Brush Creek Work Center
a.k.a. 48CR4203
WY 130 E of Saratoga, Medicine Bow NF, Saratoga, WYMost of the major construction at the Brush Creek Work Center was completed in 1937-1940 by crews from the Ryan Park Side Camp (F-22). It was a side camp of the Saratoga Camp (F-38-W) located in Saratoga, Wyoming. The main camps such as Saratoga Camp usually worked throughout the winter. The side camps usually were established in the spring, when weather permitted, with 20 to 25 workers from the main camps and closed down for the winter. The Mullen Creek Camp (F-36-W) and the Brush Creek Side Camp (F-39-W) also did a small amount of work on the site. Crews from the Saratoga Camp and the Brush Creek Side Camp did some finishing up work in 1941 (Inspection Letters, 1938-1941). The foreman for the Ryan Park Side Camp was Herb Hahn. Herb and his crew cut the logs for the complex off of Barrett Ridge. They also excavated and laid the foundations, constructed the sidewalks, and completed all the rough structural construction. Local craftsmen were then brought in to do the finer work. Fred Potter, a rancher from the Encampment area did the stonecutting for the sidewalks, foundations, porches, and the fireplace in the Dwelling. Urban Shantz, a Finnish carpenter from Chicago built the cabinets in the office/Dwelling and Dwelling. Another carpenter to work on the work center was Chris Jensen from Rawlins, Wyoming.
The work center was originally built as an administrative facility for the Brush Creek Ranger District and replaced the original facility that was located about one mile to the northwest. The first Ranger Station was originally called the Drinkard Ranger Station and was constructed in 1905. The name was not thought to be appropriate and was changed to Brush Creek in 1914. The District was part of the Medicine Bow Reserve which was headquartered in Saratoga, Wyoming. It was not until 1910 that the Medicine Bow National Forest came into existence and the Forest Headquarters were moved from Saratoga to Laramie, Wyoming. The Work Center is still being used presently by work crews from the Brush Creek Ranger District.
Local significance of the district:
The work center was originally built as an administrative facility for the Brush Creek Ranger District and replaced the original facility that was located about one mile to the northwest. The first Ranger Station was originally called the Drinkard Ranger Station and was constructed in 1905. The name was not thought to be appropriate and was changed to Brush Creek in 1914. The District was part of the Medicine Bow Reserve which was headquartered in Saratoga, Wyoming. It was not until 1910 that the Medicine Bow National Forest came into existence and the Forest Headquarters were moved from Saratoga to Laramie, Wyoming. The Work Center is still being used presently by work crews from the Brush Creek Ranger District.
Architecture; Social History; Politics/government; Conservation
Listed in National Register of Historic Places in 1994.
About National Register Listings
The National Register of Historic Places is the official list of the Nation’s historic places worthy of preservation. Authorized by the National Historic Preservation Act of 1966, the National Park Service’s National Register of Historic Places is part of a national program to coordinate and support public and private efforts to identify, evaluate, and protect America’s historic and archeological resources.
Wyoming is the least populous state in the United States, with a population of around 580,000 people. Despite its small population, Wyoming is the 10th largest state in terms of land area, with vast expanses of wilderness and natural beauty.
About Carbon County
Carbon County Timeline
Carbon County, Wyoming is located in the central part of the state and is known for its rich history and natural resources. The area was originally inhabited by Native American tribes, including the Arapaho, Shoshone, and Cheyenne. The first European explorers arrived in the late 18th century, with fur trappers and traders making their way through the region.
In the mid-19th century, the discovery of gold in the Atlantic City-South Pass area brought an influx of prospectors and miners to Carbon County. The county's name itself is derived from the vast coal deposits found in the region, which became a significant economic resource. The Union Pacific Railroad's expansion in the 1860s further spurred development in the county, as it provided a means to transport coal and other resources.
The town of Rawlins, named after Union Pacific Superintendent General John A. Rawlins, became the county seat in 1868. It quickly developed into a center for the region's coal mining industry. Coal production boomed in the late 19th and early 20th centuries, attracting immigrants from various countries to work in the mines. This contributed to the diverse cultural heritage of Carbon County.
In addition to coal, other industries started to develop in Carbon County. Ranching became a vital part of the local economy, as the open plains provided ample grazing land. Additionally, the county's stunning natural landscapes and proximity to outdoor recreational activities, such as hunting and fishing, attracted tourists and outdoor enthusiasts. Today, Carbon County remains an important contributor to the state's energy sector and continues to preserve its unique history and natural resources.
In the mid-19th century, the discovery of gold in the Atlantic City-South Pass area brought an influx of prospectors and miners to Carbon County. The county's name itself is derived from the vast coal deposits found in the region, which became a significant economic resource. The Union Pacific Railroad's expansion in the 1860s further spurred development in the county, as it provided a means to transport coal and other resources.
The town of Rawlins, named after Union Pacific Superintendent General John A. Rawlins, became the county seat in 1868. It quickly developed into a center for the region's coal mining industry. Coal production boomed in the late 19th and early 20th centuries, attracting immigrants from various countries to work in the mines. This contributed to the diverse cultural heritage of Carbon County.
In addition to coal, other industries started to develop in Carbon County. Ranching became a vital part of the local economy, as the open plains provided ample grazing land. Additionally, the county's stunning natural landscapes and proximity to outdoor recreational activities, such as hunting and fishing, attracted tourists and outdoor enthusiasts. Today, Carbon County remains an important contributor to the state's energy sector and continues to preserve its unique history and natural resources.
Carbon County Timeline
This timeline provides a glimpse into the major events and milestones that have shaped the history of Carbon County, Wyoming.
- 1868 - Carbon County was established by the territorial legislature of the Wyoming Territory.
- 1869 - The first white settlement in Carbon County was established at Rawlins Springs.
- 1870 - Rawlins Springs was renamed Rawlins and became the county seat of Carbon County.
- 1870s - Coal mining became a significant industry in Carbon County.
- 1881 - The Union Pacific Railroad reached Carbon County, leading to increased economic growth.
- 1886 - Carbon County experienced a major coal mining disaster, known as the Hanna Mine Explosion, where over 60 miners lost their lives.
- 1890 - The population of Carbon County reached its peak with over 12,000 residents.
- 1930s - The Great Depression greatly impacted the economy of Carbon County, leading to a decline in mining activities.
- 1950s - The construction of Interstate 80 through the county boosted tourism and transportation in Carbon County.
- 1980s - Carbon County faced another economic downturn with a decline in coal mining and oil extraction.
- Present - Carbon County continues to be a significant contributor to Wyoming's energy industry, with ongoing coal and oil production.