The best way to locate information on this website is to use the search box and subject tabs at the top of this page.
The Hanna Story - Welcome to the Hanna History Website
This website was last updated: Friday July 26, 2024
Created by Bob Leathers: August 1, 2010
-- 13 years and 11 months of sharing --
Created by Bob Leathers: August 1, 2010
-- 13 years and 11 months of sharing --
The purpose of this website is to help others connect to their past by collecting, preserving, and sharing historical information about Old Carbon and 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 towns came to be and how they touched the lives of many.
We invite you to explore how the towns came to be and how they touched the lives of many.
Contact information: Bob at [email protected]
Days Gone By
Hanna Images from the Past
Early Hanna, Wyoming
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
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.
July 2024
July 17, 2024:
- New: 1877, October 27: Frank Leslie's Illustrated Newspaper Article About Laramie City, Rock Creek, Carbon and Fort Steele - Page by Daryl Billings
July 15, 2024:
July 5, 2024:
- Updated: Hanna Happenings
June 2024
June 30, 2024:
- Updated: Remembering: While, Joseph "Joe" "Cotton" and Helen
June 30, 2024:
- New and Updated: Sweetwater County Historical Museum - Green River, Wyoming - Home of the gun that killed lawmen Bob Widdowfield and Tip Vincent.
June 18, 2024:
- New: Museum of the Mountain Man - Pinedale, Wyoming
June 18, 2024
- New: Chris LeDoux Park - Kaycee, Wyoming
June 17, 2024:
- New: Remembering: Stilwill, Jill Robin and Cynthia While - Page by Dan Lupton
June 14, 2024:
- Updated. The Union Pacific Railroad arrived at Carbon, Wyoming. Coal was now needed in great quantities to run the steam engines up and down the track. The great coal rush was on.
June 10, 2024:
- Updated: Japanese In Hanna, Wyoming
June 6, 2024:
- New: Remembering Ward, John Henry - First Coal Miner killed in Hanna, Wyoming. Killed in the No. 1 mine - Buried in Rawlins, Wyoming. No Hanna cemetery at the time of death.
May 2024
May 31, 2024:
May 30, 2024
May 30, 2024
May 30, 2024
May 30, 2024
May 21, 2024
- Updated - New Image: 1895: Linden Hall - First Aid Hall - Library - Community Hall - Hanna Basin Museum
May 16, 2024:
- Updated - New Image: Wyoming Gallery from Daryl Billings New images from Daryl Billings
May 15, 2024:
- Updated with new image - 1937: Old Carbon and Hanna on the Lincoln Highway New images from Daryl Billings
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:
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 [email protected].
- 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)
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
Old Carbon Image from the Past
1877, October 27: Frank Leslie's Illustrated Newspaper Article
About Laramie City, Rock Creek, Carbon and Fort Steele
About Laramie City, Rock Creek, Carbon and Fort Steele
- More at: 1877, October 27: Frank Leslie's Illustrated Newspaper Article About Laramie City, Rock Creek, Carbon and Fort Steele
- More at: Carbon
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.
Chris LeDoux Park - Kaycee, Wyoming
- Chris LeDoux Park is a beautiful, well maintained park with a Memorial Statue to Chris LeDoux the famous Country and Western singer and Bronc Rider. Admission is free.
Museum of the Mountain Man - Pinedale, Wyoming
- The Museum of the Mountain Man is located in Pinedale, Wyoming. It is a wonderful museum dedicated to the history of the Rocky Mountain fur trade. There is a modest entry fee. Pictures are allowed.
Sweetwater County Historical Museum - Green River, Wyoming
- The Sweetwater County Historical Museum is located in Green River, Wyoming. It is a free admission museum. Pictures of exhibits are allowed. The museum is small, but the staff is knowledgeable and helpful.
The Wyoming State Penitentiary. 1901 - 1981 - Rawlins, Wyoming
- The Wyoming State Penitentiary is located in Rawlins Wyoming. It is a for pay museum that requires a tour. Pictures with no flash is allowed.
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 [email protected]
- 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.