Kemmerer | USA Wyoming

Kemmerer is an incorporated city and the seat of Lincoln County, situated in the Hams Fork River Valley at an elevation of 2,118 m. Defined by its dual identity as the birthplace of the J.C. Penney retail empire and a global paleontological treasure, it is currently the center of a major energy transition as the site for the first Natrium advanced nuclear reactor.

Historical Timeline

Inhabited by the Shoshone people. Founded in 1897 by Patrick Quealy and Mahlon Kemmerer as an "independent town," distinct from the surrounding "company towns" owned by coal mines. A critical historical event occurred in 1902 when James Cash Penney opened the "Golden Rule Store," the foundation of the J.C. Penney company. In 1923, the Frontier No. 1 Mine explosion killed 99 men, the second-worst mining disaster in Wyoming history. In 2026, the city is transitioning from coal-fired power at the Naughton Plant to TerraPower’s advanced nuclear station, a project backed by Bill Gates.

Demographics & Population

The 2026 population is approximately 2,790. The demographics are White (92%), Hispanic or Latino (5.5%), and Two or more races (4.6%). The economy is driven by Energy Production, Coal Mining, Government Services, and Fossil Tourism. The median household income is approximately $74,400.

Urban Layout & Key Districts

Kemmerer is tightly connected to its neighboring town, Diamondville, effectively forming a single urban area.

The Herschler Triangle (Downtown): The historic commercial heart; home to the "Mother Store" and preserved early-20th-century brick architecture.

Fossil Basin: The surrounding high-desert landscape containing the world-renowned Green River Formation fossil beds.

The Energy Corridor: Located south of town, housing the retiring Naughton Power Plant and the construction site for the TerraPower Natrium reactor.

Frontier: A historic district and former company town on the northern edge with a deep coal mining heritage.

Top City Landmarks

J.C. Penney Mother Store & Museum: The original site where James Cash Penney launched his retail chain; still operates as a functioning store today.

Fossil Butte National Monument: (Located 24 km west); a 50-million-year-old dried lake bed containing some of the world's most perfectly preserved freshwater fish, plant, and reptile fossils.

Wyoming Dinosaur Center / Fossil Quarries: Several private commercial quarries nearby allow visitors to "dig their own" fossils for a fee.

J.C. Penney Home: The historic residence where J.C. Penney lived, now open for public tours.

Lake Viva Naughton: (Located 24 km north); a popular destination for trout fishing, boating, and camping.

Hams Fork River: A blue-ribbon trout stream that runs through the town.

Transportation Network

Movement is automotive-centric. Kemmerer is a major junction for US-30 and US-189. Public transit is non-existent. Kemmerer Municipal Airport (EMM) serves general aviation. The town remains a critical point on the Oregon Short Line Railroad (Union Pacific), though it lacks passenger service.

Safety & "Red Zones"

The general safety level is very high. Crime is negligible. Environmental hazards include intense winter blizzards, high-altitude exposure, and wildlife collisions on highways. Standard awareness is advised near active surface coal mines and the TerraPower construction site.

Digital & Financial Infrastructure

Internet speeds are high, with fiber-optic availability via Silver Star Communications. Mobile service is robust in the city but fails in the remote fossil basins. Card acceptance is universal. Wyoming has no state income tax. Lincoln County levies a 5% total sales tax.

Climate & Air Quality

Temperatures range from -15°C to -1°C in winter and 6°C to 27°C in summer. The high-altitude desert climate is dry and prone to extreme temperature swings. Air quality is pristine.

Culture & Social Norms

The standard tipping percentage is 20%. A "Sincere-Industrious" greeting is standard. Dress codes are "Industrial-Western" (ranch wear and mining high-visibility gear are common). The city is culturally defined by Pioneering Retail, Geological Discovery, and Nuclear Innovation.

Local Cost Index

1 Espresso: $4.25 (USD)

1 Standard Lunch: $15.50 (USD)

1 Fossil Dig (Half Day): $65.00–$100.00.

Nearby Day Trips

Cokeville Meadows National Wildlife Refuge: (40 km northwest; a premier bird-watching and wetland area).

Bear Lake State Park: (85 km west; often called the "Caribbean of the Rockies" for its turquoise water).

Fort Bridger State Historic Park: (85 km south; a major 19th-century military and fur-trading outpost).

Facts & Legends

Kemmerer is known as the "Fossil Fish Capital of the World." Historically, J.C. Penney required all his store managers to live by "The Golden Rule," which gave his first store its original name. A local legend involves "Teddy Bear Corner," a mysterious spot 35 minutes north of town where teddy bears have been piled on fence posts for decades with no official explanation. Another legend concerns the "Frontier Ghost," a spectral miner said to haunt the abandoned mine shafts near the northern edge of the city.