Atlantic City, Wyoming – Booming & Busting For Over 100 Years
Nestled approximately 27 miles south of Lander, Wyoming, lies Atlantic City, a testament to the fluctuating fortunes of the American West. This historic locale, once a thriving gold mining camp, stands as a poignant reminder of the relentless pursuit of riches and the cyclical nature of boom and bust economies. Atlantic City emerged as one of several offshoots from the nearby South Pass City, itself a significant hub during the gold rush era. The story of Atlantic City is one etched in the landscape, a narrative of dreams realized, hopes dashed, and a resilient spirit that continues to linger in the weathered structures and quiet streets.
The genesis of Atlantic City can be traced back to the summer of 1868 when prospectors stumbled upon gold near Rock Creek. The discovery centered around a mineral-rich quartz vein, aptly named the Atlantic Ledge due to its position on the eastern flank of the Continental Divide. This geological formation was not only extensive, stretching for thousands of feet, but also remarkably thick, promising a substantial yield of the precious metal. As news of the find spread like wildfire, a wave of eager miners descended upon the area, transforming the once-untouched landscape into a bustling encampment. To accommodate the burgeoning population, three entrepreneurs – Collins, Thompson, and Tozier – quickly stepped forward to plat the town, sell lots, and officially christen it Atlantic City.
The allure of gold proved powerful enough to overcome significant challenges. The town’s remote location, situated some 100 miles from the nearest railhead, presented logistical difficulties in transporting supplies and equipment. The harsh Wyoming winters, characterized by bone-chilling temperatures and heavy snowfall, tested the endurance of the inhabitants. Furthermore, the ever-present threat of Indian attacks added an element of danger and uncertainty to daily life. Yet, despite these hardships, men continued to flock to Atlantic City, driven by the irresistible promise of striking it rich.
The burgeoning camp rapidly transformed into a vibrant community, boasting a population of approximately 2,000 residents at its peak. The town’s infrastructure quickly expanded to include essential amenities and recreational establishments. A church provided spiritual solace, while a general store, complete with a dance hall on its second story, catered to the material needs and social desires of the populace. A brewery quenched the thirst of weary miners, and an opera house offered a touch of culture and entertainment. A school ensured the education of the community’s children, and a drug store provided medical supplies and remedies. Of course, no gold mining town would be complete without a selection of saloons, offering a place for miners to unwind, socialize, and perhaps try their luck at gambling. This first boom in Atlantic City lasted roughly a decade, until the easily accessible gold ore began to dwindle.
However, the story of Atlantic City does not end there. In 1884, a French engineer named Emil Granier arrived with ambitious plans and significant investment capital to revitalize the mining operations. Granier envisioned a large-scale hydraulic mining project, a technique that utilizes high-pressure water jets to dislodge ore-bearing material. To realize this vision, he hired approximately 300 men to construct an elaborate 25-sluiceway designed to channel water from Christina Lake, high in the Wind River Range, to his claims east of Atlantic City. The construction of this ditch was a monumental undertaking, requiring the passage through miles of solid rock. After four years of arduous labor, the ditch was finally completed in 1888, raising hopes for a renewed era of prosperity.
Unfortunately, Granier’s grand design was ultimately flawed. The ditch had been constructed with too steep a slope, causing the water to rush through with excessive force. As the water surged through the sluices, it overwhelmed the system, destroying many of the structures and spilling water and gold along the way. This unforeseen catastrophe inadvertently created an opportunity for smaller miners, who rushed in to pan for gold in the numerous gullies created by the overflowing water. Many of these independent prospectors found success, gleaning the gold that had been lost due to the ditch’s failure.
By 1893, Granier’s company had succumbed to bankruptcy, and the disheartened engineer returned to France to explain the project’s failure and seek additional funding. However, his reception was far from sympathetic. Instead, he was arrested, tried, and sentenced to life in prison, where he died a few years later, a tragic end to a man who had dared to dream big in the American West.
Despite the collapse of Granier’s ambitious project, Atlantic City managed to persevere, albeit on a smaller scale. New businesses emerged in the following years, including the Giessler Store, established in 1893 by Lawrence Giessler. This building, constructed with adobe brick and covered with metal siding, served as a general store, a freighting business, and even a ranch on Willow Creek. After Giessler’s death, his wife, Emma, transformed the building into a cafe and boarding house. The building eventually closed in the late 1930s and remained abandoned for three decades. Today, the Giessler Store, listed on the National Register of Historic Places, has been resurrected as the Atlantic City Mercantile, a saloon and steakhouse that offers a glimpse into the town’s rich history.
Another notable establishment that contributed to Atlantic City‘s survival was the Carpenter Hotel. In 1890, Clarence and Nellie Carpenter arrived in Atlantic City, and the following year, Nellie began serving meals to miners in her home. With a small boom after the turn of the century, the Carpenters built an addition to their home and began to take in boarders. It soon became the Carpenter Hotel, which was expanded in the 1930s and was run by their daughter, Ellen, until she died in 1961. The buildings still operate as a bed and breakfast called the Miner’s Delight Inn.
The historic St. Andrews Episcopal Church, built in 1912, stands as another enduring symbol of Atlantic City‘s resilience. The church continues to provide services to parishioners today and is also listed on the National Register of Historic Places.
By 1920, the last of the area mines had closed, marking a significant decline in Atlantic City‘s fortunes. However, in 1933, the E.T. Fisher Company constructed a mining dredge that operated on the streams near Atlantic City, injecting a brief surge of prosperity into the town. Although the operation lasted only a few years, the dredge recovered over $700,000 in gold along some ten miles of Rock Creek. During the depression years, the town also welcomed several new miners who began to work claims again, and a few of the mines re-opened. However, this spurt was also short-lived. By the 1950s, Atlantic City had become a ghost town, with only a half dozen residents, and the only open business was the Carpenter Hotel.
The following decade witnessed one last burst of mining activity when the United States Steel Corporation constructed a large, open-pit iron ore mine three miles northwest of Atlantic City. Although most miners commuted from Lander, several made their homes in the old boom camp. The Iron Mine closed in 1982, and Atlantic City soon became the sleepy little town it is today, occupied by summer vacationers and about 50 full-time residents.
Today, Atlantic City stands as a living museum, a testament to the enduring spirit of the American West. Several historic buildings remain, some of which have been restored and used as homes, while others are slowly succumbing to the forces of nature. Visitors can explore the town’s history through a walking tour, with brochures available at an interpretive sign on Atlantic City Road.
To reach Atlantic City, travel south of Lander, Wyoming, on Highway 28, about 27 miles, then turn southwest on Atlantic City Road for about three miles. To the east of Atlantic City, on Fort Stambaugh Road, is the tumbling old mining camp of Miners Delight, also called Hamilton City. Located on BLM land, the site can be accessed on about a ¼ mile walking trail.
Just some four miles west is the old townsite of South Pass City, which today is preserved as a Wyoming State Park. Along the way, sitting atop a hill on the south side of the road, is an old mine and mill. It can be accessed by a road just west of the site. The town of Atlantic City, Wyoming, stands as a reminder of a bygone era, a place where the echoes of gold miners and boomtown dreams still resonate in the wind.