Rawlins - located just 48 miles West on I-80
Carbon County owes much of its early history to the Union Pacific Railroad. The railroad gave names to unnamed places as it laid tracks westward over the Rocky Mountains that would eventually become the Trans-Continental Railroad. Rawlins, which is the county seat, lies on Interstate 80.
In 1886, while Wyoming was still a territory, the legislature voted to construct a Territorial Prison and chose a site outside of Rawlins. It's also the only prison we know of that allows visitors to sit in a real gas chamber (in the same steel seat as five executed prisoners). It's a vast place; 13,500 inmates were kept here during the prison's 80 years of operation. The Old Wyoming State Penitentiary in use from 1901 – 1981 is now listed on the National Register of Historic Places and offers hour-long guided tours. This oppressive, medieval-looking, stone building was Wyoming’s only state prison for eighty years until a new, more modern, facility was built outside of Rawlins. The “Old Frontier Prison”, as it is best known, was closed in 1981. Today the “Old Pen” houses not only the Frontier Prison Museum, but also the Wyoming Peace Officers’ Museum, bringing the stories of Wyoming’s best and worst together in one place.
Shoes made from the skin of Big Nose George - another item unique to Rawlins, Wyoming. George Francis Warden, a.k.a. George Parrot, a.k.a. "Big Nose George," was a horse thief and a train robber. In 1878, after a botched hold-up, he and his gang killed a couple of lawmen and fled to Montana. Rawlins’ Dr. Osborne's was not a fan of Big Nose George and so his payback was special. He peeled the skin off of George's chest and thighs and had it made into a doctor's bag, a coin purse, and a pair of shoes. Or, rather, half a pair of shoes. The rest of the leather -- the darker portion -- was cut from the shoes that George was wearing when he choked to death. These are on display in the Carbon County Museum as well.
Golfers be sure to visit the Rochelle Ranch Public Golf Course. The 18-hole "Rochelle" course at the Rochelle Ranch Municipal Golf Course facility in Rawlins, Wyoming features 7,925 yards of golf from the longest tees for a par of 72. Designed by Kenneth M. Kavanaugh, ASGCA, the Rochelle golf course opened in 2004. It’s links style layout sits in the natural landscape of Rawlins Wyoming and incorporates the natural beauty of the high mountain desert of Wyoming. Part of the challenge of the course comes with Wyoming’s weather and terrain. Located on I-80, Rochelle Ranch features an 18 hole championship course that will challenge golfers of all skill levels. There are five teeing areas for each hole to insure all levels will enjoy the course. The Ken Kavanaugh design features the longest hole in the state of Wyoming and is currently the longest course in the state with a yardage of 7295 yards from the back tees. Since it’s opening Rochelle Ranch has received many accolades including; Golf Digest’s 29th most difficult course in the country and, number 39 in Golf magazine’s thrifty fifty in 2009. In 2010 it was listed in the state’s top 5 courses to play by Golf magazine.
HISTORIC FERRIS MANSION BED AND BREAKFAST
This impressive Queen Anne style Victorian mansion was built in Rawlins near the turn of the century and served as the home of Julia Ferris, widow of early mining pioneer, George Ferris. It is listed on the National Register of Historic Places.
Population: 9,006 - Elevation: 6,755 feet
