Rambler History
Rambler is the oldest mining settlement in the Encampment district, but the period prior to the 1897 mining excitement in the area is poorly documented. The town was located adjacent to the Doane-Rambler mine which was producing as early as 1895. At what date a settlement first appeared here is difficult to determine, but some sources show photos here as early as 1896.
Rambler had its best years after the mining rush to the area following the Redufeha discovery in 1897. The town had a post office from 1900 to 1910
Rambler Described in 1903
The September 11, 1903 edition of the Grand Encampment Herald described the settlement of Rambler. The following text is from that article.
Rambler, Wyo., Nestled in Embrace of Mighty Mountains. Camp Active and People Are Happy.
Rambler as a town and camp has taken quite a boom since the resuming of work at the old Doane Rambler mine, the successful operation of which inspired the building of the little city and the prospecting of the adjacent country. Rambler, with a small number of buildings numbering perhaps fifty, occupies a picturesque site just east of the mine, two miles westward from the summit of the great Continental Divide where the waters from mighty banks of snow are separated for destinations in opposite directions, to the Atlantic and to the Pacific. The main range of the Sierra Madre mountains encloses the little city on the east, north and south, while westward toward the valley of the Snake there is a gentle slope for miles and miles beyond.
Lily Lake, which during the summer yields an abundance of water lilies of peculiar variety, and Battle Lake, the larger, from which the Battle Lake mining district has taken its name, lie a few rods apart upon the south of the town, adding a charm to the scenic effect of the Rambler basin, which from the big Divide affords a very fascinating bit of mountain scenery summer or winter.
Rambler is a frontier town in location only. It has never been blessed with many of the leading characteristics of western mining camps. Among the lack of things may be noted the absence of professional men of every line except the gaming fraternity which is represented everywhere. Rambler has never had a resident physician, attorney, undertaker, preacher, or marshal. There has never been a lawsuit in the town, neither has the populace been called together to listen to a sermon or a stump speech. Nobody has been shot dead in Rambler-a remarkable record-although cases of dead shot have been reported.
There is but one saloon in Rambler to quench the thirst of about 175 people and the many who reside in the adjoining hills. Fletcher & Niece are the proprietors. One large general merchandise store, owned by S. H. Porter and Aaron Slothhower, is sufficient to supply the demands of the camp. A $5,000 stock of goods is carried and is handled under the management of Mr. M. F. Cannon.
There are two hotels, the Seamens House and the Scott House. The former is owned and operated by Mr. and Mrs. M. E. Seamens, and the latter by Mrs. W. E. Scott. Both hotels are two-story buildings and give patrons the best of accomodations.
S. H. Porter is postmaster. Mail is received every day except Sunday from the outside world via Grand Encampment and Battle Lake, and also from Dillon and Rudefeha. Daily stages east and west between Dillon and Grand Encampment stop in Rambler during the noon hour.
There are no empty houses in Rambler. One or two dilapidated shacks, not fit for occupancy, are all that remain unoccupied, while some building is in progress. Two dwelling houses are now in course of construction.
Aaron Slothower Was There Before the Town
Aaron Slothower is the oldest resident of Rambler in point of continuous residence. He came there in 1897 from Albany county, Wyo., and has been prominently identified with the growth of the camp from its beginning. When he arrived upon the ground where Rambler now is, there was no town at all and Doane's deepest workings in the Rambler were but fifty feet below the tunnel level. Mr. Slothower says that the camp never has been as promising as it is at present.
Thanks to Jay Harman for contributing materials for this article. Aaron Slothower, founder of Rambler, was Jay's great uncle.
Grand Encampment: A Wyoming Copper District
The Encampment district is notable for the sixteen-mile-long aerial tram that linked the mill and smelter at the town of Encampment with the Ferris-Haggarty mine. At the time it was completed in 1902 it was the longest aerial tramway in the world. This article examines the history and mining towns of this Wyoming copper district. Continue reading... (members only content)
