Miners Delight, Wyoming – Tumbling in the Forest
Nestled in the rolling, forested hills just a few miles east of Atlantic City, Wyoming, lie the weathered remains of Miners Delight. This once-bustling mining camp, now a collection of crumbling structures and rusting artifacts, shares a history intertwined with its neighboring boomtowns of Atlantic City and South Pass City, all born from the feverish pursuit of gold in the late 1860s. The story of Miners Delight, Wyoming, is one of rapid ascent, fleeting prosperity, and eventual decline, leaving behind a poignant reminder of the ephemeral nature of frontier life.
The initial spark that ignited the town was the discovery of gold in Spring Gulch in 1867. Prospectors, drawn by the allure of quick riches, flocked to the area, and a nascent settlement, initially dubbed Hamilton City, sprang to life. However, the town’s identity soon became inextricably linked to the most successful mining operation in the vicinity, the Miners Delight Mine, situated on Peabody Hill. The mine proved so productive and influential that the town gradually adopted its name, officially becoming Miners Delight, Wyoming.
The driving force behind the Miners Delight Mine was Jonathan Pugh. His endeavor quickly transformed the landscape and economy of the area. The mine’s initial yield was significant enough to warrant the construction of a ten-stamp mill, a noisy, powerful piece of machinery used to crush the ore and extract the precious gold within. The presence of this mill underscored the mine’s importance and solidified Miners Delight, Wyoming‘s place as a promising mining center.
The burgeoning community of Miners Delight first appeared in newspaper accounts in July 1868. The Sweetwater Mines newspaper offered a glimpse into the town’s vibrant early days, describing a scene of bustling construction and optimistic enterprise. The article noted the existence of "some thirty buildings… up, and more in construction," painting a picture of a town rapidly taking shape. Furthermore, the newspaper reported that "Ten companies are at work in Spring Gulch…and all appear content with the result of their labors," highlighting the perceived profitability and overall satisfaction among the miners. These early reports suggest a thriving, hopeful atmosphere within Miners Delight, Wyoming.
However, the initial optimism that fueled the town’s growth proved to be short-lived. Like many mining camps in the region, Miners Delight, Wyoming faced the harsh reality that extracting gold could be more expensive than the gold itself was worth. The easily accessible surface deposits dwindled, and the cost of reaching deeper, less concentrated veins began to outweigh the potential profits.
As the economic realities shifted, the population of Miners Delight began a dramatic decline from its peak of approximately 75 residents. The Miners Delight Mine, the lifeblood of the community, initially ceased operations in 1874. Although it reopened briefly, it was ultimately shuttered again in 1882. The closure had a devastating effect on the town, leaving many residents with no choice but to seek their fortunes elsewhere.
Despite these setbacks, the story of Miners Delight is not one of complete and irreversible collapse. The mining camp experienced several periods of revival in the decades that followed. Renewed interest in gold extraction brought waves of prospectors and miners back to the area in the early 20th century and again during the Great Depression, driven by the desperation of the times and the enduring hope of striking it rich. Over its lifespan, the Miners Delight Mine is estimated to have produced over $5 million in gold ore, a testament to the richness of the surrounding earth. The town remained inhabited until as late as 1960, a surprisingly long lifespan for a frontier mining camp.
Today, Miners Delight stands as a silent testament to its colorful past, a collection of ruins slowly returning to the embrace of the Wyoming landscape. The site is located on land managed by the Bureau of Land Management (BLM), and while the town has not been fully restored, some preservation efforts have been undertaken to stabilize the remaining structures and prevent further deterioration. Recognizing its historical significance, the old townsite has been placed on the National Register of Historic Places, ensuring its preservation for future generations.
Adding to the allure of Miners Delight are the figures who once walked its dusty streets. Among its residents were two individuals who would later achieve considerable notoriety. Henry Tompkins Paige Comstock, the namesake of the legendary Comstock Lode in Nevada, spent time in Miners Delight before making his famous discovery. Martha Jane Canary, better known as Calamity Jane, also lived in Miners Delight as a young girl after being orphaned and adopted. Before becoming a legend in Deadwood, South Dakota, she was said to have worked in Atlantic City and Miners Delight. The presence of these iconic figures lends an extra layer of intrigue to the already compelling story of Miners Delight.
Visiting Miners Delight today offers a glimpse into the past, a chance to wander through the skeletal remains of a once-vibrant community. The townsite is located approximately three miles east of Atlantic City, accessible via Fort Stambaugh Road. Parking is available, but visitors must traverse a short, quarter-mile walking trail to reach the site. The trail winds through the forest, offering glimpses of the surrounding landscape and building anticipation for the historical experience that awaits.
Among the most notable features of the site are the preserved cabins. Though weathered and worn by time, they still evoke a sense of the lives lived within their walls. One particular building is said to have served multiple purposes throughout the town’s history, functioning at various times as a saloon, a bakery, a barn, and even housing a couple of outhouses. This adaptability speaks to the resourcefulness and practicality of the early settlers who carved a life out of the rugged Wyoming wilderness. The window of the saloon still stands, visitors have seen through the window.
Exploring Miners Delight is a journey back in time, a chance to connect with the spirit of the American West. While the gold may be gone, the stories and the remnants of this once-thriving mining camp remain, offering a poignant reminder of the dreams, struggles, and enduring legacy of the men and women who sought their fortune in the heart of Wyoming.