ROCK SPRINGS Mining and Railroad History Some people come to Rock Springs to enrich their knowledge of Wyoming’s mining heritage. Others come to take a trip back in time on the tracks of railroaders’ past. But no one expects to find such a culturally diverse melting pot in this high-desert oasis. Surprised? You haven’t seen anything yet. DIG DEEP INTO WYOMING’S ABOUT ROCK SPRINGS Named for a former spring that babbled through town, Rock Springs actually sprung from the growth and development of the area’s coal mining industry. In 1868, the coal mined here powered the steam engines of the Union Pacific Railroad. The company laid hundreds of miles of track, which helped surrounding towns thrive. And the booming railroad and mining work left behind a culturally rich community that’s represented by dozens of nationalities. The railroad’s conversion to diesel and oil power in the mid-1900s drove out many of the city’s coal mines. But today, Rock Springs thrives with trona mines and a booming oil and gas industry, keeping the city vibrant with locals and visitors alike. ROCK SPRINGS // 08
Sweetwater County Official Travel Guide 2019 Sweetwater County Official Travel Guide: Page 8
