PIEDMONT WYOMING

NOTE:

It is not our intent to make this information available to the public to have it vandalized, It is our intent to bring this History to your home through the internet.

  It is important to remember that almost all of Piedmont and the surrounding area is private property. In Wyoming it is not a law to post private property. Landowners do not have to give any notice to trespassers. While this may seem unfair it is up to each individual to know where they are, and where they should be. The Guilds are wonderful people and are very willing to let people look around if they ask first. For those that want to go and visit they can access the Guilds at their website, www.guildranch.com. As you know too many people going anywhere without permission causes all to lose the ability to see and visit places with rich heritage. The Guilds have always been friendly to all who ask first and would answer questions about Piedmont or the surrounding country. Currently Earl Guild and his son Kelly run the ranch, these are great folks that have witnessed the destruction of Piedmont by some. They have also helped in restoring the kilns to keep the remaining kilns standing. If you would please let people know that it only takes a quick e-mail or phone call to get permission I know the Guilds would appreciate the thoughtfulness and this would help keep Piedmont available for everyone in the future. Just a side note there are other kilns over in Lesterville ? south of Evanston by Sulfur Creek Reservoir along the old railroad tracks. The Guilds are also in the phone book for those that want to call them.

 Lewis Byrne

Lewis (lewy) Byrne

unknown man,  Moses Byrne,  Capt James Brown

Peace Officers

James B Byrne

Flowing Well Location

Swimming Hole

Piedmont was formed around 1866 by Moses Byrne.It began as a contracted railroad camp site with about 20 tents. It stands about 20 miles west of Fort Bridger. When the railroad finally arrived in 1868 Piedmont became a wood and water refueling station for the helper engines (these engines would help the other engines pull the train up the steep grades).

In 1869 Moses Byrne built 5 charcoal kilns to supply charcoal to are smelters in Colorado and Utah. The railroad would transport the charcoal and it also used it for heating the engines. Local restaurants also bought the charcoal for cooking fuel. One of the kilns collapsed a long time ago, and another shortly after that. Its been said they collapsed because the morter was mixed wrong or maybe because Byrne used limestone, sandstone and red stone and because these stones each use a different kind of morter. Byrne finally got the mixture right and there are 3 still standing today in good condition.

Moses Byrne was born in Leftsich,England in January of 1822. He sailed to America aboard the ship Mayflower in 1854. After docking he then trekked to the Utah valley and arrived there in October of the same year. He met and married his first wife, Catherine Cordon in Utah. They moved to the Wyoming territory in 1861. Byrne ran many pony express stations one which is now called Point of rocks,Wyoming and he founded Muddy Creek. From there and with all of his experience he was given the contract to start Piedmont.

Moses Byrne 1867

Byrne Cemetery

Thomas Hinshaw 1875

Chicken House

Livery Stable

Grandma Guild , School , Sarah Shell

Grandma Guild

Section House & Barn

Section House

Warehouse

Horse Corral

Lookin Down Main Street

Lookin Down Main Northside

Sarah Shell

Inside Grandma Guilds

Inside Grandma Guilds #2

Storage

Walter Byrne Thines , Grandma Guild, Sarah Shell

Mudcreek Camp and Crossing

I would like to Thank Ried Brady and his son Sean Brady for all their Help with Piedmont Wyoming.