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History | Points of Interest | Rawlins Events and Attractions

Rawlins is located 90 miles west of Laramie, 40 miles southwest of Seminoe State Park and an hour north of the Sierra Madre Range in southcentral Wyoming. Serving as the county seat, Rawlins is home to more than half of the people living in Carbon County. The Rawlins Uplift, a rock formation that is a boundary between the prairies of southeastern Wyoming and the desert basins to the west, is a distinctive landmark north of the City.

Rawlins has a multitude of services: places to stay, eat and shop, convenience stores, a grocery store, a full-service hospital, a recreation center and a golf course.

History

Rawlins is named after General John A. Rawlins. In 1867, while protecting the survey crews for the First Transcontinental Railroad, General Rawlins sent out a party of his soldiers in search of good drinking water. Upon locating a natural spring, the area was named Rawlins Springs and years later shortened to Rawlins.

Coal miners and railroad workers literally paved the way for more settlement in Carbon County. In 1868 the railroad arrived in Rawlins and with it came more opportunites for outlaws. One of the most bizarre outlaw tales is that of Big Nose George Parrott. Lynched at a spot opposite the Union Pacific Depot, Big Nose George confessed to having participated in the Elk Mountain murder of 1878. Following his execution, local physician, John E. Osborne had the outlaw’s skin made into a pair of shoes and other commercial items.
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Points of Interest

The Carbon County Museum, located on Walnut Street, has local and regional historical artifacts and displays, including the details surrounding Big Nose George, one of three original Wyoming flags and a huge historic photograph archive . The Museum is open year round with a shaded, outdoor area for picnics. Tours are available upon request.

The original or Historic Union Pacific Depot, located in Historic Downtown Rawlins, now belongs to the City of Rawlins. It has been refurbished and is available for meetings. For more information, contact Rawlins DDA/Main Street at 307-328-2099.

The Rawlins Main Street Mural Project is an educational walking tour that celebrates the history of Carbon County. Murals created by local artists are on display throughout downtown Rawlins. A brochure can be obtained from Rawlins DDA/Main Street inside the Historic Union Pacific Depot, the Rawlins Chamber of Commerce or at any of the murals.

Just south of Rawlins is the Wyoming State Penitentiary, which has been in operation since 1982. Prior to its construction, prisoners were housed in the Wyoming Frontier Prison, also know as the Old Pen. The Old Pen, built in the late 1800s, was Wyoming’s only state prison for 80 years. Tours are available Memorial Day through October and by appointment at 307-324-4422.

Much of the Continental Divide Trail (CDT) accessed from Rawlins can be explored with 4WD vehicles. Clear days offer views of the Wind River Mountains to the north and several Colorado peaks to the south.

Pronghorn Pride is a community antelope art project and fund-raiser for the future Pronghorn Visitors Center along I-80. Local artists paint fiberglass pronghorns which are then auctioned each June at the Old Union Pacific Depot. Many pronghorn antelope from past auctions are on display throughout Rawlins. Top of Page

Rawlins Events & Attractions

One of the biggest events in Rawlins is the annual Carbon County Fair and Rodeo. This 8-day event includes livestock shows and sales, project displays and demonstrations, a parade, a demolition derby, rodeo events such as barrel racing, roping events and mutton bustin and a street dance. Dates: August 7-14, 2010. Top of Page

Rawlins National Bank
One Location in Saratoga
209 S. 1st St.
Saratoga, WY 82331
307-326-8314 | FAX 307-326-9850
AND
Two Rawlins Locations to Serve You
220 5th St. | 800-788-9479 | 307-324-1100
and 600 N. Higley Blvd. | 307-324-1183
Rawlins, WY 82301
www.rnbonline.com
LONGEST BANKING HOURS IN CARBON COUNTY! We are the only bank in the county with Saturday drive-up window hours from 9am-Noon. 24-hour ATMs at Rawlins, Saratoga and Hanna bank buildings and inside City Market in Rawlins. All lobbies are open M-F 9am-5pm with drive-up service 7:30am-5:30pm; Hanna drive-up service 8:30am-5pm. We now have a location in Longmont, Colorado. Loans of all types-business, real estate, personal. Member FDIC.

