812 gave hope that a practical overland route to the Pacific (the route Lewis and Clark searched for but failed to find) did exist. By 1824, South Pass was in annual use by mountain men and trappers engaged in the Rocky Mountain Fur Trade. Soon trappers discovered connections that linked South Pass with the Snake and Columbia rivers and with the Hudson’s Bay Company holdings of the Pacific Northwest. Atlantic City, South Pass City State Historic Site, and the ghost town of Miner's Delight are remnants of a gold rush that took place in this area of Wyoming in the mid 1800's.  Thousands flocked to the South Pass area following finds of substantial gold at the Carissa Mine in 1867.This 30-square-mile area was a focal point for the discovery of gold in 1842 and the resultant 1867 gold rush that settled this part of Wyoming. By 1868, about 1,500 people lived in the District towns of South Pass and Atlantic City, but by 1872 the boom was over and the area was all but abandoned. Situated just a few miles east of Atlantic City are the ruins of the old mining camp of Miners Delight. The town got its start at about the same time as its sister mining camps of Atlantic City and South Pass City. Gold was first discovered here in Spring Gulch in 1867 and within no time, a mining camp sprang up that was named Hamilton City. However, because the largest and most productive mine, located on Peabody Hill, was called Miners Delight, most people called the town by the same name. The large mine was founded by Jonathan Pugh, and before long, the town’s name was officially changed to Miners Delight. The mine was initially rich enough that a 10-stamp mill was erected to crush the rock. However, like the nearby mining camps, Miners Delight soon found that the gold was more expensive to recover than it was worth and within a few years, its population fell dramatically from its peak of some 75 residents. The Miners Delight Mine first shut down in 1874, but soon reopened, only to shut down again in 1882. The mining camp recovered several times over the next several decades, in the early 20th century, and during the Great Depression. Over the years the mine produced over $5 million in gold ore. The town was inhabited as late as 1960.  Today the Miner's Delight ghost town is managed by the BLM.  Some 150,000 pioneers went west between the years of 1849 and 1852. By the mid-1850s, stage coaches and freight wagons were regular users of the California, Mormon Pioneer and Oregon trails, rolling both east and west through South Pass. For 19 months in 1860-61, the riders of the Pony Express transcontinental mail service thundered through the pass on an incredible schedule covering 2,000 miles from St. Joseph, Missouri, to San Francisco, California, in 10 days or less. By the late 1800s, the gold rush had diminished, but the Carissa Mine stayed open and processing until 1949!

"Saloon," Town of Miner's Delight (Hamilton City), South Pass Area, Wyoming

During the 1800s, Wyoming became the focus for American expansion into the trans-Mississippi west. Robert Stuart’s discovery of South Pass in October 1812 gave hope that a practical overland route to the Pacific (the route Lewis and Clark searched for but failed to find) did exist. By 1824, South Pass was in annual use by mountain men and trappers engaged in the Rocky Mountain Fur Trade. Soon trappers discovered connections that linked South Pass with the Snake and Columbia rivers and with the Hudson’s Bay Company holdings of the Pacific Northwest. Atlantic City, South Pass City State Historic Site, and the ghost town of Miner's Delight are remnants of a gold rush that took place in this area of Wyoming in the mid 1800's.  Thousands flocked to the South Pass area following finds of substantial gold at the Carissa Mine in 1867.This 30-square-mile area was a focal point for the discovery of gold in 1842 and the resultant 1867 gold rush that settled this part of Wyoming. By 1868, about 1,500 people lived in the District towns of South Pass and Atlantic City, but by 1872 the boom was over and the area was all but abandoned. Situated just a few miles east of Atlantic City are the ruins of the old mining camp of Miners Delight. The town got its start at about the same time as its sister mining camps of Atlantic City and South Pass City. Gold was first discovered here in Spring Gulch in 1867 and within no time, a mining camp sprang up that was named Hamilton City. However, because the largest and most productive mine, located on Peabody Hill, was called Miners Delight, most people called the town by the same name. The large mine was founded by Jonathan Pugh, and before long, the town’s name was officially changed to Miners Delight. The mine was initially rich enough that a 10-stamp mill was erected to crush the rock. However, like the nearby mining camps, Miners Delight soon found that the gold was more expensive to recover than it was worth and within a few years, its population fell dramatically from its peak of some 75 residents. The Miners Delight Mine first shut down in 1874, but soon reopened, only to shut down again in 1882. The mining camp recovered several times over the next several decades, in the early 20th century, and during the Great Depression. Over the years the mine produced over $5 million in gold ore. The town was inhabited as late as 1960.  Today the Miner's Delight ghost town is managed by the BLM.  Some 150,000 pioneers went west between the years of 1849 and 1852. By the mid-1850s, stage coaches and freight wagons were regular users of the California, Mormon Pioneer and Oregon trails, rolling both east and west through South Pass. For 19 months in 1860-61, the riders of the Pony Express transcontinental mail service thundered through the pass on an incredible schedule covering 2,000 miles from St. Joseph, Missouri, to San Francisco, California, in 10 days or less. By the late 1800s, the gold rush had diminished, but the Carissa Mine stayed open and processing until 1949!

