Category: Ghost Towns

Ghost towns in the Western United States are abandoned settlements, often remnants of 19th-century mining, ranching, or railroad booms. Once thriving with prospectors, merchants, and families, these towns, like Bodie, California, or Virginia City, Montana, were deserted when resources depleted or economic shifts occurred, particularly after the 1860s gold and silver rushes. Characterized by dilapidated buildings, saloons, and mine shafts, they dot deserts and mountains, preserved by arid climates. Today, they attract tourists and historians, offering haunting glimpses into the West’s frontier past, shaped by ambition and transience.

Stone’s Ferry, Nevada

Posted on by
Ghost towns of Clark County, Nevada
Ghost towns of Clark County, Nevada

Stone’s Ferry was a former settlement and Colorado River ferry crossing in Clark County, Nevada, established by members of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints (LDS Church, or Mormons). It served as a vital transportation link between Nevada and Arizona. The site shifted locations over time: initially near the mouth of the Virgin River, then approximately 6 miles downstream, and later 2 miles below the Virgin River mouth opposite Detrital Wash (its primary GNIS-recorded position from an 1875 survey at coordinates approximately 36°7′42″N 114°26′51″W). It lay opposite Detrital Valley, which offered an accessible route south from the Colorado River canyon into Arizona mining districts and north through the Virgin and Muddy Valleys toward Nevada and Utah. The ferry operated as both a commercial crossing and a barge landing in a remote desert-river environment.

Early History/Founding

The crossing originated informally in the late 1860s as Mormon colonists in the Muddy and Virgin River valleys (part of Pah-Ute County, Arizona Territory at the time) used boats left at the Virgin River mouth to cross the Colorado River. This connected their settlements to wagon roads leading south to Arizona mines (such as Chloride, Mineral Park, and Cerbat) and the Hardyville-Prescott Road. Brigham Young visited the area in 1870, but in 1870–1871 the colonists voted to abandon the settlements due to boundary disputes (the area was determined to be in Nevada) and high taxes imposed by Nevada authorities.

One colonist, Daniel Bonelli of St. Thomas, voted against abandonment and remained as the sole holdout. He moved his family to the site, acquired an existing ferry boat, and established a commercial ferry service known as Stone’s Ferry around 1871. The name’s origin is unclear; a 1875 Wheeler survey noted two early operators at the site, including James Thompson (who briefly held ferry rights) and possibly a settler named Stone. The ferry began operations about 6 miles downstream from the Virgin River mouth before being relocated upstream to a more favorable point opposite Detrital Wash.

Economic Activities

Stone’s Ferry functioned primarily as a commercial river crossing for passengers, freight, livestock, and emigrants traveling between Nevada and Arizona. It supported regional mining by providing access to Arizona’s silver districts and served as a landing for barges, such as those operated by Captain L. C. Wilburn. These barges transported salt mined from nearby Virgin River valley deposits downstream to the mills at El Dorado Canyon, where it was essential for processing silver ore.

Under Bonelli’s ownership (after he purchased the rights around 1870–1871), the ferry expanded to haul produce, feed, and salt from his St. Thomas farm and salt mines to mining camps like El Dorado, Chloride, and Cerbat. It also facilitated larger movements, including a band of sheep to Arizona in 1875 and a group of 83 Mormon emigrants in 1877. The operation relied on the river’s flow and manual or animal-assisted boat handling, tying directly into the broader network of Mormon agriculture, salt production, and support for southwestern mining booms.

Decline/Abandonment

The ferry’s original site and operations were short-lived in their initial form. In 1876, Daniel Bonelli relocated the ferry and his family upstream near the old settlement of Junction City (just east of the Virgin River mouth) and renamed it Bonelli’s Ferry. This move centralized operations closer to his St. Thomas holdings and improved access. By the early 1900s, competing railroads and improved overland roads reduced river traffic. Bonelli died of a stroke in 1903; a flood destroyed the ferry in 1904 (though his son later rebuilt and operated it into the 1920s). The associated post office at the renamed site (Rioville) closed in 1906 as irrigation water diminished and economic activity shifted away.

The original Stone’s Ferry site ceased independent operations with the relocation, and the entire area saw full abandonment as a settlement by the early 20th century. All river crossings in the region, including this one, were ultimately inundated by the rising waters of Lake Mead following the construction of Hoover Dam in the 1930s.

