 Jeffrey City is a classic example of Wyoming's boom-and-bust mining economy. In 1982, when the uranium mine closed, Jeffrey City lost 95% of its inhabitants within three years. Jeffrey City was named for Dr. C.W. Jeffrey, a wealthy doctor from Rawlins, who initially financed the cost for the Western Nuclear Corporation mining firm to open a uranium mine in the area during the Cold War. Thousands of people looking for high-paying jobs streamed in to Jeffrey City and a town was born. At the height of the town's boom period, an extremely large high school was built that included an Olympic-sized swimming pool. In the late 1970s and early 1980s, the uranium market collapsed and the mine was forced to close. As was typical of many boom towns, Jeffrey City was singularly dependent on the local mine. What was once a thriving local community with shops, schools, library, sheriff, youth hostels, churches, and medical clinics became a ghost town. Jeffrey City is a skeleton of what it once was. The only businesses that remain are the First Baptist Church, a pottery shop, and the Split Rock Cafe that feeds a few local residents and pastor buys on the highway. From the University of Wyoming Extension, I'm Ashley Garles, Exploring the Nature of Wyoming. Thank you.