Saloon and Bryant Cabin, Town of Miner's Delight (Hamilton City), South Pass Area, Wyoming

During the 1800s, Wyoming became the focus for American expansion into the trans-Mississippi west. Robert Stuart’s discovery of South Pass in October 1812 gave hope that a practical overland route to the Pacific (the route Lewis and Clark searched for but failed to find) did exist. By 1824, South Pass was in annual use by mountain men and trappers engaged in the Rocky Mountain Fur Trade. Soon trappers discovered connections that linked South Pass with the Snake and Columbia rivers and with the Hudson’s Bay Company holdings of the Pacific Northwest. Atlantic City, South Pass City State Historic Site, and the ghost town of Miner's Delight are remnants of a gold rush that took place in this area of Wyoming in the mid 1800's.  Thousands flocked to the South Pass area following finds of substantial gold at the Carissa Mine in 1867.This 30-square-mile area was a focal point for the discovery of gold in 1842 and the resultant 1867 gold rush that settled this part of Wyoming. By 1868, about 1,500 people lived in the District towns of South Pass and Atlantic City, but by 1872 the boom was over and the area was all but abandoned. Situated just a few miles east of Atlantic City are the ruins of the old mining camp of Miners Delight. The town got its start at about the same time as its sister mining camps of Atlantic City and South Pass City. Gold was first discovered here in Spring Gulch in 1867 and within no time, a mining camp sprang up that was named Hamilton City. However, because the largest and most productive mine, located on Peabody Hill, was called Miners Delight, most people called the town by the same name. The large mine was founded by Jonathan Pugh, and before long, the town’s name was officially changed to Miners Delight. The mine was initially rich enough that a 10-stamp mill was erected to crush the rock. However, like the nearby mining camps, Miners Delight soon found that the gold was more expensive to recover than it was worth and within a few years, its population fell dramatically from its peak of some 75 residents. The Miners Delight Mine first shut down in 1874, but soon reopened, only to shut down again in 1882. The mining camp recovered several times over the next several decades, in the early 20th century, and during the Great Depression. Over the years the mine produced over $5 million in gold ore. The town was inhabited as late as 1960.  Today the Miner's Delight ghost town is managed by the BLM.  Some 150,000 pioneers went west between the years of 1849 and 1852. By the mid-1850s, stage coaches and freight wagons were regular users of the California, Mormon Pioneer and Oregon trails, rolling both east and west through South Pass. For 19 months in 1860-61, the riders of the Pony Express transcontinental mail service thundered through the pass on an incredible schedule covering 2,000 miles from St. Joseph, Missouri, to San Francisco, California, in 10 days or less. By the late 1800s, the gold rush had diminished, but the Carissa Mine stayed open and processing until 1949!

