Rock Springs Historical Museum - 201 B Street
Begin your tour with a visit to the Rock Springs Historic Museum. Construction of this city hall was largely financed through the collection of liquor license fees. “Quicksand” discovered at the site necessitated a massive 14-foot foundation. Built during the Panic of 1893, the Richardsonian Romanesque architecture projected an image of strength and permanence. This building was not only the center of local government, but also provided an economic and social center for Southwest Wyoming and portions of Utah and Colorado. Vacated in 1982, volunteers reopened the old city hall as a museum during the city’s centennial celebration in 1988. It closed temporarily in 1991-92 for a two million dollar restoration project.Admission is FREE and the musuem is open Monday through Saturday, 10 am to 5 pm.
Federal Post Office Building - 210 B Street
Use the B Street exit of the museum and cross the street to the former Federal Post Office Building. The construction of the Post Office building in 1911 also required unusual techniques, as this site was directly over coal mine tunnels. Sixteen holes were drilled, pipes inserted in each hole, and concrete poured down each pipe until the tunnels were filled.
Home Furniture Company - 211 B Street
Before you begin walking south along B Street, look across the street at the Eagles building next to the museum. It was built in 1923 and housed the Home Furniture Company, “the finest furniture store between Omaha and Ogden.” Advertisements were hand painted on the north and south walls of the building. In 1945 the Eagles acquired and completely renovated the building.
Masonic Temple - 218 B Street
The Rock Springs Masonic Temple is still in use as originally designed in 1912. The floor of the ballroom warped during construction, so railroad boxcar springs were put underneath to add support. It had the reputation of being the best dance floor in the area.
Western Auto Transit Company - B Street
The arched windows and door in the building across the street were three garage bays of the Wyoming Auto Transit Company (later the Western Auto Transit Company). Built in 1910, it was advertised as “Southern Wyoming’s oldest automobile dealer.”The foundation of the Episcopal Church at the corner was laid in 1924. Financial conditions and World War II delayed completion until 1950. This area of the city had an unusually large number of churches in the late 1800’s. Within three blocks were church buildings for the following denominations (construction dates are in parenthesis): Congregational (1881), Methodist (1882), Catholic (1884), Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints (1886), Episcopal (1888), Finnish Lutheran (1897), and Baptist (1913).Walk across Second Street. The first school classes in Rock Springs were held in the dugout home of the teacher. Each of the six pupils spoke a different language.In 1874, a one-room schoolhouse was built on this corner.It was replaced by a large rock school constructed in 1891. When dismantled in 1933, WPA workers used the timbers and stones to construct the stadium of what was East Junior High.
Old High School/Old Rock School (RSNB Bank) - 316 B Street
By 1916 overcrowding necessitated the building of a larger school on this site. Modern innovations (a vacuum cleaning system, indirect lighting, and a suspended track) made it one of the largest and best school facilities in the state. The building was removed in the 2000s to make way for the new RSNB Bank building. In constructing the new building, the architects paid homage to the former high school, especially with the turrets on the new bank building. At the 1945 planting ceremony of the “Hero Tree” on the right lawn, junior high school students lit a candle for each Rock Springs student who died in World War II.
Community Fine Arts Center - 400 C Street
Cross the street and cut though the parking lot of the Community Fine Arts Center. Inside is an excellent art collection of over 400 original American works, including paintings by Norman Rockwell and Grandma Moses. This collection has been featured in both “Time” and “Life” magazines. The 1929 building was formerly a red brick Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints and was purchased in 1965 to house the art collection.After visiting the Community Fine Arts Center, walk north on C Street back toward the downtown area. In the 1800’s C Street was a gully four feet wide and four feet deep. An 1895 cloudburst sent water rushing down C Street bringing outhouses, chicken coops, baby buggies, bales of hay, wagons, chickens, and other things in its wake. After this flood, many of the residents on this street built concrete walls around their property.
Elks Lodge - 307 C Street
The Italian Renaissance Revival architectural style of the Elks’ building is a reflection of the optimism of Rock Springs in the early 1920’s. The arcaded porch, balustraded deck, arched windows, and terra-cotta medallions make it one of the most distinctive lodge buildings in Wyoming. Rock Springs’ first radio station (KVRS) originated from this building.
