Risky Business: The Ghost Town of Kirwin - Main Street, Wyoming
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- Опубліковано 21 сер 2024
- The story of Kirwin, an abandoned mining camp deep in Wyoming's Absoroka Mountains and the risk takers involved in its history. From early explorers, outlaws and hard rock miners, to arctic adventurers and Amelia Earhart; this remote location drew a remarkable cast of characters. Today, its natural beauty and rich past continue.
When i was 12 years old, my older sister got a job working as a horse packer in the wind river mountains of Wyoming. She mailed the money for a plane ticket back to upstate NY where we were from, and a few days later mom was putting me on a United airlines 747 at JFK airport bound for Casper Wyoming. By the end of that summer i knew i was born to live the cowboy life. At 16 i dropped out of school and ran away from home. My sense of direction was a little off, cuz my first attempt at hitchhiking across the Country found me in Corinth Mississippi. Soon enough though, mom realized i wasn't gonna give up...and she bought a small horse ranch in western Montana in the Bitterroot Valley. Mom's gone ten years now...but i'm still here in the valley.
Lucky You.
Bless you glad nothing happen to you .
You mean bound for Denver then bound for Casper! I did the same from oneonta!
Any advice for somebody that wants to run away and disappear into the wilderness today?
This is a wonderful story!!!! I’m so happy for you pursuing your dream!!!!
Loved this video! I live in the area, and I knew Jim and Rich Dunrud. Sadly, Jim passed away a couple of years ago. He was a very friendly and soft spoken man. One time in about 2012, on the road to, Kirwin, I met up with Jim and he had slid off the road in his truck and was stuck! 5 minutes and a cable got him free and clear! I remember him telling me the stories about George Putnam and Amelia Earhart.
Thanks to all who keep the west alive . I applaud all those who put together this video and the families and pioneers that made this country great . Without a doubt this is one of the best stories I’ve ever heard or seen and someday I hope to come and see that part our great country.
Wyoming was one of the states I had on my list for retirement (after being in the Navy with a man from Torrington). Then my motorcycle accident and my broken bones with rods and screws couldn't stand the cold. Bummer. This video is superb, experiencing places I would never get to visit for real.
You are not the only ones who mourn the loss of Amelia Earhart. I was not yet 2YO when she was lost but I recognize the value of her desire and what she was able to achieve by July 1937. RIP Amelia.
I use to live about 15 miles from Torrington on the Nebraska side. Also know what you mean about not being able to handle cold after a broken back mine was broken in 2017 and have difficulty with the cold and I’m only 30 so spend most my time in the southern us but have family in Wyoming,Nebraska and South Dakota.
Very sorry to kinow that but sympathy is never enough.
Women are birthers care givers nurturers and home stables. With women out of the house doing what men do is exactly why everything is out of control men are no longer men because of it.
Been through Cheyenne many times, Wind blows all the time, but they're are really good folks there and there's such Earth Art in WY.
Cowboy Country for sure. The Real Deal.
Hope you get there for a visit. Only a couple hours drive time from Denver Airport.
@@brianmitchell8422
I've driven from Denver to Scottsbluff, NE, through Cheyenne, likely was on a familiar highway.
The hardiness of those people is utterly amazing. It puts all of us to shame.
Yes they were.
Well said.
Puts you too shame maybe, please don't speak for everyone
Gee...maybe that's because the HAD to?? Like they had a choice??
We do. And I choose indoor plumbing....
@Jared Manuel oh, can you do any solo long distance flying just using the stars at night to navigate by?
That’s a historic place and it’s so sad to see it’s falling into disrepair. Places like that should be repaired and preserved for generations to come.
It will last longer than are country probably. Was just there this summer and if a wildfire don't get it it will last the rest of this century
I've been there, the reason it's falling behind on repairs is because it's still at the mercy of nature. Floods and avalanches are still a big problem, it's no wonder the people up and left, dealing with devastating avalanches 2 or 3 times every winter isn't worth it
Boy, i sure do miss this certain type of Nostalgic documentaries. Simply something of the past how they did it! Even tough to look back at how long ago the 90s & Early-2000s were. My childhood. The new films are completely a different breed than of those back then the Films like these will never die. Thanks!
Kyle, I was born in 1982 so my years growing up were late 80s-early 2000s. I feel the same way, there was something informative and peaceful about the old style pbs documentaries that I watched as a kid. I remember being 8 years old and watching Ken Burns The Civil War when it debuted in 1990. I loved the simple black and white photos and someone narrating over it. No video, just amazing pictures that told incredible stories. Nowadays people either don’t care or have so many sources for entertainment that these types of programs have died. I would take a pbs documentary over tik tok video any day.
