A moment ago you saw me in Utah and suddenly now I am in Wyoming how could that be??
A little background, I was on this trip to run a half marathon in SLC and also climb the highest point of Utah: King’s Peak located in the High Uintas range of the Rocky Mountains. In order to get there, you have to drive North into Wyoming and then South again into Utah.
That wasn’t such a bad proposal for me, in fact I saw this as an opportunity to explore a new town and here we are in Evanston, WY
The town itself was founded upon the arrival of the Union Pacific railroad in 1868. The town was named after James Evans, a railroad surveyor who assessed the eastern half of the railroad’s route through the Wyoming Territory.
Below is Evanston’s Union Pacific Depot built in 1900 thanks to the steady flow of passenger train traffic across Wyoming and the rest of the west. It is now used as a community space for public meetings and a venue for weddings and other events.
Below you have the roundhouse which opened in 1913 as a locomotive facility until 1927 when it was turned over repair and manufacturing facility. Today it has also become a public gathering space. Sensing a pattern here? at least it is a better outcome than condos where historic sites become private spaces.
Back into downtown, we look at the Uinta County Complex. It went into 3 phases of development before it started looking like it does today. It started out as a jail before it became the courthouse that it is today.
Looking at the buildings you will notice that Evanston is not devoid of international flavor, you see below Mexican and Chinese restaurants alongside a VFW post.
In the center of town one cannot help but notice this huge train mural by traveling artist Ryan Christenson (known as ARCY). Rumour has it the artist hides mickey mouse ears within his art, see if you can find it (if you give up, scroll to the bottom of this post to find the answer). Right behind it you see a fading Blyth and Fargo sign which used to be a chain of department stores. Now houses professional offices.
Peeking at an adjacent building you could see and ad saying “After Every Meal Wrigley’s PK”. Obviously this is for the beloved chewing gum manufacturer.
Then from another angle, advertisements for Levi “Copper Riveted” overalls and Spur cigarettes.
Across the street you see a building with sign “Wyoming Times Job Printing” and next to it a masonic temple:
One more ghost sign of Hatten Realty Co that did real estate and insurance.
Here you have the Strand Theater. It opened in 1918 for showings of silent films and vaudeville acts.
So I was there to grab dinner and decided upon an unassuming spot called Suds Bros Brewery
On the inside it looked like a saloon and they play live folk music. They brew their own beer and selections included porter and amber ale, I was thrilled!! Their dinner course was pleasing too, I ordered the below:
Next morning I decided to go for brunch and hit up this colorful diner named Jody’s Diner.
Fully refueled I kept on my way and eventually hit the town of Fort Bridger
Now why did it sound familiar? Recalling the Oregon Trail or the Donner Party story, it was an important rest and re-supply spot for emigrants bound to Utah, California and Oregon. It was named after Jim Bridger a mountain man whom the statue below represents. There had been conflicts between Bridger and Brigham Young (1st governor of territory of Utah) like sale of ammunition and liquor to the Indians in addition to stirring up the Indians to raid Mormon towns.
Jim Bridger’s trading post you see below is not the actual site but reconstruction by the military that took over this land by 1858. In 1933 the property was dedicated as a Wyoming Historical Landmark and Museum.
Answer to location of the Mickey Mouse ears in the train mural:
