June 25, 2012
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Aladdin
I have been back and forth between South Dakota, Wyoming and Colorado the last week or so, and one of my favorite stops is always Aladdin, WY. I have driven through and stopped at Aladdin countless times as it is the only “town” between South Dakota and my home town, Hulett, WY.
Aladdin has a population of 15. There is a Post Office/ General Store and a motel. I don’t think the motel gets much traffic outside of hunting season. That’s probably ok, I doubt anyone would live there to get rich.
I found this history blurb on the town and general store.
“ The Aladdin Store was built by Bill Robinson in 1896. It was first a saloon. Dan Hickey came to Aladdin in 1899 and left in 1919. Dan was the second manager of the railroad and of the Aladdin Store.
In the earliest years of the Wyoming and Missouri Valley Railroad, the train didn’t go all the way to the Aladdin Store. It stopped at the “Y” where the cars turned around. This was about 1/2 mile east of the store. In 1901-1902, the line was extended.
The coal land around and in Aladdin was surveyed April 13, 1882 – April 22, 1882. There had been 2000 tons of coal mined but none marketed. There were three companies claiming coal land in Township 54. The longest tunnel was 600 feet long, five feet wide and six feet high. You can still take an interpretive walk around this old Coal Tipple, just a mile from Aladdin General Store.”
The store, post office, and saloon.
The working gas pumps
The ladies room
The men’s room
When I walked into the store with my dad, the same lady was running the till that has been there since I was little, and she of course remembered me. She likes CO, pretty country, too many people. There’s a yuppy every time you turn around, she said.
Aladdin is on top of the Bear Lodge hills where my cousin just bought some land. There’s no cell reception obviously, but it has more to offer.
His front yard
The well in his front yard.
It is also about 25 miles from my home town, Hulett. Here is a picture of the Devil’s Tower outside of Hulett that was taken the morning I left. (Not by me, by the paper.)
No, that isn’t photo shopped. It’s really that magical.
I am returning next week to spend more time in WY and less in SD. I am lucky to live in a place I enjoy returning to.
Comments (74)
Does the door to the ladies’ room say ‘Open Sesame’?
@Shadowrunner81 - No it says Cowgirls, but that would be more appropriate!
What a cute little town! Devil’s Tower is also a vortex of energy, like Sedona.
@RighteousBruin - It’s amazing, isn’t it? How are you, Gary? I am going to have to swing by your site to see if you posted about the awesome hike!
That looks like a nice little town.
That is so cute. I’d love to visit.
Such a quiet little place
I’d definitely live there. Perfect place for an introvert like me 
I actually thought you were going to talk about the Disney movie “Aladdin” at first hehe
This is an elegant photo essay. I remember the old style tower gas pumps. There was a joke about aliens landing and mistaking the pumps for earthlings. Maybe you remember it.
How fun & that last pic is magical like said!
@TheTheologiansCafe - It’s a nice place to swing by! If you stay too long someone will ask you to help fix fence or feed the cattle!
@my0615 - It is cute, and now they even have a motel, so you could!
@xdeelynnx - Hehe, I should have put his picture up, too!
@we_deny_everything - I doubt I have heard it, people don’t like to joke about aliens around there since Close Encounters. They seem to sent having that association. Sometimes photos can tell the story much better than I can alone!
@Kris0logy - Thanks, it’s one of my favorite places!
@BoulderChristina - I posted about the Grand Canyon, several days ago.
I’ve been to Wyoming twice; it is beautiful. As for Aladdin, I don’t know if I have driven through it or not. I drove from Mt Rushmore to Denver, I’m thinking I did not go through Aladdin though judging by the location on the map and the route from the Badlands.
I can visualize peace descending every minute of every day on that town.
The picture of the sky and the stars made me gasp out loud, and I heard myself say, ‘oh my God!’ I got goosebumps looking at it. What amazing grace and benevolence in one picture! I am glad you scanned it from the paper and let us see the beauty of that bit of sky and earth.
Thank you.
@heckels - It’s about 20 miles off the interstate, it is hard to get there if you aren’t trying to!
@ZSA_MD - Grace and benevolence, perfect description! It gives me goosebumps every time I return and every time I see it again. It is like visiting your all knowing, all loving grandmother, in a way. No place will ever replace it as home in my heart.
Wow, the photo of the sky is breath taking. I can only imagine what it would be like to see it in person. I get excited enough as is whenever I see pink in the sky or if the sky is just dazzling to me. Does it look like that every night?
@dreamerbreeze4 - Thank you, it is dazzling, isn’t it? No, it doesn’t. It is usually pretty clear and there are stars all over, but this is a particularly amazing morning. I hate that I was driving away when this was happening!
You’re welcome and it sure is. Do you usually see that many stars then? What a beauty to wake up to! Aw, you were so close to witnessing it. Hopefully you’ll get to see the sky like that sometime and get to enjoy it in person
@dreamerbreeze4 - Since there is no streetlights, store lights or smog, there are always stars in the sky there, unless it’s cloudy. I admire its majesty every time I return, even if I didn’t when I was growing up!
Cute! There are several tiny towns like that around here–barely hanging on now that the railroad is gone and the gas are gone.
That sky is truly incredible. I’m glad you appreciated it all and shared it with us!
