Smallest US Town Sold, Now a Coffee Hub

In the middle of nowhere on Highway 80 between New York and San Francisco sits a 9.9-acre patch of land with a gas station, a convenience store, a house, a cell tower—and now, big coffee plans. This is Buford, Wyoming: the smallest town in America, which last year sold at public auction for $900,000 to a Vietnamese entrepreneur.

Last April, 62-year-old Don Sammons, the town’s sole resident for decades, auctioned off the entire property. More than 100 media outlets worldwide covered the sale, drawing bidders from 46 countries. The winning bid of $900,000 came from 38-year-old Nguyen Dinh Pham, who flew in from Vietnam to close the deal.

What Makes Buford the Smallest Town in America?

Buford was founded in 1866 during the construction of the Transcontinental Railroad across Wyoming. Perched at 2,400 metres (7,874 feet) above sea level, it once served as a military outpost to guard the railway. At its peak around 1900, around 2,000 people lived here. But over the 20th century, the population dwindled. By 1980, only Vietnam War veteran Don Sammons, his wife, and son remained. They bought the town in 1992, and after his family left, Sammons became its sole resident for over 30 years.

How Did a Vietnamese Businessman Acquire the Town?

Last year’s auction was the first time the entire town had ever been sold. The event attracted global attention, with bidders participating both in person and online. Pham, who runs the coffee company PhinDeli in Vietnam, outbid others to secure the property. He has now partnered with Sammons—who has been named co-mayor and a trading partner—to relaunch the site as a coffee-focused destination. Sammons said Pham reminds him of his younger, ambitious self, and wished him success in realising his American Dream.

What’s the Plan for Buford Now?

Pham has officially renamed the town "Buford PhinDeli Town." His goal is to turn it into a hub for selling premium Vietnamese coffee to American consumers. PhinDeli already supplies American-branded coffee to multinationals in Vietnam, but the company now aims to introduce high-quality Vietnamese coffee brands to the U.S. market—several of which have never been sold there before. The convenience store on-site will offer free coffee samples to visitors, and the town will serve as a rest stop with fuel, snacks, and now, specialty coffee. Pham and Sammons see potential in attracting international travellers along this major highway corridor.

Frequently Asked Questions

Where is Buford, Wyoming?

Buford is located in southeastern Wyoming along Interstate 80, roughly halfway between New York and San Francisco. It sits at an elevation of 2,400 metres (7,874 feet) and covers just 9.9 acres.

How much was Buford sold for?

The town of Buford was sold at public auction for $900,000 in April 2023. The buyer was Vietnamese businessman Nguyen Dinh Pham.

Who was the previous owner of Buford?

Don Sammons was the sole resident of Buford for over 30 years. He purchased the town with his family in 1992, and became its only resident after they left. He sold the town in 2023 and has been named co-mayor.

What is PhinDeli?

PhinDeli is a Vietnamese coffee company founded by Nguyen Dinh Pham. It currently supplies U.S. coffee brands in Vietnam and is now working to introduce Vietnamese specialty coffee brands to the American market.

Will visitors be able to buy coffee in Buford?

Yes. The town’s convenience store will offer free coffee samples and sell Vietnamese coffee products. It will also function as a highway rest stop with fuel and snacks.

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