Lincoln Highway Garage - C Street
Cross Second Street and continue walking north. The parking lot across the street was the location of the Lincoln Highway Garage and later McCurtain Motors.Several garages and dealerships were strategically located along this portion of the Lincoln Highway – the first transcontinental highway. Automobiles competing in The Great Race of 1908 traveled down C Street along this same route. The old Home Furniture Company advertisement on the south wall of the Eagle’s building is easily seen from here.The fire station was on this side of old city hall. A leather strap kept the horses in an area at the back. When the fire bell rang, the strap dropped, and the horses were trained to run out and wait under harnesses that were lowered from the ceiling.Cross Broadway and continue walking north. In the early days of the community, Broadway was nicknamed “Back Street.” It was behind the main business street, and most of the stores on old South Front went through the block and had back entrances on “Back Street.”Turn right to cross C Street, and walk east along South Main Street. South Main Street (formerly South Front) was the first street in Rock Springs. It wasn’t until 1908 that the aging boardwalks of South Front were replaced with cement sidewalks.
Stockgrowers Mercantile Company - 406-410 South Main Street
This is one of the oldest buildings in Rock Springs. It was built of cut sandstone in the 1870’s for Tim Kinney and Company. Purchased in 1907 by a group of ranchers, it became the Stockgrowers Mercantile Company.Advertisements claimed that customers could buy anything from, “A needle to an anchor at Southwestern Wyoming’s largest Department Store.” The white glazed brick façade was added during remodeling in the 1920’s.
Kellogg and Holmes Kandy House - 416-420 South Main Street
This was originally two frame buildings. Kellogg and Holmes Kandy House was here in the early 1900’s. Howard Kellogg later opened the popular Howard’s Café.Keith’s Clothing occupied 416 South Main in the late 1920’s and Schramm-Johnson Drug Store was located in 420. Early in the twenties, remodeling joined the two buildings with a brick façade. The New Studio has been in continuous operation since 1919 and has interesting early photographs available for viewing.
Navy Saloon - 426 South Main Street
The first bank in town, Sweetwater Country Bank, opened here in 1887. Senior bank employees in Laramie turned down the “opportunity” of opening a bank in Rock Springs after visiting and reporting that Chinese miners were, “too numerous and white men too few.”Young Augustine Kendall took the opportunity, however, and leased this building. It had previously housed a butcher shop and was, “permeated with the ineradicable odor of the four legged variety of stock.” After a year, Kendall moved to better facilities down the block. The Navy Saloon was here in the early 1900’s. In the mid 1920’s, the building was bricked and a third story added, becoming the Yellowstone Hotel. The Plaza Hotel was here in the 1930’s with a Montgomery Ward store on the first floor.
Pacific Market - 432 South Main Street
William O’Donnell’s Central Meat Market operated from here in 1889. O’Donnell was a pioneer citizen, first mayor, and liaison between the Chinese miners and the Union Pacific Coal Company. Otto Schnauber opened the Pacific Market at the location in 1897. After the Pacific Market moved in 1912, the building was occupied by a series of jewelry stores, one of which installed the large safe at the front of the store.
Rock Springs Pharmacy - 440 South Main Street
The architecture of this building is one of the most interesting in Rock Springs and representative of the Late Victorian Italianate style. Surprisingly, the cut sandstone is only a façade, as the building is actually constructed of brick. The Rock Springs Pharmacy was located here in the early 1900’s. Extensive remodeling occurred in 1924 when the F.W. Woolworth Company opened a store here; however, the upper story retains the fine stone work, decorative cornice and distinctive cupola.
First National Bank of Rock Springs - 450 South Main Street
Built in 1888 to house the First National Bank of Rock Springs (formerly the Sweetwater County Bank), this structure was originally cut sandstone but was remodeled after a fire in the 1800’s. The cupola and cornice were removed and some second-story windows covered. Others were reduced in size.
First National Bank - 502 South Main Street
Cross Bank Court. Several buildings here were demolished in 1919 for construction of Bank Court and the impressive First National Bank building. While at this location, the bank became affiliated with the First Security Bank system. This building displays the most extensive use of terra cotta in the Southwest area of the state and has ornate architectural details.
