These photographs are outtakes from my project “Sagebrush to Bitter Creek.” They’re from two trips to Rock Springs, Wyoming in July 2021 and February 2023.

Dudley Gardner, retired from Western Wyoming Community College, spent his career studying and excavating Chinatowns in Wyoming. He’s now passing some work to Archaeologist Laura Ng of Grinnell College in Iowa. I visited an Evanston excavation in June 2024 and documented Laura, Dudley and their crew excavating what they believe to be the laundry site.

A plate excavated at the Evanston Chinatown in a location archaeologists believe to be the laundry site in June 202.4

Co-Field Director Laura Ng examines the map at an Evanston excavation in June 2024.

Laura Ng of Grinnell College was the Co-Field Director for an Evanston excavation in June 2024.

A plate excavated at the Evanston Chinatown in a location archaeologists believe to be the laundry site in June 202.4

Dudley Gardner of Western Wyoming Community College was the Co-Field Director for an Evanston excavation in June 2024. He spent his career studying and excavating Wyoming Chinatowns.

The archaeologist crew works at the Evanston Chinatown excavation site in June 2024.

The archaeologists tools at the Evanston Chinatown in June 2024.

Inside the Joss House is a Chinatown map.

A plate excavated at the Evanston Chinatown in a location archaeologists believe to be the laundry site in June 202.4

The archaeologists tools at the Evanston Chinatown site in June 2024.

Laura Ng holds a piece of glass excavated at the Evanston Chinatown in a location archaeologists believe to be the laundry site in June 2024.

Co-Field Director Laura Ng and student archaeology volunteer George Matthes of Grinnell College sift through dirt for artifacts at an Evanston excavation in June 2024.

On the cemetary edge lies the simple grave of China Mary-a prominent figure in Evanston history.

An altar inside the Joss House in Evanston.