In 1886, while Wyoming was still a territory, the legislature voted to construct a Territorial
Prison and chose a site outside of Rawlins. Poor funding slowed construction, and the prison
did not accept its first prisoner until thirteen years later. By that time, not only had Rawlins
grown to completely surround the prison, Wyoming had also become a state.

This oppressive, medieval-looking, stone building was Wyoming’s only state prison for eighty
years until a new, more modern, facility was built outside of Rawlins. The “Old Frontier
Prison”, as it is best known, was closed in 1981. Today the “Old Pen” houses not only the
Frontier Prison Museum, but also the Wyoming Peace Officers’ Museum, bringing the stories
of Wyoming’s best and worst together in one place. The prison is open for tours during the
summer months and it also hosts a special, reservation only, Halloween Night tour
(not recommended for children).

Another site to see in Rawlins is the Carbon County Museum, which offers a more overall look
at the people and places of the county’s past. The museum is located in the Old Mormon
Church, and has artifacts on display from as far back as the early Spanish explorers who visited
the area 400 years ago. By far the biggest site to see around Rawlins is known simply as
The Uplift. Not so simply known as a thrust-faulted anticline, this unique rock-feature is a
textbook example of stratigraphy, exposing the fossilized remains of countless species of
prehistoric plants and animals, as well as some very unique geology.

Golfers be sure to visit the Rochelle Ranch Public Golf Course. It opened in 2004 and offers
18 holes and a modern clubhouse. Rawlins, which is the county seat, lies on Interstate 80
and offers visitors a wide variety of restaurants and lodging.

Carbon County Museum
Rawlins Chamber of Commerce
City of Rawlins
Carbon County Government