Sunrise, ghost town in Wyoming, United States
Sunrise is an abandoned mining town in Wyoming listed on the National Register of Historic Places. The settlement developed starting in 1899 around an iron ore mine and included residential homes, schools, commercial buildings, and public facilities built to serve workers and their families.
The town was founded in 1899 by the Colorado Fuel and Iron Company and developed into an iron ore mining center, reaching peak production in the 1940s. The mine closed in 1980 due to declining ore quality and market changes, after which residents departed and the settlement gradually emptied.
The ruins are freely accessible and can be explored on your own, though the site requires sturdy footwear and caution on uneven ground. Bring water and sun protection as there is little shade and few facilities on-site.
The site produced over 40 million tons of iron ore during operations, with peak extraction in 1941, contributing to steel production across the region. An extensive photo collection from 1899 to 1920 documents daily life and shows how the settlement actually appeared during its height.
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