In 1868, Rock Springs was established as one of the many camps along the transcontinental railroad. Because of the high quality coal in Rock Springs, the Union Pacific Railroad opened coal mines there in 1869.

In November 1875, the coal miners in Rock Springs, Wyoming went on strike and union officials made the decision to hire Chinese to work in the mines.

On Tuesday, September 1, 1885, there was an error made in the assignment of rooms in No. 6 coal mine. The following morning, a fight ensued between the Chinese and white miners.

That evening, a mob of sixty or seventy white men marched into Chinatown. A total of twenty-eight Chinese were killed, approximately 15 wounded, and the Chinatown was burned to the ground.