Legacy/Current Status

Stone’s Ferry exemplifies the pioneering role of Mormon settlers in developing early transportation infrastructure along the Colorado River in the American Southwest. It bridged isolated agricultural colonies with Arizona’s mining economy, supported salt transport for ore processing, and highlighted the challenges of remote river-based commerce before railroads dominated. The site transitioned into Bonelli’s Ferry (later associated with Rioville/Junction City), which operated longer but shared the same fate. Its history underscores themes of Mormon colonization in southern Nevada, boundary shifts between territories, and the eventual transformation of the Colorado River by large-scale dam projects.

Today, the site of Stone’s Ferry lies submerged beneath the Virgin Basin of Lake Mead. No surface remains are accessible, and it is recognized as one of Clark County’s ghost towns due to its complete inundation and abandonment. It joins other nearby historical sites (such as St. Thomas and Rioville) lost to reservoir waters but preserved in historical records and surveys.

Sources/References

  • Wikipedia: Stone’s Ferry, Nevada (drawing on primary historical accounts and surveys).
  • U.S. National Park Service, Lake Mead history documents (detailing operators, Bonelli’s purchase in 1877, uses, and submersion).
  • James H. McClintock, Mormon Settlement in Arizona: A Record of Peaceful Conquest of the Desert (1921).
  • Richard E. Lingenfelter, Steamboats on the Colorado River, 1852–1916 (University of Arizona Press, 1978).
  • Additional context from George M. Wheeler’s 1875 Topographical Atlas and surveys; Legends of America historical summaries on Colorado River crossings.

This report is based on documented historical records of Mormon settlement, river transportation, and mining support in the lower Colorado River region during the late 19th century. Stone’s Ferry illustrates the brief but essential role of such ferries in opening the desert Southwest before modern infrastructure rendered them obsolete.

Lages Station, Nevada – White Pine County Ghost Town

Posted on by
Ghost Towns of White Pine County, Nevada
Ghost Towns of White Pine County, Nevada

Lages Station (also known as Lage’s Junction or Lages Junction) is a small ghost town and roadside settlement in White Pine County, eastern Nevada. It is located at the important highway junction of U.S. Route 93 and U.S. Route 93 Alternate in Steptoe Valley, approximately 62 miles north of Ely and about 78 miles south of Wells.

The site sits at an elevation of 5,981 feet (1,823 m) in a remote, high-desert environment typical of the Great Basin, flanked by the Schell Creek Range to the east and the Egan Range to the west. It is marked on USGS topographic maps as the namesake for its own 7.5-minute quadrangle.

Unlike many White Pine County settlements tied to 19th-century mining rushes (such as Shermantown or Aurum), Lages Station developed primarily as a 20th-century transportation and service stop.

Early History and Naming

The exact origins of the name “Lages” (often pronounced “La-g-eez”) remain somewhat unclear but likely derive from an early settler, rancher, or station operator in the area. The location served travelers along historic routes through the Steptoe Valley long before formal highway development.

The broader region saw activity from the Pony Express and Central Overland Route in the 1860s, with nearby ranches and stage stops supporting cross-country travel. Lages Station itself emerged in the early 20th century as automobile traffic increased along evolving federal highways, including alignments of the historic Lincoln Highway.

Development as a Roadside Stop (20th Century)

Lages Station functioned mainly as a practical roadside service point for motorists in one of Nevada’s most isolated stretches. It typically included:

  • A gas station
  • Convenience store / small restaurant or diner
  • Basic lodging or motel rooms
  • RV park facilities

During its peak mid-20th century period, the settlement supported a small population (estimated at 10–20 residents at times) sustained by highway traffic, local ranching, and travelers heading between Ely, Wells, and beyond. It served as a welcome oasis in the vast desert, offering fuel, food, and rest in an area with few other services.

The junction’s strategic position made it a key navigational point: U.S. 93 continues north toward Wells and Interstate 80, while the Alternate route provides another path through the region.

Decline and Modern Era

As with many small Nevada roadside communities, Lages Station declined in the late 20th century due to improved vehicles with longer ranges, highway realignments, and rural depopulation. Major mining operations in the county (such as copper in Ely/Ruth) had less direct impact here compared to transportation services.

By the early 2000s, the settlement had become a near-ghost town. As of 2007, only a single family remained, operating the last gas station and living in the former commercial buildings. In later years, the gas station and associated services largely closed, with the structures repurposed primarily as a private residence (notably occupied by the Gledhill family in some accounts).

Today, it is classified as a ghost town with minimal remaining activity. Travelers may still see the cluster of buildings at the junction, but services are generally unavailable.