Bryant Cabin, Town of Miner's Delight (Hamilton City), South Pass Area, Wyoming

During the 1800s, Wyoming became the focus for American expansion into the trans-Mississippi west. Robert Stuart’s discovery of South Pass in October 1812 gave hope that a practical overland route to the Pacific (the route Lewis and Clark searched for but failed to find) did exist. By 1824, South Pass was in annual use by mountain men and trappers engaged in the Rocky Mountain Fur Trade. Soon trappers discovered connections that linked South Pass with the Snake and Columbia rivers and with the Hudson’s Bay Company holdings of the Pacific Northwest. Atlantic City, South Pass City State Historic Site, and the ghost town of Miner's Delight are remnants of a gold rush that took place in this area of Wyoming in the mid 1800's.  Thousands flocked to the South Pass area following finds of substantial gold at the Carissa Mine in 1867.This 30-square-mile area was a focal point for the discovery of gold in 1842 and the resultant 1867 gold rush that settled this part of Wyoming. By 1868, about 1,500 people lived in the District towns of South Pass and Atlantic City, but by 1872 the boom was over and the area was all but abandoned. Situated just a few miles east of Atlantic City are the ruins of the old mining camp of Miners Delight. The town got its start at about the same time as its sister mining camps of Atlantic City and South Pass City. Gold was first discovered here in Spring Gulch in 1867 and within no time, a mining camp sprang up that was named Hamilton City. However, because the largest and most productive mine, located on Peabody Hill, was called Miners Delight, most people called the town by the same name. The large mine was founded by Jonathan Pugh, and before long, the town’s name was officially changed to Miners Delight. The mine was initially rich enough that a 10-stamp mill was erected to crush the rock. However, like the nearby mining camps, Miners Delight soon found that the gold was more expensive to recover than it was worth and within a few years, its population fell dramatically from its peak of some 75 residents. The Miners Delight Mine first shut down in 1874, but soon reopened, only to shut down again in 1882. The mining camp recovered several times over the next several decades, in the early 20th century, and during the Great Depression. Over the years the mine produced over $5 million in gold ore. The town was inhabited as late as 1960.  Today the Miner's Delight ghost town is managed by the BLM.  Some 150,000 pioneers went west between the years of 1849 and 1852. By the mid-1850s, stage coaches and freight wagons were regular users of the California, Mormon Pioneer and Oregon trails, rolling both east and west through South Pass. For 19 months in 1860-61, the riders of the Pony Express transcontinental mail service thundered through the pass on an incredible schedule covering 2,000 miles from St. Joseph, Missouri, to San Francisco, California, in 10 days or less. By the late 1800s, the gold rush had diminished, but the Carissa Mine stayed open and processing until 1949!

Town of Miner's Delight (Hamilton City), South Pass Area, Wyoming

During the 1800s, Wyoming became the focus for American expansion into the trans-Mississippi west. Robert Stuart’s discovery of South Pass in October 1812 gave hope that a practical overland route to the Pacific (the route Lewis and Clark searched for but failed to find) did exist. By 1824, South Pass was in annual use by mountain men and trappers engaged in the Rocky Mountain Fur Trade. Soon trappers discovered connections that linked South Pass with the Snake and Columbia rivers and with the Hudson’s Bay Company holdings of the Pacific Northwest. Atlantic City, South Pass City State Historic Site, and the ghost town of Miner's Delight are remnants of a gold rush that took place in this area of Wyoming in the mid 1800's.  Thousands flocked to the South Pass area following finds of substantial gold at the Carissa Mine in 1867.This 30-square-mile area was a focal point for the discovery of gold in 1842 and the resultant 1867 gold rush that settled this part of Wyoming. By 1868, about 1,500 people lived in the District towns of South Pass and Atlantic City, but by 1872 the boom was over and the area was all but abandoned. Situated just a few miles east of Atlantic City are the ruins of the old mining camp of Miners Delight. The town got its start at about the same time as its sister mining camps of Atlantic City and South Pass City. Gold was first discovered here in Spring Gulch in 1867 and within no time, a mining camp sprang up that was named Hamilton City. However, because the largest and most productive mine, located on Peabody Hill, was called Miners Delight, most people called the town by the same name. The large mine was founded by Jonathan Pugh, and before long, the town’s name was officially changed to Miners Delight. The mine was initially rich enough that a 10-stamp mill was erected to crush the rock. However, like the nearby mining camps, Miners Delight soon found that the gold was more expensive to recover than it was worth and within a few years, its population fell dramatically from its peak of some 75 residents. The Miners Delight Mine first shut down in 1874, but soon reopened, only to shut down again in 1882. The mining camp recovered several times over the next several decades, in the early 20th century, and during the Great Depression. Over the years the mine produced over $5 million in gold ore. The town was inhabited as late as 1960.  Today the Miner's Delight ghost town is managed by the BLM.  Some 150,000 pioneers went west between the years of 1849 and 1852. By the mid-1850s, stage coaches and freight wagons were regular users of the California, Mormon Pioneer and Oregon trails, rolling both east and west through South Pass. For 19 months in 1860-61, the riders of the Pony Express transcontinental mail service thundered through the pass on an incredible schedule covering 2,000 miles from St. Joseph, Missouri, to San Francisco, California, in 10 days or less. By the late 1800s, the gold rush had diminished, but the Carissa Mine stayed open and processing until 1949!

