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Photographer: Barry Swackhamer
Taken: September 17, 2015
Caption: Queen City of the West Marker
Additional Description: Captions: (upper left) Shining with optimism in this 1890 view, two years later Bessemer was in decline. The railroad had terminated in Casper, nearby oil wells turned out to be "dusters," and the Wyoming Improvement Company owed the county the sum of $265.78 - an amount equal to the value of the company's bridge at Bessemer. The bridge was transferred to the county treasurer, oil wells were abandoned, and Bessemer's residents moved to Casper, taking their houses with them. The town disappeared as quickly as it had appeared.; Inserts: (left) During the late 1880s Natrona County experienced its first oil exploration and production "boom," with American and foreign investors scrambling to establish operations. Shown here is one of two oil wells drilled near Bessemer town in 1888, with eager citizens monitoring its progress.; (center) Postmaster George W. Johnson stands with his wife and son on the porch of the Bessemer Post Office, circa 1892. Mr. Johnson also operated a general store in the town. Note the well derrick, right background.; (right) The Wyoming Improvement Company sold lots in the platted Bessemer town site, but confidently reserved an entire block on their plat map with the label "State Capitol."
Submitted: January 2, 2016, by Barry Swackhamer of Brentwood, California.
Database Locator Identification Number: p343268
File Size: 3.114 Megabytes

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