Legacy

Lages Station represents a different facet of White Pine County’s history — not a booming mining camp, but a humble waystation that supported the flow of people and goods across Nevada’s vast interior in the automobile age. It highlights the challenges and resilience of remote outposts dependent on transient traffic rather than mineral wealth.

The site remains a minor landmark for road trippers, historians, and those exploring U.S. 93. Its quiet presence underscores the isolation and stark beauty of the Great Basin landscape.

Sources

This report draws from Wikipedia entries, traveler accounts (such as blogs and road trip journals), USGS mapping data, and regional Nevada historical resources. Information on Lages Station is relatively sparse compared to major mining towns, reflecting its modest scale and function.

Saint Joseph, Nevada – Clark County Ghost Town

Posted on by
Ghost towns of Clark County, Nevada
Ghost towns of Clark County, Nevada

Saint Joseph, Nevada, is a historic ghost town located in Clark County in the Moapa Valley along the east bank of the Muddy River. It played a brief but notable role in the mid-19th-century Mormon colonization efforts in southern Nevada. Today, little physical evidence remains of the original settlement, though its legacy connects to the modern community of Logandale.

Founding and Early Settlement (1865)

Mormon settlers, directed by Brigham Young as part of the broader Muddy Mission (or Moapa Mission), established Saint Joseph in May 1865. A group led by Thomas Smith initially founded the nearby community of St. Thomas at the confluence of the Muddy and Virgin Rivers earlier that year. In June 1865, a second group moved about nine miles north and built a fort on a bluff overlooking the east side of the Muddy River, roughly five miles north of present-day Overton.

The settlement was named Saint Joseph, reportedly after Joseph Young, a colonizer and son of Brigham Young. Like other Muddy Mission outposts, its purpose was agricultural: to grow crops such as cotton, wheat, and corn in the fertile river valley, while also securing the area against non-Mormon (“Gentile”) travelers and supporting the broader Latter-day Saints expansion in the American West.

Settlers constructed adobe buildings, a wooden gristmill (sometimes associated with the nearby Simonsville or Mill Point area), and other infrastructure. The mill processed salt, corn, and wheat. By 1867, the community had grown enough to receive its own post office (established August 26, 1867). It briefly served as the county seat when the Utah Territory created Rio Virgen County, even as the Arizona Territory claimed parts of the valley under Pah-Ute County.

The 1868 Fire and Relocation

In 1868, a fire—reportedly started by young boys attempting to roast potatoes—swept through the town and destroyed most of the structures, sparing at least one adobe building. Residents attempted to rebuild, but many relocated a few miles northwest to a new site along the Muddy River (sometimes described as on the west side or a short distance upstream). This new location also took the name Saint Joseph and grew to several hundred residents. The original post office transferred there.

Abandonment Due to Boundary Issues (1870–1871)

A major turning point came with the 1870 boundary survey, which determined that the Moapa Valley, including Saint Joseph, lay within Nevada rather than the Utah or Arizona territories as previously assumed. Nevada authorities demanded that the Mormon settlers pay substantial back taxes in gold coin—a burden the community found unsustainable. With permission from Brigham Young, most residents abandoned the settlement in 1871. Only one family reportedly remained initially.

This abandonment mirrored the fate of other Muddy Mission towns like St. Thomas. Non-Mormon settlers (“Gentiles”) soon moved in to claim the farmlands and remaining structures.

Later History and Connection to Logandale

Mormon pioneers began returning to the Moapa Valley around 1880, repurchasing land and re-establishing communities such as Overton and parts of the former Saint Joseph area. The relocated Saint Joseph site was renamed Logan (after an early pioneer or to avoid confusion) and later Logandale in 1917. Logandale incorporated the post office and became a lasting agricultural community in Clark County.

A Saint Joseph Cemetery in the area dates back to the 1860s, with initial use around 1864–1869 and additional burials in the 1890s. Some remnants, such as foundations or the occasional adobe structure, have been noted by historians and local explorers, though the original townsite is largely gone. Nearby historic buildings in the Logandale area, like the Gubler House (built 1909), reflect the continued settlement history.

Geographic and Modern Context

Saint Joseph (historical) is situated in Clark County, Nevada, with coordinates approximately 36°34′22″N 114°26′59″W. It lies in the Moapa Valley, part of the broader region that includes Overton and Logandale, north of Las Vegas. Clark County itself was not organized until 1909 (carved from Lincoln County), long after the town’s abandonment.