What a wonderful glimpse into history. Really incredible example of human ability and potential. I grew up in a small ranching town in Colorado, and we frequently visited Wyoming. Ive been living on the east coast for 15 years and when I heard "western hospitality" it really hit me. There is still a hospitality you'll only get out west. It made me miss the old cowboys that used to tell stories, and teach us such valuable lessons. Great documentary!
This was a very interesting review of Kirwin WY and the people that were there. History and historical sites should always be preserved so that others can look back and appreciate what others have accomplished to have a better understanding as to where we came from and the struggles conquered to get here. Thanks for the look back.
Get from where to here? We have been sinking into communism from there. That is why they don't teach "there" anymore.
Great documentary... a History to be cherished... and is by beautiful people.
The part of Amelia’s loss brought, as always, tears to my eyes... Since the first day I saw her picture, I fell in love with her... a beautiful strong independent woman that was working for the betterment of our society.
As a Brit, I do envy you your amazing wide open spaces. A wonderful programme of connections that I enjoyed immensely. Many thanks.
Maybe you could come over and visit for several months .
We would be happy for that
America is very big and lots to
See even most Americans haven’t seen much cause they just don’t travel
Wyoming is the least populated state, even though it’s one of the biggest. It is a great place to live, I’ve lived there my whole life
It's crazy in colorado which is more populated I've driven for a hundred miles and not seen another person. I've hiked in the woods and not seen people in a week.
As an italian I have the same feeling
And I enjoy the history of Britain with its castles and stories of Knights
I'm really impressed with the quality of the documentary's uploaded here, far, far better than the utter rubbish that the History and Discovery channels etc churn out these days. Nicely shot and narrated, no stupid out of place music and most importantly I actually learn something from this sort of content. Who on earth wants to pay to watch staged reality shows when excellent programs like this are available free of charge.
Kit Simmonds. Well said. Totally agree with you Kit
Agree🙂❤
you are lucky americans to have a country with such a beautiful landscape of such a great plain and mountain I envy you
PBS, paid for by the people, I love it!
This is PBS; Public Broadcasting System. Supported by USA citizens, without political affiliations and buy-outs. Free, for historic information of the American Experience. The "rubbish" you refer to can be good, if accurate and true, but if you support PBS with your donations, you will escape biased information and programming. For the truth...as accurate as possible. Every community in US has PBS programming. America's History lives in PBS programs!
Whom ever made this video for Wyoming PBS did a wonderful job. It helped explain several question I had about the short mining boom in Grand County Colorado in the early1880s. Thank you Wyoming PBS.
Excellent documentary and will help secure history of this area a while longer. Hard working Americans who came before us sure lived a tough, rugged existence.
Really well documented film about this remote place. And it seems although life was hard back then ...it was also worthwhile. The beauty of Kirwin and the area is outstanding! But it seems to have won out... even after so many struggled to make it there. Although lots of ordinary everyday people tried to make a life there, and due to it,s remoteness, it had this connection with two very famous people....Many thanks for this footage, really informative.
incredible story and history. These town are all over the west but the history is long forgotten. Thanks for saving this one.
Ty
Norway
Loved the story. It is such a precious documentary of the area. I had heard that Amila Earhart was living or going to Live in Wyoming, now I know the rest of the story.
Subscribed! This, without a doubt, is one of the best documentaries of this era I have ever seen! I adore those pictures that guy took….so beautiful. I’ve always been fascinated by this life. A new follower from Tasmania, Australia. Keep up the excellent work.
Rob
WOW, very interesting and intertwined stories. I’ve driven across Wyoming a few times in my life but never thought about it’s history to any great degree, that’s changed now. Thank you so much for producing and sharing this video.
This is a terrific video by Wyoming PBS about a beautiful area of the country. Thank you Wyoming PBS!
I was a flier for 40 years and vacations for the last 8 years were spent in a off grid cottage in the Cambrian Mountains of Wales. Excellent video.
I like that Trevor. How's off grid in Wales? I'm in Vancouver Canada, but will be going off grid up north soon.
Wyoming PBS has some of the best video's on UA-cam, thanks
I have been in there. I had wore the ground a good deal crawling out of the hole and dragging out so many things. So I fixed that as good as I could from the outside by scattering dust on the place, which covered up the smoothness and the sawdust. Then I fixed the piece of log back into its place, and put two rocks under it and one against it to hold it there, for it was bent up at that place and didn’t quite touch ground. If you stood four or five foot away and didn’t know it was sawed, you wouldn’t never notice it; and besides, this was the back of the cabin, and it warn’t likely anybody would go fooling around there.
