Name: Sunrise

 

County: Platte

 

Authority Name: Sunrise (Wyo.)

 

GNIS Entry

 

Longitude:  1044220W

Latitude: 421949N

 

Legal Description:

 

Elevation: 4902/1494

(ft/m)

 

Feature Type: Populated Place

 

Origin of Name:

The largest iron mine west of the Mississippi River was named through a chance remark, made by one of the original locators of the property, Lieutenant Eaton, who was stationed at old Fort Laramie at the time of the discovery of copper in the area, in 1882. Eaton, with John London, who operated a civilian trading post at the military reservation, had become interested in the development of mining in this section, and the two men, making the trip of fifteen miles from the fort, in one of the army ambulances, sought out Henry T. Miller, well known pioneer, to ask his advice in regard to locating a mining claim. Miller, the first to discover copper in the district, went with Eaton and London to a point above EurekaCanyon, where the town of Hartville is now located. He had come upon this place some years before, and had noted the presence of minerals. As the men climbed the tall hill west of the spot where a great body of iron was subsequently to be developed, Lieutenant Eaton looked out over the country to the east. “You could see the sun rise from here,” he remarked. “And that is just the name for our mine,” replied London. “We will call it Sunrise.” 

Source: WPA

 

Named by Lieutenant Eaton of Fort Laramie who, while inspecting copper deposits with John London and H.T. Miller, remarked that a rise over which they walked afforded a good view of the sunrise.

Source: Annals 15(1)

 

Other Names: 

 

Alternative Spellings:

 

History:

Sunrise Post Office was established on January 14, 1884 in Laramie County prior to the formation of Platte County. Eli W. Hall was the first postmaster. It was discontinued on April 23 of that year but re-established on March 27, 1900. On February 24, 1967 its location was changed to Hartville.

Source: Wyoming Post Offices

 

An important mining town for iron ore, in Laramie County. Terminus of the Colorado and Wyoming Railroad.

Source: Wyoming State Business Directory, 1910-11 

 

An important mining town for iron ore, in Platte County, 30 miles north of Wheatland, the county seat. Guernsey is the nearest banking point. Iron mining the principal industry. Terminus of the Colorado and Wyoming Railroad. Population 750. Altitude 4,900 feet.

Source: Wyoming State Business Directory, 1922

 

At Sunrise, are the Sunrise Mines. A continuous concrete sidewalk runs through the canyon, with trim frame houses and little gardens scattered along it in all available spaces. Because of the steepness of the hillsides, the householders keep their automobiles in a community garage on the only level area in town. Sunrise was established in 1903, three years after C. A. Guernsey obtained options on the mining claims in the vicinity and sold them to a Colorado firm.

Source: Wyoming Guide 

 

Stories:

 

Maps:

1:24000 Quadrangle: Guernsey

 

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More Information: 

 

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