Carbon City was the first coal mining town in Wyoming. Established in 1868 along the Union Pacific railroad, Carbon was an important hub for the westward expansion and colonialism of 1800s America. Miners primarily from the Eastern US and Europe immigrated to Carbon, bringing their families, possessions, and culture with them. Although multiple mines were opened near Carbon, by 1910 the coal had gone bust and the city was ultimately abandoned as the railroad was re-routed to more productive mines in Hanna. Today, Carbon City consists of a scattering of foundations, coal dust, and historic debris amongst a sea of sage.
Established by Drs. Alexandra Kelly and Jason Toohey (University of Wyoming), the Carbon City Archaeology Project seeks to understand the lives of the people who called Carbon City home, and evaluate how the broader themes of capitalism, colonialism, exploitation, and resilience manifest in the archaeological record. This is a collaborative project involving descendants of people who lived at Carbon during its heyday, as well as historians and archaeologists from across Wyoming. During the summers of 2021 and 2022, I served as a Graduate Assistant for the University of Wyoming field schools during which I helped oversee survey, mapping, and testing of areas in and around Carbon City. This project is in the early stages, but additional field work is planned for 2023 and beyond. I will continue to collaborate with Drs. Kelly and Toohey as they develop and expand their research project.
Established by Drs. Alexandra Kelly and Jason Toohey (University of Wyoming), the Carbon City Archaeology Project seeks to understand the lives of the people who called Carbon City home, and evaluate how the broader themes of capitalism, colonialism, exploitation, and resilience manifest in the archaeological record. This is a collaborative project involving descendants of people who lived at Carbon during its heyday, as well as historians and archaeologists from across Wyoming. During the summers of 2021 and 2022, I served as a Graduate Assistant for the University of Wyoming field schools during which I helped oversee survey, mapping, and testing of areas in and around Carbon City. This project is in the early stages, but additional field work is planned for 2023 and beyond. I will continue to collaborate with Drs. Kelly and Toohey as they develop and expand their research project.
Dr. Alexandra Kelly discusses ongoing Carbon City work with descendent community members.
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Jason Toohey and Alexandra Kelly.
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2022 field school student Zoe Thompson documenting a test unit at Carbon.
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