Today, Saint Joseph is classified as a ghost town, with minimal visible ruins compared to better-preserved sites like St. Thomas (partially submerged and later exposed due to Lake Mead fluctuations). The area’s history is preserved through local historical societies, the Clark County Museum, and accounts of the Muddy Mission.

Significance in Nevada History

Saint Joseph exemplifies the challenges faced by early Mormon settlements in the arid West: ambitious agricultural missions, conflicts over territorial boundaries, and tensions with state taxation. The Muddy Mission towns, including Saint Joseph, St. Thomas, and others, represented Brigham Young’s vision of a self-sustaining “Zion” corridor stretching from Utah southward. Their short-lived nature highlights how federal boundary decisions and economic pressures shaped settlement patterns in southern Nevada during the post-Civil War era.

The story of Saint Joseph underscores the resilience of the Moapa Valley’s communities, which transitioned from short-term missionary outposts to enduring agricultural towns like Logandale and Overton that still thrive today on farming and ties to Las Vegas.

Sources for further reading include local histories such as Pearson Starr Corbett’s work on the Muddy Mission, Nevada historical society publications, and sites documenting Clark County ghost towns. Remnants and related sites can sometimes be viewed in the Moapa Valley area, though visitors should respect private property and protected lands.

Garnet, Nevada – Clark County Ghost Town

Posted on by
Ghost towns of Clark County, Nevada
Ghost towns of Clark County, Nevada

Garnet is an extinct town, commonly classified as a ghost town, located in Clark County, Nevada, in the United States. Unlike many well-documented Nevada ghost towns tied to major mining booms, Garnet has left behind almost no physical remnants or detailed historical records. Its significance today stems primarily from its geographic position in a region that has been repurposed for large-scale modern infrastructure, most notably the Apex Regional Landfill. The town’s name likely derives from the garnet minerals abundant in the surrounding desert hills and valleys, a common naming practice in mineral-rich areas of the American West.

Location and Geography

Garnet is situated in the arid desert landscape north of Las Vegas, at coordinates 36°23′19″N 114°52′16″W (approximately 36.38861°N, 114.87111°W) and an elevation of 2,467 feet (752 m). It lies near the junction where Interstate 15 (I-15) meets U.S. Route 93 (US 93). The Garnet Interchange (I-15 exit 64) marks the point where US 93 branches northward toward more remote areas such as Ely.

The broader area, sometimes associated with Garnet Valley, is part of the Apex region. Nearby features include Garnet Hill (a distinct but related site east of Las Vegas, popular for collecting pyrope and almandine garnets in volcanic outcrops). The region’s geology—featuring ancient rock formations and mineral deposits—reflects southern Nevada’s desert environment, with sparse vegetation and rugged terrain shaped by erosion and the Great Unconformity (a significant geologic feature).

Historical Background

Clark County itself has a rich history dating back thousands of years, with evidence of Southern Paiute and other Native American presence, followed by Spanish explorers, Mormon settlers in the mid-19th century, and rapid growth after the San Pedro, Los Angeles and Salt Lake Railroad arrived in the early 1900s. The county was formally created in 1909 from the southern portion of Lincoln County and named after Senator William A. Clark, whose railroad investments spurred development.

Specific details about Garnet’s origins, founding date, or early settlement are virtually nonexistent in public historical sources. It appears in geographic information systems (GNIS feature ID: 845843) as an extinct town but is not featured in major Nevada ghost town guides, mining histories, or local historical society records. There are no accounts of a population boom, notable mines, businesses, or events tied directly to the site. It was likely a very small, short-lived settlement—possibly a minor mining camp, railroad-related stop, or supply point—that never developed beyond a handful of structures. “Not much remains of the former community,” as noted in available descriptions.

The name “Garnet” aligns with the area’s mineral resources, similar to Garnet Hill to the south. It coexisted with other nearby extinct towns like Apex (after which the modern landfill is named). These small outposts reflect the pattern of transient communities in early 20th-century southern Nevada, many of which faded as larger towns like Las Vegas grew and transportation routes shifted. No significant mining production, census data, or newspaper mentions specific to Garnet have been widely preserved.

Modern Significance and Development

In the late 20th and 21st centuries, the Garnet area’s location along major highways made it ideal for industrial use. Its most prominent feature is the Apex Regional Landfill (operated by Republic Services), one of the largest landfills in the world by area and volume. Opened in 1993, the landfill is situated in the Garnet/Apex vicinity and serves as the primary municipal solid waste facility for the Las Vegas metropolitan area. It can accept up to 13,600 tons of waste per day and has capacity for over 250–300 years at current rates. The facility spans thousands of acres, with engineered liners, methane capture systems, and ongoing expansion that involves quarrying surrounding rock.

