EVANSTON — About 45 people participated in a rally in front of the historic abandoned Wyoming State Hospital buildings on Monday, Oct. 9. Participants met at the Walmart parking lot beginning at 5 p.m. and then carpooled up to the site beginning at 6 p.m. Other people continued to join the crowd in front of the old buildings on Hwy 150.

Holding signs that said, “SAVE OUR HISTORY,” “This Place Matters” and “Save The Old Wyoming State Hospital,” the participants lined up on the sidewalk in front of the old buildings and all the way back to the entrance to the old site. They waved at people driving by, who honked their horns in support.

The rally was organized by the Evanston Historic Preservation Commission (EHPC) and supported by the “Save the WSH” Facebook group, along with state Rep. Jon Conrad (R-Lyman) and Evanston City Councilmember Jen Hegeman. Organizers were interviewed in the Walmart parking lot by Jenna Bree from FOX 13 Utah, who filmed the rally at the site where she also interviewed participants.

The organizers of the rally said they were surprised how many people in Evanston are unaware of the fate the state has planned for the buildings, which are on the National Historic Register.

EHPC chair Jim Davis said, “Education is the key, that is why we organized this rally to make people aware of the state’s plans for this piece of our history.”

Conrad is in the process of securing letters of support from the city council, county commission and the Uinta County Economic Development Commission. The letters will be sent to the State Buildings Commission asking they delay the demolition of the buildings, which has been scheduled for July 2024, and move the date to July 2025, to give private investors an opportunity to review and study possibilities for rehabilitation of the buildings.

Joe Westerman with JMW Properties, has already invested financially in the community by purchasing the Blyth & Fargo building, the old Eliza Doolittle building (also formerly Scoop) and the building once inhabited by Michael’s, which will open as Queen City Saloon in the future.

Westerman’s proposal for rehabilitation and development of the historic State Hospital buildings was halted when the Legislature agreed to set aside millions of dollars to demolish the buildings, and Westerman said an appointment he’d set with Gov. Mark Gordon was canceled.

As Conrad explained in a meeting with the city council, “If any state buildings or land is to be sold, it has to be open for a bidding process. If we can get interest in the buildings started, who knows what can happen with them? We need housing in Uinta County, a trade school and more places of employment. The state needs to recognize that Uinta County is the gateway to the state; we are not the back door.”

Members of the Facebook group “Save the WSH” have distributed signs that are now displayed at many downtown businesses encouraging people to sign the petition.

“The historic Wyoming State Hospital, a landmark that holds decades of stories and significance, is facing the threat of demolition,” a press release issued by JMW properties states. “Local advocates and community members are coming together to raise awareness and rally support for the repurposing of the old WSH for community development and housing. This will include desperately needed housing for seniors and veterans.

“The Wyoming State Hospital, with its storied past in mental health care, has provided vital services to countless individuals and families over the years. The architectural beauty and historical value of the facility stand as a testament to the state’s journey in the field of mental health treatment,” the release continues. “Recognizing the importance of safeguarding this heritage, concerned citizens and preservation enthusiasts are launching a campaign to save the old Wyoming State Hospital from demolition. The goal is to repurpose the facility into a living museum, and community center, as well as repurposing it for much-needed housing.”

Wyoming Department of Health spokesperson Kim Deti said it’s important for the public to know any decisions about the older buildings on campus are not just WDH decisions.

“This is a broader state issue that involves elected officials and policymakers and other state agencies,” she told the Herald. “At our department, we appreciate the role the Wyoming State Hospital has played in the community over the years. We know people are used to seeing the historic buildings on the hill. At the same time, we are very proud of what has been accomplished with the reconstruction and modernization efforts at the hospital the last few years to help us better serve some of Wyoming’s most vulnerable residents.”

Deti emphasized that razing the old buildings has been the plan for some time.

“Discussions with the Healthcare Facilities Task Force have always included intent to address campus abatement and demolition,” she said. “This isn’t something new. Going to back to at least 2017, there have been numerous meetings with local stakeholders and community members about potential future plans for the campus once our major reconstruction project was completed.”

Deti also said any other suggestions of what to do with the old buildings haven’t had legs to stand on.

“While various individuals and groups have mentioned ideas, it is our understanding there has never been a truly concrete and viable plan or proposal presented to state officials,” she said. “The Wyoming State Hospital is a state facility on state land. If there were to be a firm plan to repurpose and develop this land, with or without the currently unused buildings, there are some distinct legal processes that would be required.”