Read a complimentary Article

Boomtown

Prepared by Jim Bradley, Retired
Wyoming Game and Fish Department

Boomtown

During the 1970s, Southwest Wyoming was experiencing one of its periodic booms. Rock Springs was at the center of this growth, and conditions there were bad enough to warrant acclaimed television show 60 Minutes to visit the area for a news program. The nationally televised event depicted life in the “Boomtown.”

The first, and only, statewide grand jury in our state’s history also took a look at various aspects of the situation. The majority of the boomer population were young, unattached males making gobs of money with no (good) place to spend it. Prostitution and drugs were rampant, as was crime in general.

People were known to be hit by stray bullets while walking down the street, in broad daylight. People were living in caves in the rocks, tents and homemade shelters in the brush along the rivers. Others resorted to the back seats of their cars everywhere else.

Read the complimentary Article