Bryant Cabin,Town of Miner's Delight (Hamilton City), South Pass Area, Wyoming

During the 1800s, Wyoming became the focus for American expansion into the trans-Mississippi west. Robert Stuart’s discovery of South Pass in October 1812 gave hope that a practical overland route to the Pacific (the route Lewis and Clark searched for but failed to find) did exist. By 1824, South Pass was in annual use by mountain men and trappers engaged in the Rocky Mountain Fur Trade. Soon trappers discovered connections that linked South Pass with the Snake and Columbia rivers and with the Hudson’s Bay Company holdings of the Pacific Northwest. Atlantic City, South Pass City State Historic Site, and the ghost town of Miner's Delight are remnants of a gold rush that took place in this area of Wyoming in the mid 1800's.  Thousands flocked to the South Pass area following finds of substantial gold at the Carissa Mine in 1867.This 30-square-mile area was a focal point for the discovery of gold in 1842 and the resultant 1867 gold rush that settled this part of Wyoming. By 1868, about 1,500 people lived in the District towns of South Pass and Atlantic City, but by 1872 the boom was over and the area was all but abandoned. Situated just a few miles east of Atlantic City are the ruins of the old mining camp of Miners Delight. The town got its start at about the same time as its sister mining camps of Atlantic City and South Pass City. Gold was first discovered here in Spring Gulch in 1867 and within no time, a mining camp sprang up that was named Hamilton City. However, because the largest and most productive mine, located on Peabody Hill, was called Miners Delight, most people called the town by the same name. The large mine was founded by Jonathan Pugh, and before long, the town’s name was officially changed to Miners Delight. The mine was initially rich enough that a 10-stamp mill was erected to crush the rock. However, like the nearby mining camps, Miners Delight soon found that the gold was more expensive to recover than it was worth and within a few years, its population fell dramatically from its peak of some 75 residents. The Miners Delight Mine first shut down in 1874, but soon reopened, only to shut down again in 1882. The mining camp recovered several times over the next several decades, in the early 20th century, and during the Great Depression. Over the years the mine produced over $5 million in gold ore. The town was inhabited as late as 1960.  Today the Miner's Delight ghost town is managed by the BLM.  Some 150,000 pioneers went west between the years of 1849 and 1852. By the mid-1850s, stage coaches and freight wagons were regular users of the California, Mormon Pioneer and Oregon trails, rolling both east and west through South Pass. For 19 months in 1860-61, the riders of the Pony Express transcontinental mail service thundered through the pass on an incredible schedule covering 2,000 miles from St. Joseph, Missouri, to San Francisco, California, in 10 days or less. By the late 1800s, the gold rush had diminished, but the Carissa Mine stayed open and processing until 1949!

