The Aurora Daily Times newspaper was a short-lived but significant newspaper published in Aurora, Nevada, during the early 1860s, a period marked by the region’s silver mining boom. Aurora, located in what was then the Nevada Territory, was a bustling mining town, and the newspaper served as a vital source of local news, mining updates, and community information. This report explores the historical context, publication details, content, and legacy of the Aurora Daily Times, drawing on available archival information.
Historical Context
Aurora was founded in 1860 following the discovery of silver and gold in the Esmeralda Mining District. By 1863, the town had grown into a significant hub with thousands of residents, driven by the Comstock Lode and nearby mining activities. The Nevada Territory, established in 1861, was a region of rapid development, with newspapers playing a critical role in disseminating information about mining claims, politics, and social events. The Aurora Daily Times emerged during this dynamic period, catering to a community eager for news in a remote and rugged frontier.
Publication Details
The Aurora Daily Times was published daily, except Sundays, and operated under two distinct periods, as documented by the Library of Congress and other sources:
- First Run (1863–1864):
- Start Date: May 1, 1863
- End Date: Approximately April 1864
- Publisher: R.E. Draper
- Frequency: Daily (except Sundays)
- Description: This period is referenced in Library of Congress records, with the earliest known issue dated November 27, 1863 (Vol. 2, No. 135). The newspaper was published in Aurora, Nevada Territory, and served the local mining community.
- Second Run (1864):
- Start Date: July 1864
- End Date: November 7, 1864
- Publishers: G.O. Kies and R. Ferral
- Frequency: Daily (except Sundays)
- Description: This later run was a continuation or revival of the newspaper, with a known issue dated October 7, 1864 (Vol. 3, No. 9). It ceased publication with the November 7, 1864 issue.
The newspaper was printed in Aurora, Nevada Territory, and its issues are preserved on microfilm, available through Bay Microfilm. The Library of Congress notes that copies may be held by other libraries, accessible via the “Libraries That Have It” tab in their catalog.
Content and Role
As a daily newspaper in a mining town, the Aurora Daily Times likely covered a range of topics relevant to its readers, including:
- Mining News: Updates on local mining claims, discoveries, and production, which were central to Aurora’s economy.
- Local Events: Announcements of community gatherings, business openings, and social activities.
- Politics: Coverage of territorial politics, including debates over Nevada’s path to statehood (achieved in 1864).
- Advertisements: Promotions for local businesses, such as saloons, general stores, and assay offices.
- National and Regional News: Reports on broader events, including the Civil War and developments in the Nevada Territory.
Newspapers like the Aurora Daily Times were essential for fostering community identity and providing practical information in isolated mining towns. The Aurora Daily Times would have competed with other local papers, such as the Esmeralda Daily Union (1864–1865), and may have shared resources or readership with the Aurora Weekly Times, a related publication that succeeded it in 1864.
Archival Availability
The Aurora Daily Times is preserved in limited form, with specific issues available on microfilm. The Nevada State Library, Archives, and Public Records holds microfilm copies of issues from November 27 to December 12, 1863, and additional issues from July 11 and October 7, 1864. The University of Nevada, Las Vegas (UNLV) Libraries also list holdings for these dates, indicating their availability for research.
Researchers can access these microfilms at institutions like the Nevada State Library, which offers microfilm readers and the ability to save images to flash drives. Some historical Nevada newspapers, though not explicitly the Aurora Daily Times, are available through the Nevada State Library’s electronic newspaper databases or the Library of Congress’s Chronicling America project. However, the Aurora Daily Times is not currently digitized in Chronicling America’s online collection, limiting access to physical or microfilm copies.
Challenges and Limitations
The Aurora Daily Times faced challenges typical of frontier newspapers:
- Short Lifespan: Both runs of the newspaper were brief, likely due to financial instability, competition, or the decline of Aurora’s mining boom by the mid-1860s.
- Preservation Issues: Only a handful of issues survive, making comprehensive analysis difficult.
- Limited Digitization: Unlike some Nevada newspapers, the Aurora Daily Times is not fully digitized, restricting access for remote researchers.
Additionally, Aurora’s remote location and the transient nature of its population may have impacted the newspaper’s sustainability. By the late 1860s, Aurora’s prominence waned as mining activity shifted elsewhere, contributing to the newspaper’s demise.
Legacy
The Aurora Daily Times represents a snapshot of life in a Nevada mining town during the Civil War era. Its brief existence reflects the volatile nature of frontier journalism, where newspapers often emerged and folded with the fortunes of their communities. The newspaper’s surviving issues offer valuable insights for historians and genealogists studying Aurora’s history, the Esmeralda Mining District, and the broader Nevada Territory.
For genealogical research, the Aurora Daily Times is a potential source of obituaries, marriage announcements, and other personal records, though its limited run and lack of digitization pose challenges. Researchers are advised to consult microfilm collections at the Nevada State Library or UNLV Libraries and to cross-reference with other regional newspapers, such as the Reese River Reveille or Esmeralda Daily Union, for a fuller picture of the period.
Conclusion
The Aurora Daily Times newspaper was a product of Aurora, Nevada’s brief but vibrant mining boom in the early 1860s. Published in two short runs (1863–1864 and 1864), it served as a critical source of news and information for a frontier community. Despite its limited surviving issues and lack of digitization, the newspaper remains a valuable historical artifact, accessible through microfilm at select institutions. Its story underscores the challenges and significance of journalism in Nevada’s formative years, offering a window into the social, economic, and political life of a now-faded mining town.
Sources
- Library of Congress, Chronicling America: Aurora Daily Times (1863–1864).
- Nevada State Library, Archives, and Public Records: Newspapers, Periodicals, & Microfilm.
- UNLV University Libraries: Nevada Newspapers by Title.
- Nevada Historical Society and Destination4x4.com: Nevada Historical Newspapers.
- GenealogyBank: Aurora, Nevada Newspaper Archive.