Bryan, Wyoming facts for kids
Bryan was once a small town in Sweetwater County, Wyoming, but today it's a "ghost town" – meaning almost nothing is left of it. It's located about 12 miles (19 km) west of Green River, along the Blacks Fork River. For a short time, Bryan was an important spot for the Union Pacific Railroad, serving as its local headquarters. Now, you can only find a few old concrete foundations there.
The Story of Bryan: A Railroad Town
How Bryan Started
Back in 1868, many people rushed to places like Green River City in Wyoming. They hoped to claim land because they knew the First Transcontinental Railroad was coming. This railroad was a huge project that would connect the eastern and western parts of the United States.
The Union Pacific Railroad didn't want to deal with the people who had already claimed land in Green River. So, they decided to build a brand new town instead! They chose a spot west of Green River, near the Blacks Fork River. This new town was called Bryan. It became the main local office and a key stopping point for the railroad.
From Bryan, stagecoaches (like old-fashioned buses) would take people to Green River. From Green River, they could travel to different mines and towns all over Wyoming.
Why Bryan Became a Ghost Town
After Bryan was chosen as the railroad's main spot, Green River City's population quickly dropped. However, Bryan's success didn't last long. A few years later, the Blacks Fork River started to dry up because of a drought. The railroad became worried that there wouldn't be enough water in Bryan to keep their steam locomotives running.
Because of the water problem, the railroad decided to move its headquarters. They were able to get enough land to move everything back to Green River. Bryan was completely abandoned by the railroad. Green River then grew and became a successful town, but Bryan's population quickly disappeared and it never recovered. Today, it remains a quiet ghost town.
