Hot Springs County boasts a rich history filled with the tales of pioneers who ventured into this region during its early days. From trappers to Mountain Men exploring the Wind River Canyon and Hot Springs, to miners seeking their fortunes in Copper Mountain and beyond, to homesteaders bringing their families and livestock, and coalminers working at the Gebo and Crosby mines – the legacy of these individuals lives on through the photos and artifacts they left behind. Join us as we uncover the stories of these resilient men and women who journeyed to Hot Springs County, facing both triumphs and setbacks along the way.
Pioneers
Honoring Dub McQueen
Cottonwood Creek Rancher, Dub McQueen, was inducted into the Wyoming Cowboy Hall of Fame. A display about Dub is located in the downstairs gallery of the museum giving stories about his life, and exhibiting some of his memorabilia such as his saddle and chaps. Dub’s life ended prematurely when he…
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Emery Hotel
Emery Hotel. A landmark from the 1900s through the 1940s. The business consisted of a hotel, cafe, bar & lounge, and taxi service.
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Hole-in-the-Wall gang
The Wilcox train robbery was an infamous heist pulled off by the Hole-in-the-Wall gang in 1899 at a remote area in Wyoming. According to William Simpson, grandfather of Senator Al Simpson, Tom Skinner put some of the Wilcox loot in his safe. This included burnt bank notes, coins and gold…
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Virginia Bridger Hahn
Virginia Bridger Hahn – the daughter of famed mountain man Jim Bridger – came to live her last days in Thermopolis which had always been dear to her heart. Her father first visited Wyoming in the early 1800s and she cared for him when he went blind by 1875. Today,…
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Sheep Wagon
The Sheep Wagon was invented by James Candlish, a blacksmith, in 1884, at Rawlins, Wyoming. It made a snug, compact home that could be easily moved from place to place as the sheep grazed across the range during the years. The wagon displayed here was used for many years in…
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Hole-in-the-Wall Bar
Belly up to the original bar where outlaws from the Hole-in-the-Wall gang once used to visit, including the infamous Butch Cassidy! Though spirits are no longer served to patrons, it is a great place to sit and imagine the sights, sounds and smells that once surrounded this icon from the…
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Hair Wreath
Over 120 years ago, Elizabeth Carlisle Brown tatted this wreath – using human hair! Hair art was often a memorial to a deceased loved one, but this wreath was made from the hair of her daughters, daughter-in-law and granddaughters. To finish the wreath, she also used a bit of horsehair…
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Prize Saddle
In 1914, Rufus Rolan won this saddle in the Bare Back Bucking Contest Championship of Montana Miles City Roundup. Nothing more is known about Rufus or how his prize saddle became the property of George Bain, the General Manager of the LU Sheep Company. The saddle was made by the…
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