Grand Cafe - 510 South Main Street
In 1914, a Chinese immigrant, Leo Hung, began working as a dishwasher in the Grand Cafe. He worked 16 hours a day for a daily wage of 50 cents. As a result of his service in World War I, Hung was eligible for naturalization and became a U.S. citizen at ceremonies in San Francisco in 1919. It is believed he was one of the first Chinese, if not the first, to receive American citizenship. In the late 1920’s, local unions held banquets at the Grand Café in honor of the elderly Chinese miners returning the China.
Rock Springs National Bank - 518 South Main
The second bank established in town was organized by Timothy Kinney. The bank name and date of construction are inscribed in the stonework on the front of the building.The contractor was H.H. Edgar who later became mayor.People coming to Rock Springs in the 1870’s recalled the only buildings were the big rock store on the corner and a row of houses in this vacant lot. The houses were red and made of 2x4’s laid one on top of another.
Beeman and Neuber Mercantile Co. - 556 South Main Street
East of the vacant lot is the old Beeman and Neuber Mercantile building. During the early and mid 1900’s, it housed the Playmore Ball Room, a popular spot for wrestling, boxing, skating, bowling, and dancing to the live music of Lawrence Welk, Harry James, Glen Miller, Guy Lombardo, and a local favorite, “Ike’s Orchestra.”
Beckwith-Quinn and Company - South Main & E Street
Constructed at this site in 1870, and demolished in the late 1960’s, the rock Beckwith-Quinn Company store was the first permanent building in Rock Springs. Store counters doubled as a stage for community programs and aisles were used for dancing. Beckwith-Quinn handled the payroll for the Union Pacific Mines and contracted with them to bring Chinese workers to Wyoming. A Chinese department of the store was staffed by an interpreter and local Chinese.
Union Pacific Freight Station - 603 South Main Street
Cross South Main Street to the grass park. The building on your right is a 1917 Union Pacific freight station. The buildings of the UP No. 1 mine extended southeast of the freight station. No. 1 Mine opened in 1868 and was the first mine operating on a large scale in the Rock Springs coal field. It had a daily output of 2,000 tons of coal and was in operation nearly forty years. It is said to have been the largest mine ever operated through one opening, the area worked being 1,800 acres.In the first 15 years of the town’s development, E Street continued across the tracks. Additions to the original freight station closed the street, and the UP constructed a steel pedestrian viaduct above the tracks so residents could cross the eight tracks dividing the town.Walk along the grass toward the train depot. You have a good view of the dates and names inscribed near the tops of the buildings across the street.
Union Pacific Railroad Depot - 501 South Main Street
This depot was built in 1900 and replaced an earlier frame structure. It was the hub of travel and commerce in Rock Springs through World War II. During March of 1943, an average of 100 trains passed through Rock Springs every 24 hours. One fourth of those were passenger trains.Walk west across the grass to the monuments honoring the thousands of men who labored in the mines of Rock Springs. Much of the city is built over the old mine shafts. In many cases it was necessary to drill through the mine workings and anchor building foundations to solid rock. From here you can see the Montgomery Ward sign on the side of the old Plaza Hotel across the street.Continue west and walk through the pedestrian underpass. Exit to the right. The roof lines of the buildings across the street are much the same as they were in the early 1900’s.Cross North Front Street.
Western Cafe - 403 North Front Street
During World War I, the cafe in this building and the meat market at 431 North Front both changed their names in protest against the German Empire. The Vienna Café became the Western Cafe, and the Vienna Meat Market became the Crystal Market.
Travelute Clothing - 411 North Front Street
This was originally two separate buildings housing an early moving picture theater, candy store, and millinery. A second story was added onto the east building in 1914. Travelute Clothing was here in the thirties when a brick facade was added connecting the fronts of the two buildings. F.W. Woolworth occupied the building through the 1970’s. This is one of several stores along the walking tour that has retained embossed tin ceilings and original interior fixtures.
Miller Pharmacy - 421-425 North Front Street
This was originally a two-story, wood building constructed in 1909. Miller Pharmacy and Radio Pool Hall were early occupants. In 1929, J.C. Penney Company Dry Goods moved here from its original location down the street.
