The Hanna Story - Welcome to the Hanna History Website
This website was last updated: Saturday May 11, 2024
Created by Bob Leathers: August 1, 2010
-- 13 years and 9 months of sharing --
Created by Bob Leathers: August 1, 2010
-- 13 years and 9 months of sharing --
The purpose of this website is to help others connect to their past by collecting, preserving, and sharing historical information about Hanna, Wyoming. This website is dedicated to identifying and memorializing the men who worked and died in the Hanna Basin coal mines.
We invite you to explore how the town came to be and how it touched the lives of many.
We invite you to explore how the town came to be and how it touched the lives of many.
Contact information: Bob at HannaHistory1889@gmail.com
Bulletin Board
- This website is the retired then rebranded HannaBasinMuseum.com website. All rights reserved on both websites by Bob Leathers.
- The best way to locate information on this website is to use the search box and subject tabs at the top of this page.
- Comments and documented corrections to this website are welcome. Our goal is to honor the history of Hanna by providing detailed and accurate information. If you spot a possible error needing correction, even a typo, contact Bob at HannaHistory1889@gmail.com.
- Information, pictures or documents from our readers that are helpful in telling the Hanna story are welcome and encouraged. Contact Bob for details.
Something to Think About
- Don't regret growing older. It's a privilege denied to many. (Mark Twain)
- A wise man once said. "Be careful who you let on your ship, because some people will sink the whole ship just because they can't be the captain." (Unknown)
- To know what people really think, pay attention to what they do, rather than what they say. (Rene Descartes)
- Sit tall in the saddle. Hold your head up high. Keep your eyes fixed where the trail meets the sky and live like you ain't afraid to die. And don't be scared, just enjoy the ride. (Chris LeDoux)
- I am not a product of my circumstances. I am a product of my decisions. (Stephen Covey)
- Although no one can go back and make a brand new start, anyone can start from now and make a brand-new ending. (Carl Bard)
- Life's biggest tragedy is that we get old too soon and wise too late. (Benjamin Franklin)
- The time is always right to do what is right. ( Dr Martin Luther King Jr.)
- Life is like a cup of coffee. It's all in how you make it, or how you take it. (Unknown)
- Forever is composed of nows. (Emily Dickinson)
New or Updated on the Website
Notification of new or updated material on the website will appear in this space. Notifications will be listed for a limited amount of time. Check back for changes.
May 2024
May 8, 2024
- Updated: The South Country - Elk Mountain
May 4, 2024:
- New video: Hanna Basin Museum
May 2, 2024:
- Updated the 1950's: Schools
May 1, 2024:
- Updated: Union Pacific Coal Company's No. 1 Underground Mine at Hanna, Wyoming
April 2024
April 29, 2024:
April 29, 2024:
- Updated: Hanna Happenings
April 20, 2024:
- Updated - New Image: Old Carbon and Hanna on the Lincoln Highway
April 20, 2024:
April 20, 2024:
- Updated - New Image: Wyoming Gallery from Daryl Billings
April 17, 2024:
- New Images: Collection: Historical Images: Remembering the Hard Times and the Less Fortunate
April 2, 2024:
- New: Remembering: Ahola, William and Ida
April 2, 2024:
- Updated with new image - 1937: Old Carbon and Hanna on the Lincoln Highway
Hanna Basin Death and Burial Records - Alphabetical
If a person died in a Hanna Basin coal mine, a death record will be listed regardless of where he was buried.
Index
Source Code
(Inquest) Official Inquest Reports, (MIR) Mine Inspector Reports, (MM) Miner Monuments in Hanna,
(Headstone) cemetery headstone, (BL) Bob Leathers, (JB) John Baldwin
(NA) Nancy and Victor Anderson, (LK) Lynne Kuderko, (AR) Andy Ruskanen and (AO) Ayako Ohara,
(UPCCEM) Union Pacific Coal Company Employee's Magazine
(Inquest) Official Inquest Reports, (MIR) Mine Inspector Reports, (MM) Miner Monuments in Hanna,
(Headstone) cemetery headstone, (BL) Bob Leathers, (JB) John Baldwin
(NA) Nancy and Victor Anderson, (LK) Lynne Kuderko, (AR) Andy Ruskanen and (AO) Ayako Ohara,
(UPCCEM) Union Pacific Coal Company Employee's Magazine
The Hanna Basin includes the towns of Hanna and Elmo, which still exist, along with the coal camps of Carbon, Dana and Sampo, which are now ghost towns.