That is absolutely beautiful. It’s easy to take things for granted but it’s nice when we wake up and appreciate the beauty that surrounds us every day. We don’t even have to lift a finger! Nature is simply there. It’s also soothing to lay down by the water on a dock, and stare up into the night sky.
that’s awesome, reminds me of a town where I student taught. There was just a church, school, junkyard, and general store and the store still had hitching post for horses
wow. what a neat place! I love little towns like this. gems in out of the way places.
I need to go spend time in Wyoming.
so that photo was taken just the other day? neat.
@plantinthewindow - It’s an amazing place, John, you would love it!
@godfatherofgreenbay - Right? And I bet everyone knew who you were and what you were up to!
@lanney - Yeah, the only ones that can stay are the ones that are retired or has other means of independent incomes. I sometimes think it’s sad, but if everyone moved there it would lose its charm, so I am torn. And thank you!
What a cute little town — almost the same as Harmony, a small town that’s lost its reason for being but continues to hang on ~ ~ ~ I was wondering if that was the Close Encounters rock ~ ~ A great post!
Charming. Also wonderful view.
Looks and sounds incredibly peaceful. A place to go to get away from the world for a while, and let your mind relax <3
they had a fine! birch beer
mmm I was so pleased *devil’s tower) I liked the huckleberry chocolate. 
love the pic of The Devil’s Tower. the stars are breathtaking. if i went to Aladdin i’d rub every lamp i saw. i’m sure every idiot does that when they go there. beautiful photos.
Devils’ Tower is awesome! Anyone who has the chance, should go there.
I wish I could get a picture like that last one. Freakin’ amazing!
Small towns are the best, unless the people are terribly closed minded which usually isn’t the case, you’re able to spend some time with the few residents and I find that they really resonate with you. It’s something in the air.
what magic and fun. population 15. mormon families are bigger than that.
anyway, i hope you’re having a great summer so far
“I am lucky to live in a place I enjoy returning to.” <—- the best line in the whole blog!!
population:15 that cracks me up. but in a sweet way. i think i’d love to have roots in a cozy place.
Gotta love Wy. That’s where my Twin lives and most of my family has lived out there at some point in the past. It’s a lovely state and I think I could enjoy it’s rustic peacefulness and quiet. Hmmm… wonder if Aladdin would welcome a wacky redhead in their midst? What a thought… *smile…
GREAT pics!!!
Nice to see you in these hallways, MzBC… It’s been much too long… Enjoy your relax time…
wow that night sky is magical!!!
@slmret - Thank you! When I saw your post about Harmony that is just what I thought, that I love towns like this! I am going to try to get over to your page today or tomorrow to catch up on your travels.
@SlackerSociety - Hehe, thanks!
@crazy2love - It’s so strange how the rest of the world slips away in a place like that!
@starmanjones - Did you go to the Trading Post? My aunt and uncle have owned it as long as I can remember, and where I held my first job (that had a paycheck) at the ice cream fountain for 3.35 an hour!
@TheSutraDude - Haha, they rub the antler horns! (I guess you just have to made due without a lamp to rub!)
@whyzat - I agree, and buy elevator tickets to the top! (Just kidding)
@Lithium98 - Me too! Isn’t it cool? It was in the paper, the Gillette paper I think.
@specialxplaces - It is an entirely different feeling. I have found in communities like this that though they are definitely a small community and everyone knows everything, they are too busy fixing fence, moving cattle, shearing sheep to worry about nonsense like who is screwing who. The absolute best of both worlds.
@bonmots - Thank you, it has been great! How are you? I haven’t seen you lately, I need to check your site too. I am so behind here.
@buddy71 - Thanks! I am always happy to go home
@MzSilver - I think you would fit in as if you had been there all your life! You have to be a little bull headed, opinionated, and slightly loony to be happy that far from the real world, and I think we both qualify! Thank you, it’s been a busy summer but I can’t help but stop by Xanga to see how everyone is doing!
@promisesunshine - Haha, I think you would have much to write about if you spent a day or two out there!
@wyckdstorm - It’s the stuff that dreams are made of!
@BoulderChristina - I may have but please remember that I can not see well. this includes basic signage. I’m wholly at the mercy of other’s informationmore often than not- but it was a gift shop it had an ice cream parlor to it too. if this helps that’s my info
The night sky. Wow.
That’s fucking gorgeous.
hello interesting.cool post.
hello interesting.cool post.
I used to live in MT, now I live in Sd, but I think about moving west all the time. There is something about it that I can’t forget.
@rocketopossum - Well hello! I spent nearly 20 years in South Dakota after growing up in WY. I never quit missing home until I moved to CO. There’s something about the land that will always draw us back, I think. Where in SD are you?
@callmebabyangelcrazy8890 - Hello!
@breaking_expectations - Thank you, it is, isn’t it?
@starmanjones - That’s the place! Who knows, maybe I served you the ice cream!
Wow, really beautiful and interesting!
@ilikesourskittles - Thanks!
@BoulderChristina - I live in Madison now, but I lived in Sioux Falls for most of my life.
@rocketopossum - Wow, I spent my last 10 years in SF before I moved here a few years ago. I miss it!
@BoulderChristina - early april 2011
I think that placesyou past first real jobs 
not too far mind you (pathetic damage control)
NPR did a story today on how devastating the drought has been for the forests of Colorado. Has WY been similarly affected? Danger of wildfires brings a whole new element of danger to small towns like this.
<3 it. Gorgeous pic of the tower — I’d want to visit too
It’s really sad how people can’t see the stars anymore because of all the light pollution. Cities should just shut down the power grid some nights for like an hour just so people can see what has inspired so many human innovations.
This looks like a great place.