Enjoyed watching and learning. Give me some America West history. I have a picture of my grandparents waiting for cattle to pass on a Wyoming highway from the early 70s during one of their cross country trips from their home in Wilmington, Delaware. Their travels helped to continue my love of culture and history, culminating in a M.A. in history.
This is a marvelous video, Thanks so much. Wyoming is so beautiful. The history is rich, and the information about Amelia was amazing. I remember those Dude ranches that everyone wanted to go to.Also remember the furniture, it was made to last. I'd like to live there in that area. Beautiful country!
The best information you get is exactly what you got. I don't care the topic, I could sit and talk to (no disrespect) Old Timers all day long. I was lucky, I was close to my Papa I was in my early forties when he passed. He could ramble on about the old days as we sat hullin peas. I sure miss him.
Awesome film! Who would have thought that Amelia Earhart would have such ties to Wyoming? I learned a lot watching. Thank you.
Bravo..
Yes very interesting about Ms. Eirhart
I was always fascinated with Amelia Earhart
I would have thought. It's well known. It's on the maps.
tough, tenacious, savvy, inventive - these people have my utmost respect and admiration. have we squandered this inheritance?
This was very informative and entertaining. I love Wyoming, a place like nowhere else.
Just today I discovered your channel on UA-cam. I subscribed. I love PBS programs. I began watching OPB as a native Portland Oregonian. The first video on your channel was about the Historical events of Kirwin, Wyoming. It was a double learning experience for me, regarding Kirwin and Amelia Earhart! I want to thank everyone involved in creating this heart warming video! In May of 1995 I drove from LaGrande, Oregon to Texas. We traveled through the southern region of Wyoming, fascinated by the Rolling waves, it's beauty and the remote feelings I was left with. I'll never forget the off roadside market we stopped at. The sun was setting, and bats were flying about just above us. That experience embedded an ever lasting pleasurable memory in my heart and soul. So did this video.
I too grew up watching PBS from our television on a small farm in SW WA.
thanks for posting! this was a great collection of stories revolving around the Double Dee ranch, including Amelia Earhart and her last journey at about 45:00
What an amazing adventure this video has been. Thank you 😊
Hard to believe these old building are still standing after all this time
They have ben restored for history you can tell but alot of it is original pretty net to sea right
I watch these old videos, even videos as late as from the 80’s and it’s self evident that things were better.
There is plenty of amazing content on You-tube, but you have to find it first. Prospecting for You-tube gold.
I'm a UA-cam prospector myself.
What are you interested in?
things were infinatly better , there were no cameras everywhere, no cell phones, police went after criminals not motorists, there were no drugs or twerking.
Tom Hill, There are also channels with old westerns; I love the channel 'Forgotten Westerns' that shows many westerns that I've never heard of - great content, no ads!!
@@NOT_SURE.. no drugs i would disagree remember a little thing called Cocaine? I pretty much agree with you otherwise, however there was the cold war that was pretty scary at times. Music was better because there was no autotune. Alot more people smoked and they even did it in enclosed public places . The news actually reported the news without all the political commentary. AIDS was running around
I do and do not miss it, things seemed slower.
Agree with wkh51's comment. Been associated with WY since 1961 adventure at Teton Valley Ranch Camp in Kelly, WY which experienced all sorts of natural disaster and bold history of Jim Bridger. The "native" men and women are adventurers and risk takers beyond description. Thank you Wyoming PBS.
I grew up in Billings and traveled extensively through Montana and Wyoming but I had never heard of this place. What a delight to find this video!
Thanks to the people who put this interesting historical film together.
I enjoyed it.
A great piece of history with awesome photographs. Thanks for the upload, PBS!
Been threw Wyoming would love to live there ! The sky is so clear, at night it seems like u can touch the sky . The sky is really black at night . The people out there r really laid back . Beautiful country !
My aunt loved living there... her son swore he was the late 1900s butch Cassidy but a bigger scumbag... actually she was too...
Wouldnt mind living there now
@@dawnbreak3299 let's sell out n move there ? I'm Not over the hill yet ! Love riding horses and really enjoy the outdoors . I don't have any horses now, but I'm changing that soon as this cabin fever lock down/up is over . American Patriot ! Cowboy Baby ! 🏇💃🔥
A truly wonderful tribute and amazing look at bygone days that should never be forgotten! What a life lived by those pioneers . . .
I lived in Sheridan Wyoming for awhile my husband was on an oil crew from Texas looking for oil. I lived next door to Wild Bills home a big mansion turned museum i believe. It was nice but rather isolated for a city girl like me. But i enjoyed seeing Wyoming seemed the last frontier more so than Alaska were i lived also. I was about 19 or 20 in Wyoming.