More at: Men Injured in the Hanna Mines
Hanna Monuments
Looking for a deceased veteran or coal miner? Check the names on the Hanna monuments.
- 1940's and 2023: Unknown Miner Monument and Grave Headstones in the Hanna Cemetery
Favorite Images from the Past for May, 2024
Hanna Decoration / Memorial Day
1912 Decoration Day: the United Mine Workers paraded from the Finn Hall (upper left) in No. 2 Town headed to the Union Pacific Coal Company's No. 1 Mine to honor the men who died in the 1903 and 1908 explosions. The No. 3 in the pictures label below refers to the picture order, not the town number.
- More at: Hanna Decoration / Memorial Day
5
Old Carbon
Spring Flowers - Old Carbon Cemetery
5
Schools
Fund raising committee for the Hanna High School Band trip to California.
- More at: Schools
5
Hanna / Elmo
Hanna is located in the Hanna Basin in Carbon County, Wyoming. The Hanna Basin includes the Wyoming towns of Hanna and Elmo, which still exist, and the coal camps of Carbon, Sampo and Dana, which are now ghost towns - along with active cemeteries at Hanna and Carbon. The coal camp of Carbon came first in 1868. When the coal ran out at Carbon, the citizens moved, over time, to the new coal fields developed at Hanna in 1889. The town of Carbon is now referred to as Old Carbon by the local citizens.
The Hanna Basin coal mines produced over 220 million tons of coal. The coal however, came at a tremendous human cost. A staggering 372 coal miners were killed in the Hanna Basin mines while in the process of mining the coal.
The Hanna Basin mines produced coal for 144 years. Coal production started at Carbon in 1868 and ended in Carbon in 1902, which amounted to 35 years of continuous production. Hanna started coal production in 1890 and ended in 2012, for 122 continuous years of production. The two coal camps overlapped production for 13 years, from 1890 to 1902.
This website is dedicated to identifying and memorializing the men who worked and died in the Hanna Basin coal mines. In the later years a small number of women worked in and around the mines, but none perished in them.
The Hanna Basin coal mines produced over 220 million tons of coal. The coal however, came at a tremendous human cost. A staggering 372 coal miners were killed in the Hanna Basin mines while in the process of mining the coal.
The Hanna Basin mines produced coal for 144 years. Coal production started at Carbon in 1868 and ended in Carbon in 1902, which amounted to 35 years of continuous production. Hanna started coal production in 1890 and ended in 2012, for 122 continuous years of production. The two coal camps overlapped production for 13 years, from 1890 to 1902.
This website is dedicated to identifying and memorializing the men who worked and died in the Hanna Basin coal mines. In the later years a small number of women worked in and around the mines, but none perished in them.
More at: Hanna / Elmo
New
Hanna Mine Explosion Monument on Hanna No. 1 Hill - September 22, 2023
A new project funded by the Leathers Family
April 23, 2024: The American flag once again flies over the Hanna Mine Explosion Monument on Hanna Hill thanks to long time Hanna resident Gene Buckingdorf.
September 22, 2023
Jan. Feb. March, April, May 2024
New
Unknown Miner Monument and Headstone Restoration at the Hanna Cemetery
A new project funded by the Union Pacific Railroad Foundation, the Town of Hanna and the Leathers Family
- More at: 1940's and 2023: Unknown Miner Monument and Grave Headstones in the Hanna Cemetery
Jan. Feb. March, April, May 2024
Union Pacific Coal Company Employee Magazines
The Union Pacific Coal Company Employes' Magazines are full of information - including a Hanna monthly news section - along with information from other towns in the Union Pacific Coal Company network of towns and mines. Many of the coal miner deaths and injuries are reported in the magazines. The magazines are available online at the link below. They are a great source of information about what was going on with Hanna families at the time when the Union Pacific Coal Company was operating in Hanna, Wyoming.