Crystal Meat Market - 431 North Front
Built as a saloon, this building housed the Crystal Meat Market in 1899. The market was in business through World War II. the black and white ceramic tile façade is representative of Art Deco architecture popular in the mid- 1900’s.
Heitz Hardware Company - 443 North Front Street
A saloon and bottle works were the first occupants here. By the late 1890’s, the Patterson Harness and Bicycle Shop was at this location. Heitz Hardware was located here by 1925. This is one of the oldest remaining wood, commercial buildings in Rock Springs.
Labor Temple - 455-459 North Front Street
The first building at this location was a little rock home. In 1878 a mine cave-in occurred directly under the house. All that saved the family was the carpet securely tacked around the edges. It supported them until friends reached through the doorway and helped them to safety.In 1889 the wooden Edgar Opera House was on this lot. It burned down five years later and was replaced with this stone building. The United Mine Workers of America purchased the building and mounted a stone “Labor Temple 1914” sign on the roof above the corner door. Douglas Preston, the first criminal attorney of Wyoming, had his office upstairs. Among his early cases was the defense of Butch Cassidy.Prize fights, bartenders’ and firemen’s balls, traveling vaudeville troupes and plays were held in the Union Opera House. The seats could be slid under the stage and around the walls for dances. Later, the Grand Movie Theater was here, and as many as four different movies were shown in one week. Each Saturday, children paid the ten-cent admission to watch continuing serial movies that lasted for weeks.Cross J Street and continue walking along North Front.Calamity Jane worked in the variety show and beer garden of old “Uncle George Harris” on North Front Street. She lived in a dugout on M Street and announced her appearances in town by emptying both six shooters while “shouting verbal oaths well tarnished.” Even though she stirred things up when she visited Rock Springs in the 1880’s and early 1890’s, no one remembered her doing any unjust harm. She was described as being her own worst enemy.
Chicago Meat Market - 515 North Front Street
Constructed in 1909, this building housed the Chicago Meat Market and was the location of the first ice machine in the city. The second floor has been used as the I.O.O.F. hall since 1912.
Golden Rule Store - 531 North Front Street
This building was originally stone and housed the Golden Rule Mercantile Company by 1903. The store’s name was the owners’ public commitment to treat customers the way they would want to be treated. W.F. Partin was a partner and the proprietor of the Rock Springs store, the second store in the chain. J.C. Penney bought out his partners in 1913, and by 1941 opened the 1600th store. An average of one new store opened every 10 days for 40 years. When the Golden Rule Store closed, free merchandise was thrown from the upper-level windows to the crowd below.
Viaduct Saloon - 535 North Front Street
A barber and tailor were the first occupants of this building in the early 1890’s. The Viaduct Saloon, named because of its proximity to the pedestrian viaduct over the tracks, was located here by 1903.Another of the many saloons on North Front Street was run by the Brewery in Green River. In 1892 the Rock Springs agent advertised that, “No man, woman, or child should let a day pass without drinking a good glass of beer. Beer is an article of food and nourishing as bread if it is pure and free from adulteration.”
Rex Hotel - 545 North Front Street
A jewelry and candy store were originally housed in this 1909 building. The Lyric Theater in the rear of the building was considered the most up-to-date movie theater, as it changed performances and features nightly.Dogs caused problems by fighting in the aisles of the movie theaters until theater managers advertised “no dogs of any size will be admitted...no exceptions.” When the Rex Amusement Company purchased the building in 1924, it modernized the facility and added the neon sign at the front.
