Rock Springs is the largest city in Sweetwater County and the fourth largest city in Wyoming. Rock Springs is the principal city of the Rock Springs micropolitan statistical area. Founded in 1868 with the coming of the Union Pacific Railrosd, the town grew to become one of the most significant coal mining centers in the western United States. While remembering its past as a coal mining community, the town is today an economic center for the oil and gas industry, coal mining and ranching. It is also a gateway to the historic and scenic attractions throughout Sweetwater County.
This quaint western town got its name for the natural springs that used to have water that flowed through rocks located in the vicinity of Springs Drive. Another interesting fact about Rock Springs WY is that strolling downtown, notice the building at address 432 Main. This was once the butcher shop where an employee named Robert LeRoy Parker gained the "Butch" portion of his alias Butch Cassidy. When looking at one of the many hotels Rock Springs Wyoming you head there are many different kinds of establishments for you to choose from.
South of town is the Flaming Gorge National Recreation Area. In around this 91 mile reservoir, you can see towering cliffs, brilliantly colored rocks and lots of wildlife. The area is great for water sports, camping and fishing for trophy rainbows, lake and brown trout as well as kokanee and smallmouth bass.
Just north of Rock Springs is the Great Red Desert, which is full of beautiful scenery and home to one of the largest wild horse herds in the world.
Rock Springs is also home to Western Wyoming Community College, and Wyoming's Big Show a yearly event featuring a carnival and concerts, held at the Sweetwater County Events Complex.
Rock Springs is located in an energy-rich region that boasts a large number of oil and natural gas wells.
The Historic Business District is listed on the National Register of Historic Places. The buildings reflect the changing economic fortunes of the town. Nineteenth century wood-frame, false-front buildings stand next to imposing early 20th century stone and brick buildings. The heart of the downtown area is the Old City Hall. This large two-story stone building with its distinctive white spire was constructed in 1894 and was used by the city until 1982. Today it houses the Rock Springs Historical Museum. . The Fine Arts Center, located in the Rock Springs Library, displays the works of local artists.
West of the downtown area on College Hill is Western Wyoming Community College. The College is the home of one of the largest displays of dinosaur skeletons in the Intermountain West. In addition, the Natural History Museum contains displays on the archaeology and paleontology of southwestern Wyoming.
Housing Cost
Estimated median house or condo value in 2007: $172,958
Demographics
Population in July 2007: 19,617. Rock Springs covers 18.4 square miles. It sits at an eleation of 6,388 feet above sea level.
Zip codes: 82901, 82902 - Area code: 307
Information provided by idcide.com and city data.com
most significant coal mining centers in the western United States. While remembering its past as a coal mining community, the town is today an economic center for the oil and gas industry, coal mining and ranching. It is also a gateway to the historic and scenic attractions throughout Sweetwater County.