Cambria, Wyoming facts for kids
Quick facts for kids
Cambria, Wyoming
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Town
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 Cambria, Wyoming
Location in Wyoming
Cambria, Wyoming
Location in the United States
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| Country | United States |
| State | Wyoming |
| County | Weston County |
| Founded | 1889 |
| Post office established | 1890 |
| Abandoned | c. 1928 |
| Founded by | Kilpatrick Brothers & Collins |
| Elevation | 5,121 ft (1,561 m) |
| Time zone | UTC-7 (MST) |
| • Summer (DST) | UTC-6 (MDT) |
Cambria was a successful coal mining town in Weston County, Wyoming, United States. It existed from 1889 to 1928. Today, it is known as a ghost town.
Contents
History of Cambria
How Cambria Started
Cambria began as a mining town. People might have used coal from this area to heat their homes long ago. After the American Civil War, there was a huge need for coal. This was because railroads were expanding across the western United States.
The Chicago, Burlington & Quincy Railroad needed a cheaper way to get coal. So, a company called Kilpatrick Brothers & Collins (KB&C) sent people to find coal in the Black Hills. In 1887, they found high-quality coal deposits. This area was then named Cambria Canyon.
KB&C created the Cambria Fuel Company. Frank Mondell became its manager. The railroad agreed to buy coal from them. Tracks were built from Newcastle, Wyoming to the new mine. This was finished in 1889, and Cambria was born!
Life in the Town
KB&C helped build the town of Cambria. They built many important places for the miners and their families.
One of the first buildings was a hospital. It had four beds and even an x-ray room. The company also built a deep well that could pump a lot of water every day. There was also a reservoir for water storage.
Cambria had a school and three churches. There were two hotels, one of which was three stories tall. The town also had a bank, a courthouse, and offices. For fun, there was a concert band and an opera house. The opera house once sold out a show called Faust. There was also a recreation building with billiard tables, pool tables, and a bowling alley. About 150 houses were built for the miners and their families.
The company had its own store called a commissary. Miners could use special coins called "clackers" there. These coins were small and made a clacking sound. People from outside Cambria even visited this store.
A post office opened in 1890. As Cambria grew, more stores appeared. A cemetery was located northeast of town. Many people died from illnesses, especially children, and from mining accidents.
The mining company later made rules against strong alcohol. This meant that saloons and dance halls were banned. However, a beer wagon still came daily from Newcastle for the miners. Sometimes, there were fights in the town.
The first Catholic service in Cambria was held in 1891. It was led by Reverend P. Cassidy. People from different Christian groups attended these services. The St. James Roman Catholic Church was built in 1903. There was also an Episcopal church in Cambria.
The Grand Lodge was a meeting place for three groups: the Independent Order of Odd Fellows, the Knights of Pythias, and the Improved Order of Red Men. This hall also had a swimming pool and a gym. Famous people like Solomon Star and Edward McDonald were members.
In 1904, the Cambria Coal Company said the town had about 1,400 people. But the official count in 1900 was 966 residents. In 1923, the company started building a small resort called Cambria Casino Park. It cost a lot of money and was finished in 1928.
Mining for Coal
The Cambria Fuel Company started its mining operations on December 4, 1889. They had six mines in the valley. The mining equipment was brought in by wagon trains from Nebraska.
The coal was moved using special bridges called trestles. It went into bins over the main railroad tracks. The company built 74 ovens to turn waste coal into coke. Coke was then sent to places that melted metal, called smelters. At one point, coke was worth $5.60 a ton. Cambria coal also had tiny amounts of gold, which sold for $2 per ton.
Horses and mules were used in the mines. The town had an electrical system powered by large steam engines. To work in the mine, people first had to buy land next to the mine. Then, they sold the land and its mineral rights to the Cambria Fuel Company. This way, the company gained a lot of land.
The company hired workers from many European countries. They paid for their trip to the United States and gave them clothes and homes. Between 1900 and 1904, about 550 to 750 men worked at the mine.
In 1907, the Cambria Salt Company tried to restart old salt mines, but it failed. In 1910, KB&C sold the mines to new owners. Overall, the Cambria Fuel Company produced about 13 million tons of coal, worth $20 million.
Why Cambria Became a Ghost Town
By 1928, the good quality coal was almost gone. In February 1928, the Cambria Fuel Company announced the mine would close by April 1. This would happen unless new coal was found.
On March 15, 1928, at 4:30 P.M., the mine whistle blew for the last time. It was said to sound like a disaster warning. Many miners left quickly to find new jobs. Some thought the mine would reopen and went on vacation. By evening, many shop owners had left.
The town did not become empty instantly, though. Closing ceremonies were held on April 28, 1928. People in Cambria had a dance, music, and speeches to mark the end. The post office closed on December 31, 1928.
The Cambria Casino Park was sold and later leased. In 1929, the railroad tracks were removed. Many buildings were sold and moved. Others were taken apart for wood or damaged. The town was mostly taken apart by World War II.
Cambria Today
Today, the Cambria Casino Park is a resort. It is sometimes leased and operates as a bed and breakfast called the Flying V Cambria Inn.
Several houses are still standing at the old town site. You can also see the superintendent's home, the church steeple, and the mule stables. The bank and office vaults, some garages, many mine buildings, and cold cellars are also among the ruins. The 365 steps that led to the school and homes are still there. Clearings in the trees show where the old paths and roads used to be.
Geography
Cambria was located about 8 miles north of Newcastle, Wyoming. It was just off U.S. Highway 85.
Population of Cambria
In 1895, Cambria had 329 people. In 1900, the official count was 966 residents. However, the company reported about 1,400 people. Between 1904, about 550 to 750 men worked at the mine. By 1928, the town was abandoned.
Notable Person
- Franklin Wheeler Mondell (1860–1939) was the manager of the Cambria Fuel Company. He also served as a U.S. Representative for Wyoming.