Quirk Drugs - 553 North Front Street
The 1920’s building on this corner was first occupied by the Heitz Hardware Store, later Quirk Drugs, and then Parker Brother Drugs.Turn the corner and walk north on K Street.The entrance at 19 K Street was to Hudak’s Department Store. Both stores in this building have unique corner entrances, suspended embossed awnings, and interior balconies typical of this period.The corner of the parking lot across the street was the site of the St. James Hotel and later the Belmont Hotel. The Belmont rented space to one of the city’s early newspapers, the Independent, which later became the Rocket. The Rock Springs Miner began in 1881 and claimed to have a larger circulation than the combined circulation of all other papers published in Sweetwater County. The Rocket’s first publication was in 1907 in hopes of “launching a rocket boosting Rock Springs and the resources here.” The present name of the Daily Rocket-Miner was adopted in 1965. Rock Springs even had an Italian language newspaper, Il Grido del Popolo.The North Side State Bank built a three-story building at this site in 1924. That structure was demolished in 1992, but the ornate marble carving above the door is now on display inside the newer structure.Also located in the bank parking lot was the Sweetwater Provision and Supply, a meat market owned by Otto Schnauber and William Gottsche in the 1890’s. In 1891 they employed Robert LeRoy Parker who became the well-known outlaw, Butch Cassidy. A biography written by Parker’s sister claims he received the nickname “Butch” while working in butcher shops in Rock Springs.While in Rock Springs, Butch was arrested for stealing a drunkard’s money but was released due to lack of evidence or witnesses. Upset at having been falsely incarcerated, he “cursed the officers, the judge, the town, the county, and the entire state of Wyoming.” Shortly thereafter, Cassidy returned to his outlaw lifestyle.
Union Mercantile Company - 105 K Street
Cross Fifth Street. In 1893 with the memory of the Chinese riot and union activity fresh in his mind, Henry Bertagnolli named his new store the Union Mercantile and Supply Company. The founders hoped to draw working class customers away from the Union Pacific Coal Company Store. The Union Merc operated in this building from the 1920’s until it closed in 1978. An interesting charge plan called the “McKaskey System” was used until 1938. Mouse traps for each account were hung on a large board in the office. When items were purchased, the amount to be charged plus the balance due were clipped onto the mouse trap.
New Grand Cafe - 117 K Street
The 1911 date of construction is on the front of this building. A group of local businessmen opened the North Side State Bank here in 1912. To accommodate the miners on Union Pacific pay days, the bank opened an additional hour from 7:30 p.m. to 8:30 p.m. After the bank moved, the North Side Cafe and De La Mare Hotel were here. The New Grand Cafe operated in this building until the 1990’s.
Amazon Club and Rooms - 147-151 K Street
Cross Noble Drive. By 1930, 149 K Street housed the Amazon Club with the Amazon Rooms upstairs. In 1903, 40 percent of Rock Springs businesses were saloons and all were located on the streets you are now walking—eight on South Front, seven on North Front, eight on K Street, and seven on Pilot Butte Avenue. During prohibition, these saloons operated as “coffee bars” or “soft drink parlors.” In the early decades of the 1900’s, nearly all of the saloons had “sleeping” quarters upstairs. Few of these rooms were intended for use as lodgings by tourists.
Bridge Livery and Feed Stable - 153 K Street
In 1908, this was the location of Hodge’s Bridge Livery and Feed Stable. The second floor overhang at the rear of the old Hodge home (157 K) is unusual.A 1945 National Geographic Magazine described “winding K Street” where “you see French bakeries, Mexican chili parlors, Greek candy shops, Chinese laundries, and Jewish markets.” There were so many ethnic restaurants in Rock Spring that a 1920 newspaper article announcing the opening of the Langely Cafe said, “For the first time in many years, Rock Springs has an American Cafe.”Cross K Street and walk on the left side of Pilot Butte Avenue.No one expected Rock Springs to be permanent, so there wasn’t much effort at city planning. Buildings were haphazardly built Pilot Butte Avenue and K Street, and streets were later laid out around them. This twisting “S” shaped road was known as Crooked Street. An improvement project in 1937 made Pilot Butte Avenue “one of the handsomest thoroughfares in the state.” It was widened and straightened, buildings were moved back or demolished, and new fronts were built on almost all the stores.Drunken cowboys once hung a man on a street pole at this intersection. Cowboys were known to ride into the saloons, order their drinks, and even play pool while still sitting on their horses. When the cowboys came into town on payday, they were so rowdy that local people dubbed them “that wild bunch from Brown’s Hole.” After a while, the Wild Bunch name was applied to the outlaw gang.Okano’s Fish Market was located on this vacant lot. Fish were displayed in front of the store in barrels filled with ice. Cats were a constant nuisance. This was the earlier location of the Star Theater, the first in Rock Springs. Traveling stage shows were replaced with photographic slides shown by “a new-fangled Magic Lantern.” The Star brought the first “flickers” to Rock Springs.
