Name: Encampment

 

County: Carbon

 

Authority Name: Encampment (Wyo.)

 

GNIS Entry

 

Longitude:  1064723W

Latitude: 411234N

 

Legal Description:

 

Elevation: 7277/2218

(ft/m)

 

Feature Type: Populated Place, Post Office

 

Origin of Name:

Located on the Grand Encampment River, between Medicine Bow and the Sierra Madre mountains, in a beautiful valley. Here was held the grand encampment of Indian tribes for their annual hunting. The town of Encampment has a spectacular and tragic history. Coincident with several mining discoveries in the Encampment mining district during the hectic days of the 1890's when national interest had been attracted to mining by the Cripple Creek and Klondyke booms, a company of Denver promoters, aided by several Carbon County residents, established the Encampment town site on a location bordering the Encampment River. The first log cabin was erected in the summer of 1897. 

 

Wide advertising brought people from all parts of the country and for a few years the town had a remarkable growth. Following the discovery of copper, the famous Ferris Haggerty Mine was established, and a number of other promising strikes occurred. Scores of freight teams hauled ore, smelter products, building materials, and merchandise. Fine homes and business houses sprang up overnight. The town reached around 2,000 people by 1908 and the Saratoga & Encampment Railroad was built to supply the stages and freight teams during the growth period.

 

Then arose dissension among the financiers controlling the leading mines and smelters. Litigation ensued, followed by the closing of the industries upon which the town depended for support. One by one business houses failed and closed. People soon began to leave. Within three years the town dwindled to some 200 people and property values fell to almost nothing.

Source: WPA

 

It was here the grand encampment of the Indians was located for the season's hunting.

Source: Annals 14(3)  

 

Other Names: Grand Encampment

 

Alternative Spellings:

 

History:

Encampment Post Office was established on May 22, 1897 with James G. Macfarlane as its first postmaster.

Source: Wyoming Post Offices

 

An important mining center in Carbon County, on the Encampment and Saratoga Railroad. United Smelters, Railway and Copper Co. and subsidiary companies are operating here their smelter, giving employment to about 300 men. Although a young city, Encampment has all the modern city conveniences, electric light, water works, excellent schools. The town is located at the junction of the north and south forks of the Grand Encampment River, and is favorably placed for a large city, as well as a favorite summer resort.

Source: Wyoming State Business Directory, 1910-11 

 

Stories:

 

Maps:

1:24000 Quadrangle: Encampment 

 

Newspapers

 

More Information: 

 

Pictures: 

 

 

Ferris Haggerty Mine

Source: Wyoming State Archives

 

 

 

Sources: Wyoming State Archives