Although officially named after the nearby extinct town of Apex, the landfill is frequently associated with Garnet in geographic references. The site also supports the broader Apex Industrial Park, one of the largest in southern Nevada, which includes limited additional development such as power infrastructure and other facilities. The Garnet Interchange continues to serve as a critical transportation node.

Conclusion

Garnet, Nevada, stands as a quiet footnote in Clark County’s history—a place that never achieved the fame or longevity of Nevada’s iconic mining towns yet endures in official records and modern geography. Its story mirrors the broader narrative of the American West: fleeting settlements born of opportunity in a harsh desert environment, later overshadowed by urbanization and infrastructure. While the original community has vanished, the area now plays a vital, if unseen, role in sustaining the Las Vegas Valley’s growth by managing its waste for generations to come. Further primary-source research (such as old county maps, railroad records, or unpublished local archives) might uncover additional details, but publicly available information remains limited, underscoring Garnet’s status as one of Clark County’s most obscure ghost towns.

Hobson, Nevada – White Pine County Ghost Town

Posted on by
Ghost Towns of White Pine County, Nevada
Ghost Towns of White Pine County, Nevada

Hobson is a small ghost town in White Pine County, eastern Nevada, located in or near Ruby Valley on the western side of Ruby Lake. Its coordinates are approximately 40.07444° N, 115.53278° W, at an elevation of about 6,020 feet (1,835 m).

Unlike many White Pine County settlements tied to mining booms, Hobson is best known as the site of Fort Ruby (also called Camp Ruby), a U.S. Army post and National Historic Landmark. The area served as a key stop along the Overland Trail and Pony Express route.

Founding and Military History (1862)

Fort Ruby was established in September 1862 during the American Civil War by the United States Army. Its primary purpose was to protect emigrants, stagecoaches, and telegraph lines along the Overland Trail from potential Native American attacks and to secure the vital transportation and communication link between California and the Union states.

The fort was strategically placed at the east entrance to the Overland Pass into Ruby Valley, near the Ruby Mountains. It housed between 100 and 300 soldiers at its peak and included barracks, officer quarters, storehouses, and other military structures.

The post played a defensive role in the remote high-desert environment, where harsh winters and isolation made service challenging. It was never a large permanent installation but served as an important temporary emergency outpost.

Post-Civil War Period and Civilian Settlement

After the Civil War ended, the military presence at Fort Ruby diminished. The fort was eventually abandoned by the Army in the late 1860s or early 1870s.

A small civilian settlement known as Hobson developed near the former fort site. It remained a modest community supporting local ranching, stage travel, and overland activities. A post office operated intermittently in the area, and the site retained some importance due to its location along historic travel corridors.

By 1940, the population of Hobson was recorded as just 25 residents, reflecting its decline into a tiny ranching outpost.

Decline and Abandonment

Hobson never experienced the dramatic mining booms seen in nearby areas like Hamilton, Treasure City, or Shermantown. Its economy was tied more to transportation, military presence, and limited agriculture/ranching in Ruby Valley rather than mineral extraction.

As railroads and improved roads bypassed the remote valley, and with the end of stagecoach and Pony Express eras, the settlement faded. By the mid-20th century, it had become a true ghost town, with only ruins remaining from both the fort and later civilian structures.

Legacy and Current Remains

Hobson and Fort Ruby hold historical significance for their role in protecting the Overland Trail during a critical period in American history. Fort Ruby was designated a National Historic Landmark and added to the National Register of Historic Places in 1966.

Today, visitors can find:

  • Foundations and ruins of the original fort buildings
  • Interpretive trails and markers (a historical trail was opened in recent years)
  • Remnants of the small settlement in the scenic Ruby Valley setting near Ruby Lake

The site offers insight into Civil War-era frontier military life in the Great Basin and the challenges of maintaining supply lines across the vast Nevada landscape. It attracts historians, military history enthusiasts, and those exploring Nevada’s Pony Express and Overland Trail heritage.

Historical Context

While White Pine County is famous for its intense 1860s–1870s silver mining rushes, Hobson represents a different facet of the county’s history — transportation, communication, and military protection during national crisis. It complements other sites like Fort Schellbourne in the same county.

Sources

This report is based on National Park Service records, Nevada historical resources, and accounts of Fort Ruby’s military role. Shawn Hall’s books on White Pine County ghost towns also provide valuable context for the region.