Jelm-Frank Smith Ranch Historic District facts for kids
Quick facts for kids |
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Jelm-Frank Smith Ranch Historic District
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 Location in Wyoming
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| Nearest city | Woods Landing, Wyoming |
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| Area | 400 acres (160 ha) |
| Built | 1879 |
| Architectural style | Log Cabin style |
| NRHP reference No. | 78002816 |
| Added to NRHP | August 31, 1978 |
The Jelm-Frank Smith Ranch Historic District is a special historical area in Wyoming. It's also known by older names like Old Jelm and Cummins City. This district is located on the Laramie River near Woods Landing. It was once the site of a busy mining town called Cummins City, which started in 1880.
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Discovering the Jelm-Frank Smith Ranch History
This historic district tells the story of early mining booms and the people who lived through them. It shows how towns grew quickly and then sometimes faded away.
The Rise and Fall of Cummins City
In 1880, a town called Cummins City was founded. This happened because gold was found in the nearby mountains. W.S. "Buck" Bramel and John Cummins started the town. By 1881, Cummins City had about 100 houses and a hotel. But the gold mining didn't last long. By 1886, most mining in the area had stopped.
Jelm: A New Beginning
In the 1890s, copper was discovered in the Sierra Madre and Medicine Bow mountains. This brought new life to the area. Cummins City was renamed Jelm in 1900. This new mining boom also slowed down over time. By 1930, only about 50 people lived in Jelm.
Frank Smith's Ranch and Legacy
Frank Smith was a person who worked in Cummins City and Jelm during the mining booms. He decided to stay even after the booms ended. He started his own homestead, which is like a farm or ranch. By the time he passed away in 1945, his land had grown to about 10,000 acres. The buildings of his ranch are now the main parts of the Jelm-Frank Smith Historic District.
Exploring the Historic Buildings
The historic district includes 19 buildings. Most of these buildings are made from logs and sit on stone foundations. You can find many different types of structures here. These include a building that was both a school and a church, several sheds, houses, cabins, and barns. There was even a bar and an oculist's shop, which is a place where eye doctors worked. The ranch headquarters building is also part of the district.
Jelm in the Movies
Jelm was even a filming location for a movie! In 1917, the famous actor Douglas Fairbanks, Sr. filmed parts of his movie The Man from Painted Post in Jelm. The film crew had to leave Rock River because the mayor there didn't approve of them. So, they moved their filming to Jelm instead.
When the Historic District Was Created
The Jelm-Frank Smith Ranch Historic District was officially recognized on August 31, 1978. This means it is protected as an important historical site.
