Incorporated by U.S. Army General John Rawlins in 1886, the charming City of Rawlins, Wyoming is filled with local lore and interesting things to do.
Visitors to the city can view a rare, thrust faulted, anticline rock called “The Uplift” that boldly displays fossilized relics from three different prehistoric eras as well as learn about colorful and macabre characters as Dr. Osborne, Big Nose George, and Annie “Plum Pie” Bruce just to name a few.
There is also a haunted penitentiary, quaint shops along the city’s Main Street and railroad relics all begging for exploration.
Union Pacific Railroad Depot and Depot Park
Visitors to Rawlins would do well to stop off at both the “Union Pacific Railroad Depot” and “Depot Park” to get a better appreciation for the city’s railroad history.
A “Walk through Carbon County History” brochure can be obtained at the park. The brochure is part of a free self-guided tour that takes visitors through the city’s friendly Main Street district.
Union Pacific Railroad Depot and Depot Park
400 West Front Street
Rawlins, WY 82301
307-328-2099
Carbon County Museum
Many know the grisly story of serial killer Ed Gein who used the flesh and bones of his victims to construct household items and clothing, but how many know the macabre story of “Big Nose George?
George “Big Nose” Parrot was a convicted outlaw from the 1800’s. Ole Big Nose George was waiting in Rawlins to be executed on April 2, 1881 when a group of impatient vigilantes moved up his execution date and hung George themselves.
This act in and of itself was not unusual, but what happened to Big Nose George’s remains were. Pair of local Rawlins physicians by the names of T.G Maghee and John Osborne was given Big Nose’s body and together with their apprentice Lillian Heath proceeded to skin Big Nose George and use his flesh to construct a pair of shoes for Dr. Osborne.
In addition to the shoes, they also created a death mask and performed other similar such acts on George Parrot’s remains.
The “Carbon County Museum” in Rawlins has an exhibit on Big Nose George, the doctors and Lillian Heath. The three body defilers where never charged with any crimes and Miss Heath actually went on to become the first female doctor to practice medicine in the State of Wyoming.
Other exhibits at the “Carbon County Museum” may not be as bizarre as Big Nose George but they are just as entertaining. The “Carbon County Museum” maintains permanent exhibits as well as rotating ones. There is no set admission fee, however, a donation is requested.
As of 2010 the “Carbon County Museum” is open Tuesday through Friday from 10:00 am until 6:00 pm June through September. It is also open on Saturdays from 1:00 pm until 5:00 pm during the same months.
Carbon County Museum
904 West Walnut Street
Rawlins, WY 82301
307-328-2740
Rawlins Haunted Penitentiary and Museum
Considered to be a paranormal hot spot, “Wyoming State Penitentiary”, was also the filming location of the 1988 movie “Prison” whose storyline revolved around an executed inmate who came back in spectral form to extract revenge on the prison’s warden.
The “Wyoming State Penitentiary” once housed 13,500 of Wyoming’s vilest criminals. It was in operation as a prison from 1901 to 1981 and now serves as the home of the “Wyoming Frontier Prison Museum.”
During its years as a prison the facility underwent several periods of expansion. It started out with a 104 cell block known as “Cell Block A” and ended up with a total of 3 cell blocks, a death house and several solitary confinement rooms.
Harsh punishments that are no longer allowed in the criminal justice system today were employed at the penitentiary. Before the 1930’s it was not uncommon for wet and naked criminals to be beaten with rubber hoses and handcuffed to metal poles for hours on end.
The “Wyoming Frontier Prison Museum” offers regular, year round history tours of the site on Mondays through Thursdays at 9:30 am, 11:30 am, 1:30 pm and 4:30 pm. Admission to the regular tour is $7.00 per adult and $6.00 for children and seniors. There is also a special family rate of $30.00.
In addition to the regular tours, the “Wyoming Frontier Prison Museum” features paranormal investigations as well as annual Halloween and Christmas special events. Due to the popularity of certain tours, advance reservations are often required.
Wyoming Frontier Prison Museum
500 West Walnut Street
Rawlins, WY 82301
307-324-4422
Additional Information
Those seeking more about the City of Rawlins can find additional information on both the city’s website and the Main Street District website.