Young Hotel - 631 Pilot Butte Ave
For many years, the Wyoming Meat Market was in the building at 623 Pilot Butte Avenue. The name and 1922 construction date of the Young Hotel are carved near the top of 631 Pilot Butte. The ground floor housed a dry goods and grocery store.As labor unions organized, businesses encouraged support of the unions and hoped to lure customers away from the company store. The names of the Union Bakery at 657 Pilot Butte and the Union Cash Market down the street at 721 are indicative of these efforts.
DiGiacamo House - 726 Pilot Butte Ave
In the early 1900’s, the house at 726 Pilot Butte belonged to an Italian physician, Dr. George DiGiacamo. He drew snakes in the dirt in front of his house and shot at anyone who asked questions about them. DiGiacamo experimented with new medicines by trying them on himself. People never knew if he was drunk, on drugs, or just plain crazy.
Miners Mercantile - 729 Pilot Butte Ave
A corporation of Tyrolean Italians started the Miners Merc as a grocery and dry goods store in 1912. This store offered free delivery, credit, and a discount or treat (candy, cookies, or can of fruit) when the bill was paid. In 1916, the delivery wagon was hit by a train. The wagon was demolished, the horse killed, and the driver barely escaped with his life. This same corporation operated the Universal Store (furniture and hardware) across the street
Pilot Butte Hotel - 739 Pilot Butte Ave
The Union Pacific gave this property to Max Kershisnik’s widow and four children as compensation for his death in a mining accident. The family built the hotel in 1923 and lived in the back, renting the front to a grocery store.Turn left onto Bridger Avenue.The basement of the North Side Catholic Church across the street was built in 1912. The congregation met in the basement for 13 years while accumulating funds to complete the rest of the building.Miners threatened to strike in 1875, and the UP recruited hundreds of Chinese men to work in the mines. They lived across the street from where you are walking. With over 600 Chinese in town, “white miners” were outnumbered three to one and accused the Chinese of receiving favoritism from the UP. A fight between white and Chinese miners over working rooms in No. 6 Mine started the events of September 2, 1885. Hundreds of Chinese were driven from their homes, Chinatown was burned, and twenty-eight Chinese were killed.This incident was part of a wide-spread, anti-Chinese movement throughout the Western United States. As a result of the riot, the United States signed a treaty with China in which payment of $147,748.74 was made for damages to Chinese property; and military protection was promised to the returning Chinese. Two hundred fifty soldiers established Camp Pilot Butte on five and a half acres located between Chinatown and “white man’s town.” This is the only American city outside the post Civil War South to be occupied by U.S. Army troops and is believed to be the only location of an international treaty post within the continental United States.The parking lot on your left was the camp parade ground. Soldiers’ barracks were on the east side of the parade grounds and officers’ quarters on the west side. Other camp buildings included a hospital, commissary, canteen, bakery, beer cellar, ice house, barber shop, sergeant’s day room, school house, guard house, gun shed, carpenter shop, wagon shed, chicken houses, stables and corrals.The Military officers contributed much to the social life of Rock Springs. The camp “Pork and Bean Ball” was a community highlight. After the soldiers left in 1899 to fight in the Spanish-American war, the UP used the barracks as apartments for their employees. The two-story frame house at the back of the parade grounds was built as a home for mine superintendent.
Slovenski Dom Hall - 521 Bridger Ave
Looking across Bridger Avenue, you can see the Slovenski Dom social hall built by Slavic immigrants in 1913. In addition the annual grape and harvest festivals, the facility was used by other ethnic societies in Rock Springs. Immigrants representing nearly 60 different nationalities came here to work in the mines. Some came for the high wages and safe working conditions. Others were brought here by the Union Pacific to avert threatened strikes. Rock Springs is said to have been featured in “Ripley’s Believe It or Not” as having more nationalities than any other place in the world. The town was known as a “Heinz 57 Varieties” community. In the 1920’s, the first International Night was held at the Slovenski Dom.The closing ceremony involved costumed participants from each nationality lighting their neighbor’s candle and repeating in their native language, “As light begets light, so love begets love the world around.”A highlight of community parades from 1894 to 1907 was the 70-foot long Chinese dragon made of green brocade silk, interwoven with threads of gold. Fifty Chinese costumed in yellow silk pantaloons performed a stylized dance step as they carried the dragon. Chinese men in ancient costumes carried spears, swords, and axes. Firecrackers, exploding bombs, and men beating gongs were scattered throughout the procession.Turn left at the corner and walk down Soulsby Street. Cross Elias Avenue and enter Bunning Park.
