Atlantic City - South Pass City - Miners Delight In 1842, placer gold was discovered along the Sweetwater River southwest of Lander,
Wyoming. This discovery was
made along the old Emigrant Trail in the area now known as the Lewiston Mining District. During the summer of 1867, the placer gold was traced up Willow Creek to what subsequently became the Carissa lode near
South Pass City. This discovery led to a gold rush, and the
South Pass City-
Atlantic City and
Miners Delight mining districts were established. By 1869 as many as 2,000 people were reported living in the region, and in 1871, 12 stamp mills were operating; however, by 1872, South Pass City was nearly deserted, and by 1875,
the districts were essentially abandoned.
