Rock Springs, city (1990 pop. 19,050), alt. c.6,270 ft (1,910
m), Sweetwater co., SW Wyo., on Bitter Creek; inc. 1888. It is a
cattle and sheep shipping point and the center of large natural
trona mines that produce soda ash. Oil and gas production,
electric-power distribution, a revived coal industry, food
processing, a chemical industry, and tourism are also important.
Rock Springs is the gateway to many recreational areas and
natural wonders, and an annual rodeo is held there. It was
settled around a trading post and stage station established on
the Overland Trail in the 1860s. The Columbia Electronic
Encyclopedia, 6th ed. Copyright © 2012, Columbia University
Press. All rights reserved. More on Rock Springs from Fact
Monster: See more Encyclopedia articles on: U.S. Political
Geography