Lander in South Pass City in Fremont County, Wyoming — The American West (Mountains)

The English Tunnel

English Tunnel Marker image. Click for full size.

Photographed by Jeffrey Running, September 1, 2018

1. English Tunnel Marker

Inscription.

The English Tunnel. . , After 118 years, what seems to be a ghost adit reemerges during the 150th Anniversary of South Pass City. During the fall of 2017, employees were given a glimpse into time which has been frozen in the hillside along the paths around Hermit Creek. On what is now considered the Homestake Lode, The English Tunnel has been revealed. History of The English Tunnel begins with the Wild Irishman Lode claim of 1868. This load lies directly along and extended strike of the Cariso (Carissa) vein. Much like the Carissa it was developed by sinking a vertical shaft. 1871 reports by Wyoming Surveyor General, Silas Reed, describe the Wild Irishman shaft being 80 ft. deep with reports of a tunnel beginning at the foot of the hill on Hermit Creek to intersect the shaft some 200-300 ft. below its collar. A London concern, Messrs. Johnson and Son placed Henry Rickard, who is referred to as a practical English miner in charge of their Carissa and Wild Irishman properties. Historian C.G. Coutant states that Confederate Army veteran, Joseph Wagner accepted the contract to construct the tunnel for Johnson and Son, and it is here that for the first time it is referred to as The English Tunnel. The origins of the name, The English Tunnel, are somewhat a mystery. It is not certain whether the name is in reference to the Englishman Henry Rickard or his London based employer. The English Tunnel amounted to 175 lineal feet measuring 5.5 ft wide and 6.5 ft in height. In an 1898 field note filed with Mineral Survey 82, now what was known as the Cleveland Lode, indicate that The English Tunnel was a timbered roof adit with a total length of 290 ft. Local Peter Sherlock attested to having extended Wagner's earlier work to benefit the developing Cleveland and neighboring Sampson Lode. Until now, The English Tunnel has been no friend to written record, only but a vague whisper., Dedicated September 1, 2018 (6023) , South Pass Outpost #1867 of Al Packer #100 , of The Ancient and Honorable Order of E Clampus Vitus,

After 118 years, what seems to be a ghost adit reemerges during the 150th Anniversary of South Pass City. During the fall of 2017, employees were given a glimpse into time which has been frozen in the hillside along the paths around Hermit Creek. On what is now considered the Homestake Lode, The English Tunnel has been revealed. History of The English Tunnel begins with the Wild Irishman Lode claim of 1868. This load lies directly along and extended strike of the Cariso (Carissa) vein. Much like the Carissa it was developed by sinking a vertical shaft. 1871 reports by Wyoming Surveyor General, Silas Reed, describe the Wild Irishman shaft being 80 ft. deep with reports of a tunnel beginning at the foot of the hill on Hermit Creek to intersect the shaft some 200-300 ft. below its collar. A London concern, Messrs. Johnson & Son placed Henry Rickard, who is referred to as a practical English miner in charge of their Carissa & Wild Irishman properties. Historian C.G. Coutant states that Confederate Army veteran, Joseph Wagner accepted the contract to construct the tunnel for Johnson & Son, and it is here that

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for the first time it is referred to as The English Tunnel. The origins of the name, The English Tunnel, are somewhat a mystery. It is not certain whether the name is in reference to the Englishman Henry Rickard or his London based employer. The English Tunnel amounted to 175 lineal feet measuring 5.5 ft wide & 6.5 ft in height. In an 1898 field note filed with Mineral Survey 82, now what was known as the Cleveland Lode, indicate that The English Tunnel was a timbered roof adit with a total length of 290 ft. Local Peter Sherlock attested to having extended Wagner's earlier work to benefit the developing Cleveland & neighboring Sampson Lode. Until now, The English Tunnel has been no friend to written record, only but a vague whisper.

Dedicated September 1, 2018 (6023)
South Pass Outpost #1867 of Al Packer #100
of The Ancient & Honorable Order of E Clampus Vitus

Erected 2018 by South Pass Outpost #1867 E Clampus Vitus.

Topics and series. This historical marker is listed in this topic list: Man-Made Features. In addition, it is included in the E Clampus Vitus series list. A significant historical date for this entry is September 1, 2018.

Location. 42° 28.501′ N,

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108° 47.43′ W. Marker is in South Pass City, Wyoming, in Fremont County. It is in Lander. It can be reached from no nearby street. Touch for map. Marker is in this post office area: Lander WY 82520, United States of America. Touch for directions.

Regionally, this marker is in Wind River Country.

It is also in the American Mountain West.

Globally, it is in North America,

the Rocky Mountains,

the Western Hemisphere,

the Western World,

and the Anglosphere.

Other nearby markers. At least 8 other markers are within 2 miles of this marker, measured as the crow flies: The Carissa Mine: Cycle of Boom and Bust (approx. 0.3 miles away); South Pass City: Wyoming’s Biggest Gold Boom and Bust (approx. 0.3 miles away); Esther Hobart Morris (approx. 0.6 miles away); South Pass City (approx. 0.7 miles away); First Masonic Lodge in Wyoming (approx. ¾ mile away); Crushing Gold Ore (approx. 0.9 miles away); How a Stamp Mill Works (approx. 1.1 miles away); South Pass and South Pass City (approx. 1.6 miles away). Touch for a list and map of all markers in South Pass City.

Credits. This page was last revised on April 6, 2026. It was originally submitted on January 24, 2026, by Jeffrey Running of Lander, Wyoming. This page has been viewed 40 times since then. Photo 1. submitted on January 24, 2026, by Jeffrey Running of Lander, Wyoming. • Andrew Ruppenstein was the editor who published this page.

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