Believe you're referring to the Kendrick mansion.
Carol! You can write! So, write some more,won't you?
It's pretty wild how all these different charismatic people from all over the country seemed to link up. Great documentary!
Wonderful overview of this amazing place and the peoples who were drawn to it. Thanks for sharing!
Great job Wyoming PBS. Enjoy your shows so much!
Absolutely wonderful. By far, the best thing i have seen on UA-cam.
The best?? Come on
I have to share this with my family we’re from Greybull Wyoming. Fantastic video taught me a lot. Thank you for sharing.
We're do u live now? Ive lived all over America from Alska to Florida n Key west to California Wyoming. Oregon Texas now Washington. As well as Europe.
Just visited New York that was enough for me. Born in Portland Maine.
@@carolberwindscheffler2708 oh you were born in Maine?Thats cool my step mom is from Bangor originally ..she talks of fond memories living in Maine w all the snow.I am a born n raised Floridian however I’m very cultured due to my fathers side of the family being military .Hope you’re doing well be blessed
Love it!!’ Thank you for the First Nation perspectives.
First nation?
@@cantweallplaynice3912 Native Americans.
listening this in Cambridge UK, its so well remembered and said, must congratulate all historians thank you :-)
I watched this a few months ago and enjoyed it so much that I subscribed to your channel. It rotated into my recommended videos again this morning. It was a pleasure to watch again.
I have enjoyed many of your videos. Thanks for your uploads.
I lived a year in Gillette Wyoming & that was enough for me! Beautiful state, nice to visit!
I was in Sheridan for about that long.
Need to check out Our ing Life here on UA-cam
What made you leave? The weather? The lack of big city amenities?
Fantastic, informative, and down right interesting history!
Well done video, narrative, and quality thank you, PBS, and the people of Wyoming for such and incredible videos.
Marvelous wonderful country. Served a mission in rock springs someways my heart remains there
Fantastic to learn about this story 😃💞 and to see all of this.. Buildings and everything 😃🙌 thank you very much! And very well presented documentary 💖🙂👏👏👏
This was a very nice video, I only wish I could have lived throughout those years.
Hats off to the men and women that restorex and lived that time.
I got to say I didn't really want to watch this video but I'm glad I did. Well made
History is fascinating THANKS for the video
Fascinating @ SO VERY heartwrenching if your heart stands w the real 1st True Americans....100's of yrs. w running, bloodshed, turmoil, deceit @ endless lying from the govt. Thank Creator these First Nations ppl. R STILL Are Standing
What a beautiful place! Thank you for this lovely presentation!
Yhank you for a Great film about Wyoming's History ! Good Job.I would love to visit !
I love hearing about Wyoming’s history . It was my favorite subject in school
I lived there for 3 years coming from California. The wind and the cold were too much for me. There were really great things about Wyoming, very few people, very few fences. It's a hunter's paradise and fishing is great too, but during those long winters with nothing to do, sitting in a nice warm bar seems to make sense...unfortunately it usually ends up in bad.. A great place to visit....to work, not so good.
Terrific historical account of times past. Give credit to all those who had the interest and wherewithal to bring this film into the light. I enjoyed all of it.
I live in Alaska, and love Wyoming PBS. The classic furniture of the frontier could be a show on its own!
We did a program a few years ago on the "Molesworth" style of furniture, which was heavily influenced by frontier styles. ua-cam.com/video/3V4ZHtDoBJk/v-deo.html
I have been to Kirwin...awesome place...thanks for all the history, great job
Well done film! Music was appropo as well. I never knew any of this sort of history of the "west," & am glad I learned. Thank you very much for this presentation.
As usual I really enjoyed the stories and I listen every chance I get.
Great video and history. Love the old photos.❤
Great video. Very interesting and informative. Thank you for posting.
I would love to spend some time here, what a breathtaking view an amazing part of history. I would definitely bring a telescope, I can only imagine how beautiful the sky is at night!
I go there all the time to explore and hike! Is a magnificent place!
The sky is what convinced me to move to Wyoming years ago. More stars than you can imagine.
I love historical stories thanks for this
I realy love this story ! love America !
Ya and some if the people in our government now want to change everything that makes America America and take all of the good out of the people that make it a great country wish we could just dial back the clock sometimes
It's a beautiful country
At work right now, but want to watch this tonight at home. Sounds like a fascinating piece of history on a small mining community that unfortunately died with the industry as so many did back then.
I am so glad for this video. It's nice to see my Wyoming beauty again. Loved the Earhart part and the restoration efforts. Thank you.
