The Untold Story Of Cambria, The Wyoming City That Practically Vanished Overnight

If you know anything about Wyoming history, you know that the coal industry and the railroad were two of the biggest drivers of westward expansion. Many rail lines were struggling with the high costs of coal in the West, including the Chicago, Burlington & Quincy Railroad. Prospectors went searching for coal and in 1887, they found it inside Coal Creek Canyon in Wyoming’s Black Hills.

We’re aware that these uncertain times are limiting many aspects of life as we all practice social and physical distancing. While we’re continuing to feature destinations that make our state wonderful, we don’t expect or encourage you to go check them out immediately. We believe that supporting local attractions is important now more than ever and we hope our articles inspire your future adventures! And on that note, please nominate your favorite local business that could use some love right now: https://www.onlyinyourstate.com/nominate/

The Cambria Fuel Company was founded by Kilpatrick Brothers & Collins, who signed a contract with the rail line. Chicago, Burlington & Quincy laid tracks into Cambria, Wyoming, in 1889. Photogrammar / Russell Lee The town quickly expanded to accommodate a booming population. A hospital, a school, three churches, a boarding house, an opera house, and a recreation center were some of the buildings that were constructed, along with 150 houses. Photogrammar / Russell Lee Two hotels were built to house travelers. The four-story one pictured below was one of the biggest in the region. Cambria kept a population of around 1,400 people, and soon became a resort town. Cambria Casino Park was built in 1928. Photogrammar / Russell Lee The timing of the resort's opening was unfortunate, as the coal supply was dwindling. Cambria Fuel Company announced that the mine would close on April 1, 1928, unless new discoveries were made. Photogrammar / Russell Lee On March 15, 1928, the mine's disaster warning was sounded, and the town erupted into chaos as confused workers and residents bolted out of town. Photogrammar / Russell Lee Many miners didn't even pack up their belongings before hitting the rails to move on. It took less than a few hours for the shopkeepers to leave. Cambria was so quickly abandoned that the courthouse clerk forgot to turn off the lawn sprinkler - which continued to run until the reservoir was dry. Officially, though, the decline was not that sudden. The mine company hosted closing ceremonies more than a month later, on April 28. Photogrammar / Russell Lee Many people returned to celebrate their town one last time. The post office closed by the end of the year, and the Cambira Casino Park was sold. The tracks were removed the next year, and the town was eventually thoroughly dismantled. There are still some structures in Cambria today, including the superintendent's house, the church steeple, stables, a bank vault, and steps that once led to the school. You can even see the remnants of the roads that wound through town. Photogrammar / Russell Lee

The photos above show the town shortly after it was abandoned, before it was completely salvaged. Thanks to the work of migrant photographers, we have a piece of Wyoming history forever preserved on film.