Travel Reference
In-Depth Information
a significant oil boom in the late 1960s, coal extraction in the area was boosted by the 1970
Clean Air Act, which mandated cleaner-burning low-sulfur coal, most of which is produced
in the West. The Thunder Basin mine opened in 1978, producing 6 million tons of coal that
year, and by 1993 was producing upward of 34 million tons annually, the largest amount
from any mine in the world at that time. Because the seams are closer to the surface, mines
in the Powder River Basin quickly outproduced mines in the southern part of the state. Cur-
rently, the city is in the throes of a coal-bed methane boom, which is again increasing the
population with modern-day prospectors working as miners and drillers.
This is a working and rapidly growing town with all sorts of growing pains related to
coal, oil, and gas extraction. While it certainly has the infrastructure for people traveling
through, Gillette is not typically on the top of the vacation radar. Still, it does make an excel-
lent launching point to some of northeast Wyoming's wide-open spaces, and with its enorm-
ous tax base, it has managed to develop some phenomenal recreational facilities, many of
which are free. The rapidly spreading Avenue of Arts on 4J Road, for example, is a walking
path lined with ever-changing sculptures. Visitors will learn quickly that community means
everything here—and Gillette residents are quick to point out that people come for the job,
stay for the money, then never leave because of the community.
Campbell County Rockpile Museum
The exhibits at the
Rockpile Museum
(900 W. 2nd St., 307/682-5723,
www.rockpilemuseum.com
,
9am-5pm Mon.-Sat., free) are focused on the local history of
Campbell County. The museum has accrued a wide array of artifacts and displays them cre-
atively. Visitors can see the inside of a general store, the tools and trade of an early medical
clinic, and a large rifle collection. An actual homestead cabin and tiny one-room school-
house have been moved to the grounds, and there is an impressive collection of wagons,
carriages, and even an old horse-drawn hearse. There are hands-on activities for children,
including a fun dress-up area with old-time garb. Since this is the heart of coal country,
watch the short film about coal excavation and distribution; the large-scale explosions are
sure to catch any viewers' attention.
CCSD Science Center
The
Campbell County School District's Science Center
(525 W. Lakeway Rd., 307/
686-3821,
www.ccsd.k12wy.us/adventuarium
, 9am-3:30pm. Tues.-Fri. June-Aug.,
8am-4pm Mon.-Thurs., 8am-2pm Fri. Sept.-May, free) is open to the public. Located in the