Bunning Park - Evans Street
In this area were homes dug into the banks of Bitter Creek. All kinds of filth and debris accumulated in the creek bottom during the year. Runoff in the spring forced residents temporarily to abandon their dugouts. David Thomas (early mayor and local poet) wrote the following about Bitter Creek:Your yearly reckless inundationProvides the Means of sanitationBesides, the Lord knows very wellWhen you have purged yourself of smellAnd other things that much displeaseYou’ve freed the town of foul disease.After major flooding in 1924, Mayor Christian Bunning rechanneled Bitter Creek to the outskirts of town. The city’s first park on the filled-in creek bed was referred to as “Bunning’s folly” because “everyone knows that trees and grass will never grow in Rock Springs.” There is a memorial to Mayor Bunning in the park as well as a statue honoring local World War I soldiers.Leave Bunning Park by walking south along J Street. These homes are typical turn-of-the-century miners’ houses. Putz Livery was located in the parking lot on your right and was the last blacksmith shop in Rock Springs.Turn right onto Fifth Street. Look at the backs of the buildings you saw on North Front. Of particular interest are the rear additions to the Heitz Hardware building you saw on North Front. The original building is a one-story, wood-frame false front with a rolled asphalt gable roof. The 1903 addition is wood with a wood shingle roof. The last addition is made of cement block.Chalice’s Livery Stable was located on your right. It was the first and, for awhile, the only business on the north side of the railroad tracks. It was a large enterprise with a carriage house, wagon house, stage line, corral, horse shelter, hay storage, and livery.When you come to the corner, turn left onto Elk Street.
Park Hotel - 19 Elk Street
The Park Hotel opened in 1914 and was the hub of Western Wyoming until the late 1950’s. It was the largest and most modern hotel in the city. Advertisements boasted of hot and cold water in each of its 38 rooms, “twenty of which will have private baths and toilets.” A fourth floor was added in the 1920’s. The Park catered to “commercial men and automobile tourists” traveling the Lincoln Highway. Local people had a late-night fling dancing and drinking in the Park Hotel until the very minute prohibition went into effect July 1, 1919.Prohibition in Rock Springs was unique as many of the immigrants owned vats for home production of wine. In a two-month period during the prohibition years, 100 train carloads of grapes arrived in Rock Springs. In December, 1921 Rock Springs made national headlines as the “wettest spot in the western United States” after the federal prohibition director, a US marshal, a federal chemist, and 50 deputies seized so much bootleg whiskey that it required a special baggage car to move it.The road used to continue across the tracks here and a “Home of Rock Springs Coal” welcome sign arched over the road. The neon sign was switched on by the Wyoming Coal Operators Association in 1929. Rock Springs coal was famous for its high carbon content and high burning BTUs. Local mines led national coal production for many years.
End of the tour...
Cross North Front Street and walk through the pedestrian underpass. Exit the underpass to your right. A bandstand was located here in the 1920’s. Cross the street to the grass by the bank.From 1911 to 1970, the three-story Rock Springs National Bank (“the largest bank in Southwest Wyoming”) was on this corner. The new bank is at the former location of the Rialto Theater. Built in 1920, the Rialto was advertised as a complete “amusement palace” featuring a ten-piece orchestra which provided mood music for the silent films and vaudeville shows coming through town.One amateur night, Richard “Pinkie” Daniels Jr. sat in the audience mimicking the performers. He was spotted by a Hollywood photographer and signed by Hal Roach to star in 49 of the original “Our Gang” comedies.Continue to walk south along C Street. The World War I statue you saw in Bunning Park was originally located at the intersection of Broadway and B Street.You are now back at the Rock Springs Historic Museum.You've walking through a lot of history but there is still so much more. Ask the museum staff for the self-guided cemetary tour or our other historic sites including Boar's Tusk (a volcanic plug), Native American Petroglyphs, the Overland Stage Station market, Reliance Tipple, Veteran's Park and more.
