South Pass City

South Pass City is a Wyoming State Historic Site. It experienced its gold rush after the bulk of westward emigration had taken place, although wagons continued to trickle over the nearby geographic South Pass until 1912. In its heyday, it was the second largest city in Wyoming (Cheyenne was the largest), and is the second oldest. Today it's a preserved, authentic ghost town.

It was here that Esther Hobart Morris was appointed the first female justice of the peace in the country, and it was a South Pass City saloonkeeper who introduced legislation that ultimately afforded women the right to vote.

The Carissa Mine (in photo #3) was developed after gold was found on the site in 1867. The original structure was a small cabin, and the structure pictured was erected in the 1930s. During its operation, the Carissa produced an estimated 60,000 - 180,000 ounces of gold.

Panning for gold in this area is still common today.