South Pass City Historic Site - Wyoming

Explore an Authentic Old West Town at South Pass City Historic Site

South Pass City Historic Site is a terrific attraction to visit in Wyoming. There are 20 original structures to tour, and each has been autheentically restored to give visitors a sense of what the real West was like during the late 1800s. Costumed interpretors lend an even more realistic air to visitors' historic experiences.

One of the highlights of South Pass City Historic Site is the Gold Mining Interpretive Center. Here you will learn all about gold mining as it was practiced during the late 19th century. The Gold Mining Interpretive Center building was originally built as a mercantile store in approximately 1874. It later served as a warehouse for a neighboring store before being converted to  its present day function at South Pass City.

The Blacksmith Shop at South Pass City Historic Site was constructed in 1915 out of logs that were salvaged from a nearby store dating to 1868. The Blacksmithing Shop originally did contain the forge and other blacksmithing tools that were used to repair horsedrawn wagons, coaches and other equipment. You can see real-life blacksmithing practiced here at the Shop.
 
A recreation of the five room Slack family cabin is another intiguing building you will tour at South Pass City Historic Site. This was the home of Esther Morris. Esther Morris is considered the first woman to hold political office in the United States, as she served as a justice of the peace in South Pass City in the year 1870. Her son E. A. Slack also resided at the cabin. He published the South Pass News newspaper at the original cabin until it burned in 1871. The Gordon Hand Press he used survived the fire and is on display at the recreated cabin.

The Cave or Fort Bourbon as it is known was built in 1868 in South Pass City to protect perishable food items and liquor. According to legend, when Indian raids or attacks were thought to be imminent, women and children of the town would be locked away here for safety while the townsmen prepared to fight.

The Carissa Saloon is another popular attraction at South Pass City Historic Site. The saloon was build in the 1890s and operated on and off until 1949. Visitors can also see the remains of an even older, combination saloon and whorehouse called the White Swan next door to the Carissa.

Some of the other fascinating historic buildings you can tour at South Pass City Historic Site include the Livery, School house, the South Pass Hotel and Restaurant, and the Carr Butcher Shop. In addition to viewing historic buildings and artifacts on a self-guided interpretive tour, there are several walking and hiking trails at the site to explore.