Wild Bill Carlisle was one of the last of the Old West train robbers—and he had a surprising soft spot. Known for his daring heists on the Union Pacific Railroad in the early 1900s, Carlisle often made off with bags of cash... but was also known to hand money back to passengers who looked down on their luck. After one of his famous escapes, he was recaptured near Rock Springs. His time here marks one of the final chapters in the era of Western outlaws—and makes him a memorable part of Rock Springs' wild and storied past.

Tom Horn was a feared gunslinger, scout, and hired gun whose name still sends a shiver through the history books. Known for his work as a Pinkerton detective and range enforcer, Horn was tangled up in Wyoming's bloody range wars. Though most of his deeds played out near Cheyenne and Iron Mountain, Horn passed through Rock Springs more than once while working the rail lines and tracking rustlers. He was known to stop in town, laying low or gathering information before heading back out onto the high plains. Whether hero or villain, Horn left behind a trail of legends—and Rock Springs saw its fair share of his shadow.

Josie Bassett wasn’t your typical ranch gal—she rubbed elbows with outlaws like Butch Cassidy and the Sundance Kid, ranched on her own terms, and defied the expectations of her time. Born into a well-known ranching family near Browns Park, just south of Rock Springs, Josie spent time in and around Sweetwater County. She was known to travel through Rock Springs for supplies and news—and maybe to keep tabs on the law. With a pistol on her hip and a reputation as tough as Wyoming itself, Josie Bassett remains one of the boldest women of the Wild West.

Calamity Jane—the sharpshootin’, hard-ridin’, whiskey-drinkin’ legend of the Wild West—was known from Deadwood to Dodge, and yes, even Rock Springs. While her most famous days were spent in the Black Hills, local lore says she spent a spell living in a tent along the banks of Bitter Creek, right here in Rock Springs. She followed the Union Pacific Railroad west, picking up odd jobs, caring for the sick, and stirring up stories that blurred the line between fact and legend. Whether outdrinking cowboys or spinning tales in the saloons, Calamity Jane left her mark on Rock Springs just like she did across the frontier.

Matt Rash was a tough-as-nails cattleman and one of the early ranchers in the Red Desert region near Rock Springs. Known for standing his ground during Wyoming’s bloody range wars, Rash refused to bow to the powerful cattle barons who tried to run small ranchers off the land. He was part of a group labeled “rustlers” by big ranching interests—though many, like Rash, were simply trying to make an honest living. His defiance came at a cost: Rash was murdered in his cabin in 1900, likely by hired gunmen. His story is a haunting reminder of the lawless days on the open range, and his legacy still echoes across Sweetwater County.

Ann Bassett, often called the “Queen of the Cattle Rustlers,” was every bit as bold and fearless as her sister Josie. Raised near Browns Park, not far from Rock Springs, Ann knew how to ride, rope, and run a ranch by the time most kids were learning their letters. She was a close friend—and rumored sweetheart—of Butch Cassidy, and she didn’t shy away from standing up to the powerful cattle barons who tried to control the open range. Ann was known to pass through Rock Springs, gathering supplies and trading stories, and her reputation as a strong-willed woman of the West made her a legend in these parts. Tougher than leather and twice as sharp, Ann Bassett helped shape the outlaw legacy of Sweetwater County.

Isom Dart was a skilled cowboy, horseman, and former rodeo performer who made his mark in the rugged lands around Rock Springs and Browns Park. Born into slavery, Dart built a new life out West, where he became one of the region’s best-known Black ranchers. Though accused of rustling—like many small-time ranchers of the era—Dart was respected for his honesty and horsemanship. He often passed through Rock Springs for supplies and work, and his presence in Sweetwater County is part of the rich, diverse history of the West. Sadly, his life was cut short in 1900 when he was killed by a hired gun, a victim of the range wars that tore through Wyoming. His story still rides strong in local legend.

Butch Cassidy—leader of the infamous Wild Bunch—was one of the most legendary outlaws to ever ride the trails of the American West. Born Robert LeRoy Parker, he was known for robbing banks and trains… and for having a surprisingly charming way about him. Cassidy had strong ties to the area around Rock Springs and often passed through town while laying low between heists. He was close with the Bassett sisters, Josie and Ann, who ranched just south of here and gave shelter to outlaws like Cassidy and the Sundance Kid. Whether plotting a robbery or enjoying a quiet meal, Butch knew his way around Rock Springs—and left behind stories that still echo through these streets.