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Oak Tree Inn & Penny's Diner
2005 E. Daley St.
Rawlins, WY 82301
307-324-4700 | FAX 307-324-9667
rawlinsoti@bresnan.net
We aim to be the first choice for cooked-to-order, 24-hour dining in Rawlins by exceeding our guests expectations for food quality, friendliness, cleanliness and service in a fun, 50’s atmosphere. Open 7 days a week for breakfast, lunch and dinner. Plenty of variety from full breakfasts, burgers, shakes & ice cream to chicken fried steaks. Ribeye steaks and shrimp on Friday nights, when available. See also LODGING.

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Best Western CottonTree Inn
2221 W. Spruce St. | P. O. Box 387
Rawlins, WY 82301
Reservations: 800-662-6886
307-324-2737 | FAX 307-324-5011
www.cottontreeinns.com
Clean, comfortable and newly remodeled to make your stay even more enjoyable. King and queen size beds, FREE hot breakfasts for our guests, lounge, hot tub, indoor pool, dry heat sauna, FREE high-speed Internet access in every room, air conditioning, in-room coffee, micro-fridges in every room, satellite TV and HBO, Movie-on-Demand, computer jacks, hair dryers, irons and ironing boards. Free passes to Rawlins Family Recreation Center. Lots of parking. Easy access to I-80. Non-smoking rooms. Friendly service. Independently owned and operated. Click here to see our ad.

Comfort Inn & Suites - Rawlins
2366 E. Cedar St.
Rawlins, WY 82301
307-324-3663
wy_comfortinn59@yahoo.com | http://www.choicehotels.com
We offer 65 comfortable and beautifully designed rooms, plus 15 suites (2 have spas in-room). Non-smoking rooms, King and Queen high beds, indoor pool and spa, exercise room, great deluxe continental breakfast and business center. Business guests enjoy our large conference center with a 22” projector television and screen and our separate small conference area. In-room coffee, high speed wire and wireless Internet, micro-fridges, keyless entry, iron and ironing board in every room. Guest laundry, elevators, large parking area also. Small pets allowed with permission. Click here to see our ad.

Oak Tree Inn & Penny's Diner
2005 E. Daley St.
Rawlins, WY 82301
307-324-4700 | FAX 307-324-9667
rawlinsoti@bresnan.net
We aim to exceed guest expectations for cleanliness, friendliness, quality, and speed of service, as we provide a superior rest environment that is attractive, well-maintained and secure at a fair price. 62 non-smoking rooms, king and queen size beds and one suite. Microwave oven, micro-fridge, in-room coffee and FREE high- speed Internet access in every room. Fitness center, meeting room and plenty of parking. 24-hour dining on premises at Penny’s Diner. See also DINING.

Super 8 - Rawlins
2338 Wagon Circle Rd.
Rawlins, WY 82301
Reservations: 1-800-800-8000
307-328-0630 | FAX 307-328-1814
super8rawlins@gmail.com | www.super8.com
Recently renovated & updated. 47 rooms with queen-size beds, high-speed Internet, continental breakfast, microwaves and mini-fridges in some rooms, cable TV and HBO on 32-inch televisions, guest laundry services and free local calls. Easy access to I-80 with nearby restaurants. Non-smoking rooms. Friendly service. Independently owned and operated.

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Heavenly Body N Sole Massage and Reflexology
214 W. Maple
Rawlins, WY 82301
307-329-SOLE (7653)
Feel the Ahhh...in Massage. For over twelve years, Susan Marich, Therapist, Reflexologist and Reiki Master Teacher has been making Carbon County and its guests feel heavenly. Be nurtured in a safe inviting spa-like environment, without the spa price. A gentle effective massage can reduce stress. Stress can have a lasting negative affect on the body and can impair immune function. Relieve the discomfort of overuse due to over-training with a deep tissue massage. Your privacy, health and well-being are our top priority. Tuesdays in Rawlins by appointment--reserve yours today! Cash and checks gladly accepted. Gift certificates available.
For a complete listing of services, click here to see our ad.