In January, 1924, the Employes' Magazine of The Union Pacific Coal Company and its subsidiary, the Washington Union Coal Company, was launched as a medium of good will and understanding, with the further hope that as the years passed, much of the life and color of the pioneer days might be put into print and thus saved. With this end in mind stories and sketches, together with many old photographs, were assembled and re-produced, and it is this material, together with certain widely scattered and fragmentary records, as well as many interviews with the men and women who lived and worked in and about the mines in the early days, that served as the foundation of this little history. (History of the Union Pacific Mines. 1868-1940)
The Employes' Magazine is a monthly publication devoted to the interests of the employees of the Union Pacific Coal Company and Washington Union Coal Company and their families. It will contain items of current news, personal notes about employees and their families, together with articles dealing with the coal mining industry, the personal safety of the men engaged in mining a first consideration. (Atlanta E. Hecker, Editor)
The People
Many of the wonderful people associated with the early history of Old Carbon and Hanna have passed away. Over time - friends, relatives and the media - have shared remembrances of them. This website is dedicated to all the wonderful people that were at some point in time a part of the Hanna Basin - may they always be remembered. Thank you to all the folks that have contributed to this effort.
- More at: The People
The Union Pacific Railroad
The main line of the Union Pacific Railroad ran through old Carbon and then Hanna.
- More at: Union Pacific Railroad
The Coal Miner
The primary employment in the Hanna Basin was coal mining. The area includes the active towns of Hanna and Elmo, along with the ghost towns of Carbon, Dana and Sampo. Forty-three documented mining companies, working over 50 individual mines, produced an estimated 220,032,841 tons of coal while operating in the Hanna Basin between 1868 and 2012. During the same period of time, 372 men were killed producing the coal. The coal mining section of this website provides details about all the mines and all the men that died in them.
- More at: The Coal Miner.
The Gallery
The Gallery on this website is home to some truly magnificent images of the Hanna Basin. Such as:
The pictures in this section of the website from around the world are truly amazing. They provided us with some new and important details about the history of the Hanna Basin.
- Collection: Elmer Larson - Hanna Carpenter 1889-1912: (The Butvier Collection from Sally Hafdell and David Eriksson in Sweden)
- Collection: McNulty Family Photo Collection Albert Film - Hanna Basin Adventurer
- Collection: Arthur and Ida Allen [nee Alanne] Collection - Hanna and Elmo Finish Family and Business Owners
- Collection: O. G. Sharrer Family Photo Collection
- Collection: Gert Milliken's Photo Collection of Children, Women, Men, and Families in Hanna
The pictures in this section of the website from around the world are truly amazing. They provided us with some new and important details about the history of the Hanna Basin.
- More at: The Gallery
The Notebook
This section of the website is full of interesting history, such as:
- The Parrott and Burris Gang
- The Outlaw Rattlesnake Pete
- Train Robber - Wild Bill Carlisle
- The Great Blizzard of 1949
- Wyoming Cowboys
- More at: The Notebook
The Hanna Miner - A Slideshow
Slideshow by Bob Leathers
Music by The O'Neill Brothers Group - Instrumental Country Guitar: Coal Miner's Daughter
Music by The O'Neill Brothers Group - Instrumental Country Guitar: Coal Miner's Daughter
Available only at HannaHistory.com
Wyoming Museums
There are some amazing museums in Wyoming. Check them out.
Hanna Basin Museum - Hanna, Wyoming
- A small, but nice museum located on Front Street in Hanna. No entry fee required - donations were acceptable. Picture taking was allowed – no restrictions. The staff was knowledgeable, courteous and helpful. A collection of artifacts was offered that represented and explained the area’s history, which centered around the town and coal mining. The exhibits were interesting and well-presented. Recommended.