Awesome story. Plain and simple.
Fantastic and inspiring... if my Mom was still alive she’d love it as much as I do. Thanks so much!
Wow, this was wonderfully Informative.
Thank you for this
That's was great history documentary .
I appreciate you for sharing with me.
Awesome history and video. as a caged bird i would love to experience scenery like that. Thank you for sharing this documentary with us :)
What a great and informative video. Wyoming is easy to fall in love with!!
Very interesting. Informative speakers and good narration.
Fantastic documentary. I'd love to go spend a month there...roughing it. Remoteness 🤠
No commenting on youtube for 30 days :)
thank you PBS Wyoming for a very interesting show of your history of your state i love history
Me and my wife want to move to Wyoming in 5 years love the country
Although Wyoming is as big as some countries, it is a state.
@Lord Wise I’m sure SheerWill knows that. He is using country in the sense that they like the mountains and prairies there, not in the political sense that’s Wyoming is a country.
brilliant, well worth the time watching
Makes me homesick for Wyoming, and for youth. I'm far too old for that now, but we knew ... oh yes, we knew ... the love and adventure of a younger land!
Or perhaps, the adventure of love in a younger land?
Anyhoot, it's been a good run. I just wish there was more of it. And when I see youth today, I just hope they know ... how good it can be.
I grew up south of you; your neighbor from Colorado. Mountains are a young man’s game.
Hung up my skies a decade and a half ago.
That was really interesting and very enjoyable to watch. I learned a lot that I didn't know that part of the world and a lot that I didn't know about Amelia as well. Thanks for sharing it here!!
PBS well done.
50 feet of snow! Mercy! That's an Ocean of Snow! The poor critters too.
💛 Amelia Earhart, truly sad, I'm pleased they finally resolved what happened. Hope her husband found Peace with her loss.
I believe we each choose our Life Journey Purpose and particular Life Moments. Holding this belief give greater fortitude, and optimism, it helps to understand and reapect our "self".
Best Thoughts ...
Wow what a storm !!! We had a storm of the century here in Nova Scotia Canada 1994 . Ìt was call Juan the blizzard lasted for 3 days . My front door was completely covered in ice and snow . Cars were stuck on our street and the snow was that high it almost covered the stop signs. It took almost 2 weeks to clear it all up . Power in some places was out for 2 weeks. Thus after everything that was said and done they called it White Juan .
3 days??? In lil' ol' England, we had snow for four MONTHS in 1963, I woz there, started 30th December, last of the snow melted of our back lawn 5th May., plenty of days off school!
I only got to spend a little time in Wyoming , then traveling from Rock Springs across 80 to Nebraska, fell in love with this beautiful state and the people I met, as I get older I still dream like a young man of see all of the state again 🙋🏻♂️
Fascinating. PBS is always an excellent watch
In my youth, I lived in many tar-papered shotgun cabins here in Idaho. I got homesick watching this LOL...
What a great video of a place I have seen first hand. So much history there and this video really brings out that other side of the history you just don't know...Thank you for posting this!
Imagine being able to say: Amelia Earhart bought tires for my Dads truck back in the day.
I was just through Mateesee last month if I would have known this was here would have loved to drive to it but not sure if the rental would have made it. Glad I watched this video just randomly popped up.
I too happened on this video researching Bronco Nell. I have watched it twice today.
I also Stumbled upon this.
WHAT A GEM ! 🤠🖖
Living in an Arizona mining ghost town was a boyhood dream cone true
Absolutely fasinating history and characters!Superb production👍
I would like to get that water driven pump for electricity working again. What a great documentary on American history and no politics involved, just people living life.
I would love to help, as a amature machinists I have enough skills. but the "cold" yikes
@@chuckthebull that's the largest "Pelton" style cup wheel I've ever seen. Probably by todays' standards not that efficient, but they had lighting!
@@thedwightguy as soon as i saw that i wondered how they got it there?
I was seven years old when our family met Karl at the courthouse in Jackson hole , he immediately invited us to his home . For many years he sent us a magazine subscription.
Great documentary thanks too the internet.THANX.
What a wonderful story. Thanks for your beautiful filmmaking .
I lived on a ranch 26 miles east of Kelly wy which is just north of Jackson hole in the winter it was snowmobile to the ranch on the grovante river elk mule deer prong horn black bear coyotes mountain lion wolves very remote we had about 75 horses loved it I was a licensed guide
Marvelous absolutely
What a great show ,people in there quest for exploration and there will to overcome is amazing.
💚💚💚💚💪💪💪💪🤙🤙🤙🤙