Inside South Pass City’s 1898 Smith-Sherlock Store

April 13, 2018

Weathered cornice of South Pass City's Smith-Sherlock Store.

Photo: Library of Congress

Front facade of South Pass City's Smith-Sherlock Store.

Photo: Library of Congress

Weathered facade of South Pass City's Smith-Sherlock Store.

Photo: Library of Congress

Detail of store window of South Pass City's Smith-Sherlock Store.

Photo: Library of Congress

Pot bellied stove inside South Pass City's Smith-Sherlock Store.

Photo: Library of Congress

Victorian shop counter & display cases inside South Pass City's Smith-Sherlock Store.

Photo: Library of Congress

Victorian shop interior at South Pass City's Smith-Sherlock Store.

Photo: Library of Congress

Exterior view of South Pass City's Smith-Sherlock Store.

Photo: Library of Congress

In 1839 a group of eighteen men set out from Peoria, Illinois determined to find the best land route to the Oregon Territory. They rode under the banner, Oregon Or The Grave & the nine that finally reached the Oregon Territory divulged their route to would be settlers back east. The “Oregon Trail” was born. Soon, along the arduous (and often deadly) trail supply outposts were established. South Pass City, Wyoming was one such outpost. Located near a wealth of mineral resources it both supplied settlers & extracted vital resources for industry back east. For a time South Pass city boomed & with it the local mercantile, the Smith-Sherlock store. A simple facade tacked onto a log & lath structure, it sold usual provisions & provided a place to gather news of the road ahead.

Inevitably, faster means of western transit were created & mineral wealth dried up. By the late 1940’s South Pass City was a ghost town. Fortunately, in 1966 the State of Wyoming purchased the abandoned town, restored it & opened the entire site to the public. Once a hive of activity, the 1898 Smith-Sherlock Store in South Pass City is now a museum. Favorite bits? That cash register! Also, that old fashioned pot bellied stove!