Town of Miner's Delight (Hamilton City), South Pass Area, Wyoming

During the 1800s, Wyoming became the focus for American expansion into the trans-Mississippi west. Robert Stuart’s discovery of South Pass in October 1812 gave hope that a practical overland route to the Pacific (the route Lewis and Clark searched for but failed to find) did exist. By 1824, South Pass was in annual use by mountain men and trappers engaged in the Rocky Mountain Fur Trade. Soon trappers discovered connections that linked South Pass with the Snake and Columbia rivers and with the Hudson’s Bay Company holdings of the Pacific Northwest. Atlantic City, South Pass City State Historic Site, and the ghost town of Miner's Delight are remnants of a gold rush that took place in this area of Wyoming in the mid 1800's.  Thousands flocked to the South Pass area following finds of substantial gold at the Carissa Mine in 1867.This 30-square-mile area was a focal point for the discovery of gold in 1842 and the resultant 1867 gold rush that settled this part of Wyoming. By 1868, about 1,500 people lived in the District towns of South Pass and Atlantic City, but by 1872 the boom was over and the area was all but abandoned. Situated just a few miles east of Atlantic City are the ruins of the old mining camp of Miners Delight. The town got its start at about the same time as its sister mining camps of Atlantic City and South Pass City. Gold was first discovered here in Spring Gulch in 1867 and within no time, a mining camp sprang up that was named Hamilton City. However, because the largest and most productive mine, located on Peabody Hill, was called Miners Delight, most people called the town by the same name. The large mine was founded by Jonathan Pugh, and before long, the town’s name was officially changed to Miners Delight. The mine was initially rich enough that a 10-stamp mill was erected to crush the rock. However, like the nearby mining camps, Miners Delight soon found that the gold was more expensive to recover than it was worth and within a few years, its population fell dramatically from its peak of some 75 residents. The Miners Delight Mine first shut down in 1874, but soon reopened, only to shut down again in 1882. The mining camp recovered several times over the next several decades, in the early 20th century, and during the Great Depression. Over the years the mine produced over $5 million in gold ore. The town was inhabited as late as 1960.  Today the Miner's Delight ghost town is managed by the BLM.  Some 150,000 pioneers went west between the years of 1849 and 1852. By the mid-1850s, stage coaches and freight wagons were regular users of the California, Mormon Pioneer and Oregon trails, rolling both east and west through South Pass. For 19 months in 1860-61, the riders of the Pony Express transcontinental mail service thundered through the pass on an incredible schedule covering 2,000 miles from St. Joseph, Missouri, to San Francisco, California, in 10 days or less. By the late 1800s, the gold rush had diminished, but the Carissa Mine stayed open and processing until 1949!

