Coal mining was responsible for growth of Sheridan County area in the late 1890's to early 1900's. Monarch, Dietz, Acme, Kooi, Kleenburn were local mining towns...now all that remains are a couple water towers, some concrete foundations, small cemeteries, and a boarded up mine shaft opening. We followed the Black Diamond Trail to visit some of these ghost towns. As the mines closed in the 1930's, residents moved into Sheridan.
Shaft coal mining eventually brought the railroad to Sheridan. Timber from nearby Bighorn Mountains was used for railroad ties; massive flumes were constructed to bring logs down the mountains to the rail lines being built. The railroad company bought and transported coal to larger markets in the northwest.
The Sheridan Inn grew from the need for a place for train passengers to stay. Opened in 1893, it was one of the first western hotels to feature running water and electricity. Buffalo Bill Cody auditioned riders for his Wild West Shows from the Inn. Another notable guest of the 1920's was Ernest Hemingway. The Inn is also known as "House of 69 Gables" for all the gabled windows on the upper floor guest rooms.
The Bozeman Trail route ran through nearby town of Big Horn...some wagon ruts from the trail are still visible on the hills along I-90.Also in Sheridan is King's Saddlery Museum...a collection of saddles, ropes, and western memorabilia. Craftsmen there still embellish saddles and other leather goods with fine tooling.
(Sorry for so few photos; our camera was broken during one of our outings in this area)
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