Medicine Bow Museum - Medicine Bow, Wyoming
- Another small, but nice museum located on the Lincoln Highway. No entry fee was required - donations were acceptable. Picture taking was allowed – no restrictions. The staff was knowledgeable, courteous and helpful. A collection of artifacts was offered that represented and explained the area’s history, which centered around the railroad and agriculture. The exhibits were interesting and well-presented. Recommended.
Rock Springs Historical Museum - Rock Springs, Wyoming
- An excellent medium size museum. No entry fee was required, but donations were acceptable. Picture taking inside the museum was not allowed, but the rule was under review. The staff was knowledgeable, courteous and helpful. A large collection of artifacts was offered that represented and explained the area’s history which centered around coal mining. The exhibits were interesting and well-presented. Recommended.
National Museum of Military Vehicles - Dubois, Wyoming
- A world class museum. A very large museum that literally takes days to cover. A nominal entry fee is required. Tours are available or you make go on your own. Picture taking is allowed. The staff is very knowledgeable and helpful. It is a national museum. By far the largest in Wyoming. Highly recommended.
Pioneer Memorial Museum - Douglas, Wyoming
- An excellent medium size museum. No entry fee was required, but donations were acceptable. Picture taking was allowed – no restrictions. The staff was knowledgeable, courteous and helpful. A solid collection of artifacts was offered that represented and explained the area’s history which centered around agriculture and western living. The exhibits were interesting and well-presented. Recommended.
Jim Gatchell Memorial Museum - Buffalo, Wyoming
- The Jim Gatchell Memorial Museum is an excellent medium size American West museum in Buffalo, Wyoming, housed in a 1909 Carnegie Library building. Opened in 1909. A Blue Star Museum, which means they are connected to the National Endowment of the Arts. Entry fee required. No photos allowed. Great staff. Highly recommend.
Fremont County Pioneer Museum - Lander, Wyoming
- The Fremont County Pioneer Museum is an excellent larger size museum. No entry fee was required, but donations were acceptable. Pictures were allowed – no restrictions except for one small section of Indian art work. The staff was knowledgeable, courteous and helpful. A solid collection of artifacts was offered that represented and explained the area’s history which centered around agriculture and western living. The exhibits were interesting and well-presented. It had a large section of outside buildings and exhibits. Highly recommend. .
Hot Springs County Museum - Thermopolis, Wyoming
- The Hot Springs County Museum is a very good medium size museum. There is a modest entry fee and donations are accepted. The museum features Pioneer and Outlaw history with the main attraction being the Hole in the Wall Gang. It has excellent displays of Native American artifacts, military and railroad history along with local businesses and schools. Recommended.
The Rockpile Museum - Gillette, Wyoming
- The Rockpile is a nice medium size local history museum in Gillette, Wyoming. The museum had on display fossils, Native American items, weapons and many local artifacts. A good, medium size museum. An entry fee was required. Picture taking was allowed – no restrictions. The staff was knowledgeable, courteous and helpful. A collection of artifacts was offered that represented and explained the area’s history, which centered around coal mining and agriculture. The exhibits were varied, interesting and well-presented. Recommended.
Douglas Railroad Interpretive Museum at Locomotive Park - Douglas, Wyoming
- A small, but nice outdoor museum centered on the railroad. The indoor museum was not open at the time of our visit. Recommended.
This is a developing list. Check back for updates.
Wyoming Sights - Life after Coal Mining
Website Guidelines
- All rights are reserved on this website. Individuals wishing to use documents or images from this website must first receive written permission - contact Bob at HannaHistory1889@gmail.com
- Our goal is to honor the history of Hanna by providing detailed and accurate information.
- We welcome comments and documented corrections to the content on this website.
- We also welcome any pictures, documents or information from our readers that might be helpful in our telling the Hanna story.
- Sources all over the world send information, documents and images to this website for its use. If you think you are the copyright owner and believe this website has not properly attributed your work to you or has used it without permission, please contact us. We welcome the reporting of any possible copyright infringements. Every effort will be made to correct all copyright conflicts that may arise.