Town of Miner's Delight (Hamilton City), South Pass Area, Wyoming

During the 1800s, Wyoming became the focus for American expansion into the trans-Mississippi west. Robert Stuart’s discovery of South Pass in October 1812 gave hope that a practical overland route to the Pacific (the route Lewis and Clark searched for but failed to find) did exist. By 1824, South Pass was in annual use by mountain men and trappers engaged in the Rocky Mountain Fur Trade. Soon trappers discovered connections that linked South Pass with the Snake and Columbia rivers and with the Hudson’s Bay Company holdings of the Pacific Northwest. Atlantic City, South Pass City State Historic Site, and the ghost town of Miner's Delight are remnants of a gold rush that took place in this area of Wyoming in the mid 1800's.  Thousands flocked to the South Pass area following finds of substantial gold at the Carissa Mine in 1867.This 30-square-mile area was a focal point for the discovery of gold in 1842 and the resultant 1867 gold rush that settled this part of Wyoming. By 1868, about 1,500 people lived in the District towns of South Pass and Atlantic City, but by 1872 the boom was over and the area was all but abandoned. Situated just a few miles east of Atlantic City are the ruins of the old mining camp of Miners Delight. The town got its start at about the same time as its sister mining camps of Atlantic City and South Pass City. Gold was first discovered here in Spring Gulch in 1867 and within no time, a mining camp sprang up that was named Hamilton City. However, because the largest and most productive mine, located on Peabody Hill, was called Miners Delight, most people called the town by the same name. The large mine was founded by Jonathan Pugh, and before long, the town’s name was officially changed to Miners Delight. The mine was initially rich enough that a 10-stamp mill was erected to crush the rock. However, like the nearby mining camps, Miners Delight soon found that the gold was more expensive to recover than it was worth and within a few years, its population fell dramatically from its peak of some 75 residents. The Miners Delight Mine first shut down in 1874, but soon reopened, only to shut down again in 1882. The mining camp recovered several times over the next several decades, in the early 20th century, and during the Great Depression. Over the years the mine produced over $5 million in gold ore. The town was inhabited as late as 1960.  Today the Miner's Delight ghost town is managed by the BLM.  Some 150,000 pioneers went west between the years of 1849 and 1852. By the mid-1850s, stage coaches and freight wagons were regular users of the California, Mormon Pioneer and Oregon trails, rolling both east and west through South Pass. For 19 months in 1860-61, the riders of the Pony Express transcontinental mail service thundered through the pass on an incredible schedule covering 2,000 miles from St. Joseph, Missouri, to San Francisco, California, in 10 days or less. By the late 1800s, the gold rush had diminished, but the Carissa Mine stayed open and processing until 1949!

Town of Miner's Delight (Hamilton City), South Pass Area, Wyoming

During the 1800s, Wyoming became the focus for American expansion into the trans-Mississippi west. Robert Stuart’s discovery of South Pass in October 1812 gave hope that a practical overland route to the Pacific (the route Lewis and Clark searched for but failed to find) did exist. By 1824, South Pass was in annual use by mountain men and trappers engaged in the Rocky Mountain Fur Trade. Soon trappers discovered connections that linked South Pass with the Snake and Columbia rivers and with the Hudson’s Bay Company holdings of the Pacific Northwest. Atlantic City, South Pass City State Historic Site, and the ghost town of Miner's Delight are remnants of a gold rush that took place in this area of Wyoming in the mid 1800's.  Thousands flocked to the South Pass area following finds of substantial gold at the Carissa Mine in 1867.This 30-square-mile area was a focal point for the discovery of gold in 1842 and the resultant 1867 gold rush that settled this part of Wyoming. By 1868, about 1,500 people lived in the District towns of South Pass and Atlantic City, but by 1872 the boom was over and the area was all but abandoned. Situated just a few miles east of Atlantic City are the ruins of the old mining camp of Miners Delight. The town got its start at about the same time as its sister mining camps of Atlantic City and South Pass City. Gold was first discovered here in Spring Gulch in 1867 and within no time, a mining camp sprang up that was named Hamilton City. However, because the largest and most productive mine, located on Peabody Hill, was called Miners Delight, most people called the town by the same name. The large mine was founded by Jonathan Pugh, and before long, the town’s name was officially changed to Miners Delight. The mine was initially rich enough that a 10-stamp mill was erected to crush the rock. However, like the nearby mining camps, Miners Delight soon found that the gold was more expensive to recover than it was worth and within a few years, its population fell dramatically from its peak of some 75 residents. The Miners Delight Mine first shut down in 1874, but soon reopened, only to shut down again in 1882. The mining camp recovered several times over the next several decades, in the early 20th century, and during the Great Depression. Over the years the mine produced over $5 million in gold ore. The town was inhabited as late as 1960.  Today the Miner's Delight ghost town is managed by the BLM.  Some 150,000 pioneers went west between the years of 1849 and 1852. By the mid-1850s, stage coaches and freight wagons were regular users of the California, Mormon Pioneer and Oregon trails, rolling both east and west through South Pass. For 19 months in 1860-61, the riders of the Pony Express transcontinental mail service thundered through the pass on an incredible schedule covering 2,000 miles from St. Joseph, Missouri, to San Francisco, California, in 10 days or less. By the late 1800s, the gold rush had diminished, but the Carissa Mine stayed open and processing until 1949!