Near Lovell in Big Horn County, Wyoming — The American West (Mountains)

Gold Fever

Photographed by Barry Swackhamer, September 14, 2015

1. Gold Fever Marker

Inscription. The large rocks next to you are granite. These were formed within the earth's crust 1 billion years ago. Their exposure is the result of the eroding forces of wind, water, and ice. This granite contains quartz and resembles the rock containing gold found in many parts of the west.
Discoveries of fine-grained gold north of Bald Mountain were made in 1890. "Gold fever" brought many prospectors to the area over the next 10 years. In 1892, the Fortunatas Mining and Milling Company purchased a group of claims on the head of the Little Horn River and Porcupine Creek. The excitement led to the establishment of Bald Mountain City, the most extensive attempt at a settlement in the Big Horn Mountains. The gold rush ended by 1900 because the yields were not enough to pay for the effort of panning.

Erected by U.S. Department of Agriculture, Bighorn National Forrest.

Topics. This historical marker is listed in these topic lists: Industry & Commerce • Settlements & Settlers.

Location. 44° 48.577′ N, 107° 50.48′ W. Marker is near Lovell, Wyoming, in Big Horn County. It is on U.S. 14A at milepost 79 near 130, on the right when traveling west. Touch for map. Marker is in this post office area: Lovell WY 82431, United States of America. Touch for directions.

Regionally, this marker is in Wyoming’s Bighorn Basin.

It is also in the American Mountain West

and in the Lewis & Clark Corridor.

Globally, it is in North America,

the Rocky Mountains,

the Western Hemisphere,

the Western World,

and the Anglosphere.

Other nearby markers. At least 8

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other markers are within 7 miles of this marker, measured as the crow flies: Medicine Wheel (a few steps from this marker); a different marker also named Medicine Wheel (approx. 2.9 miles away); a different marker also named Medicine Wheel (approx. 2.9 miles away); Five Springs (approx. 3.7 miles away); Welcome to the Medicine Wheel (approx. 4.1 miles away); Bighorn Basin (approx. 4.6 miles away); Big Horn Basin (approx. 4.6 miles away); Reconstruction - Finally! (approx. 6½ miles away). Touch for a list and map of all markers in Lovell.

Another marker is no longer nearby. Mystery Shrouds the Medicine Wheel (was approx. 4.1 miles away but has been permanently removed).

More about this marker. This marker is located at turnout on the north side of U.S. Highway 14A about 21 mies west of Burgess Junction and just east of the turn-off for the Bald Mountain campground.

Photographed by Barry Swackhamer, September 14, 2015

2. Gold Fever Marker

This marker is on the right.

Bald Mountain City image. Click for full size.

Photographed by Wyoming Tales and Trails

3. Bald Mountain City

Credits. This page was last revised on June 16, 2016. It was originally submitted on December 7, 2015, by Barry Swackhamer of Brentwood, California. This page has been viewed 567 times since then and 11 times this year. Photos: 1, 2, 3. submitted on December 7, 2015, by Barry Swackhamer of Brentwood, California.