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Carbon County Museum
904 W. Walnut | P. O. Box 52
Rawlins, WY 82301
307-328-2740 | FAX 307-328-2666
carbonc@wyoming.com | www.carboncountymuseum.org
Come visit the Carbon County Museum. Exhibiting materials relevant to the history and growth of Carbon County. We are home to one of six existing original Wyoming flags, designed by Verna Keays in 1916. Our exhibits tell about life in the West, Native American legends and lore, western justice (including shoes made from the skin of the infamous “Big Nose” George Parrott), the rich heritage of cattle and sheep ranching, geology/fossils, mining, and much more. We are also the only museum in Wyoming with an Edison Foundation collection. OPEN October-May: Tues.-Sat. 1pm-5pm & June-September: Tues.-Fri. 10am-6pm and Sat. 1pm-5pm. Special tours by appointment.

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Century 21 Cornerston Realty, LLC
502 W. Spruce St.
Rawlins, WY 82301
877-324-3349
307-324-3349 | FAX 307-324-3374
cornerstonerealty@union-tel.com | www.century21cornerstone.com
We believe it’s the people that make the difference in Real Estate. A full service brokerage with professionals in Saratoga and Rawlins that care about helping you find the home or property that fits your needs. Superior service, market expertise and years of listing and selling residential, commercial, recreational and ranch properties and property management in Carbon County. Business brokerage services available statewide.
Click here to see our ad.

Coldwell Banker Hewitt & Associates
303 W. Spruce | P. O. Box 220
Rawlins, WY 82301
307-328-0621 | FAX 307-324-4500
Cellular 307-320-8748
shewitt@wyoming.com | www.coldwellbanker.com
Expect the best! Premier office with over 75 years of total experience. Coldwell Banker is an industry leader in residential real estate and in niche markets such as resort, new homes and luxury properties. Our agents are honest, knowledgeable real estate people with the customer's best interest at heart. As local market experts, we are dedicated to guiding you through the real estate process from log in to move in and helping you with all of the details before, during and after the sale. CRS, GRI certified. We can build to suit your needs.

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Carbon County Visitors Council
P. O. Box 1017
Rawlins, WY 82301
800-228-3547 | 307-324-3020 | FAX 307-324-844
www.wyomingcarboncounty.com
A Board of local representatives who manage lodging tax revenues and promote tourism within Carbon County, Wyoming. Located in south-central Wyoming. Hike the Continental Divide, drive America’s most scenic roads, soak in free mineral hot springs, fish blue ribbon waters. Call for a FREE Visitors Information Packet. Visit Wyoming’s Carbon County...what stories will you tell? Click here to see our ad.

Rawlins-Carbon County Chamber of Commerce
519 W. Cedar | P. O. Box 1331
Rawlins, WY 82301
866-RAWLINS | FAX 307-324-5078
www.rawlinschamberofcommerce.org
We serve the entire county by promoting commerce, business development, economic growth and prosperity. Our members have access to unique networking opportunities, educational programs, business services and special events designed to help their business succeed. Click here to see our ad.

Rawlins DDA/Main Street
400 W. Front St. | PO Box 1778
Rawlins, WY 82301
307-328-2099
rawlinsmainstreet@rawlins-wyoming.com | www.rawlinsmainstreet.org
Rawlins DDA/Main Street is dedicated to restoring and revitalizing our historic downtown business district through Design, Organization Promotion and Economic Restructuring. A healthy and bustling downtown enhances the quality of life for our residents and visitors alike. In our changing times we strive to preserve the beautiful quality of the past and embrace the convenience of the future. If you have any questions about our community, are planning to open a business, move to town or are just passing through we'd be happy to assist you in any way we can.
Click here to see our ad.

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