Slovenski Dom Hall - 521 Bridger Ave

Looking across Bridger Avenue, you can see the Slovenski Dom social hall built by Slavic immigrants in 1913. In addition the annual grape and harvest festivals, the facility was used by other ethnic societies in Rock Springs. Immigrants representing nearly 60 different nationalities came here to work in the mines. Some came for the high wages and safe working conditions. Others were brought here by the Union Pacific to avert threatened strikes. Rock Springs is said to have been featured in “Ripley’s Believe It or Not” as having more nationalities than any other place in the world. The town was known as a “Heinz 57 Varieties” community. In the 1920’s, the first International Night was held at the Slovenski Dom.

The closing ceremony involved costumed participants from each nationality lighting their neighbor’s candle and repeating in their native language, “As light begets light, so love begets love the world around.”

A highlight of community parades from 1894 to 1907 was the 70-foot long Chinese dragon made of green brocade silk, interwoven with threads of gold. Fifty Chinese costumed in yellow silk pantaloons performed a stylized dance step as they carried the dragon. Chinese men in ancient costumes carried spears, swords, and axes. Firecrackers, exploding bombs, and men beating gongs were scattered throughout the procession.

Turn left at the corner and walk down Soulsby Street. Cross Elias Avenue and enter Bunning Park.