Category: Points of Interest

A point of interest is a specific location that attracts visitors due to its cultural, historical, natural, or recreational significance. Typically marked by unique features, it offers an engaging experience, such as scenic views, educational value, or leisure activities. Examples include museums showcasing local heritage, natural landmarks like arches or waterfalls, or historic sites tied to significant events. Often accessible by trails or roads, POIs may provide amenities like visitor centers, guided tours, or interpretive signage, making them ideal for tourists, hikers, or locals seeking exploration and enrichment.

Tuscarora Nevada

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Tuscarora, Nevada, is a small unincorporated community in Elko County, nestled at the base of Mount Blitzen on the eastern slope of the Tuscarora Mountains, approximately 50 miles northwest of Elko. Once a bustling mining town with a population exceeding 3,000, it is now a near-ghost town with about 120 residents, known for its historical significance and the internationally renowned Tuscarora Pottery School. The town’s history is a vivid tale of gold and silver booms, cultural diversity, and resilience, shaped by prospectors, Chinese laborers, and modern-day artists.

Origins and Gold Discovery (1867–1871)

Tuscarora’s story began in 1867 when a Shoshone Indian revealed the presence of gold to a trader along the Humboldt River. The trader shared this information with brothers John and Steven Beard, who, along with six other prospectors from Austin, Nevada, ventured to the west side of Independence Valley. By July 1867, they organized a mining district and named it Tuscarora after the USS Tuscarora, a Union warship on which one miner, Charles M. Benson, had served during the Civil War. The name also reflects the Tuscarora people, an Iroquoian Native American tribe originally from North Carolina.

The initial camp formed on McCann Creek, about two miles southwest of the present townsite, where placer mining yielded approximately $12 per miner per day. As news spread, nearly 300 miners rushed from Austin, prompting the construction of a four-room adobe fort for protection against potential Native American raids. In 1868, a four-stamp mill was relocated from Austin, but it proved inefficient. By 1869, the completion of the Central Pacific Railroad left many Chinese laborers unemployed, and over 100 of them arrived in Tuscarora, taking over abandoned placer claims on Beard Hill. By 1870, the census recorded 105 Chinese residents compared to 15 whites, highlighting the significant Chinese presence.

Silver Boom and Town Development (1871–1884)

In 1871, W.O. Weed discovered rich silver lodes on the east side of Mount Blitzen, two miles northeast of the Beard claims, shifting the focus from gold to silver. These discoveries, including the Mount Blitzen silver veins, led to the platting of the current Tuscarora townsite below the new finds. The original McCann Creek site became known as “Old Town,” primarily worked by Chinese miners, while Euro-American miners developed the new silver mines. The Tuscarora Mining District boomed between 1872 and 1884, producing an estimated $10 million to $40 million in silver and gold.

Photograph of Grand Prize Mill, Tuscarora, Nevada, 1891 - Elbert Edwards Photo Collection - University of Nevada, Las Vegas University Libraries
Photograph of Grand Prize Mill, Tuscarora, Nevada, 1891 – Elbert Edwards Photo Collection – University of Nevada, Las Vegas University Libraries

By 1877, Tuscarora’s population swelled to 3,000–4,000, including several hundred Chinese residents. The town boasted a vibrant infrastructure with saloons, restaurants, general stores, a post office (established in 1871), two newspapers (the Tuscarora Times and Review, which merged into the Times-Review in 1878), Methodist and Catholic churches, a public school, and fraternal lodges like the Masons and Odd Fellows. Six mills with 80 stamps processed ore from major mines such as the Grand Prize, Navajo, Independence, and Argenta. The Grand Prize alone yielded over $1.39 million in its first year.

The Chinese community, concentrated in “Chinatown” along McCann Creek, operated placer mines, sold goods like tea and silks, and ran opium dens, gambling houses, and a richly decorated joss house. Chinese laborers also constructed two ditches to bring water from Six Mile Canyon and upper McCann Creek, ensuring a reliable water supply. The Tuscarora Water Company, formed in 1877, further improved water access, reducing fire risks. Toll roads connected Tuscarora to railheads in Elko, Carlin, Battle Mountain, and Winnemucca, with over 200 oxen hauling freight wagons. The 52-mile route to Elko was bustling with stagecoaches and freight, costing 2–3 cents per pound.

At its peak, Tuscarora was a cultural hub with Plunkett’s Hall hosting dances, plays, and operas on a tilting floor that could transform into an amphitheater. Social events included Fourth of July celebrations with shooting matches, baseball games, and parades led by the Tuscarora Guard. The town had progressive elements, including a polytechnic institute, skating rinks, a ballet school, and an elocution teacher. However, violence was common, with Cornish miners (“Cousin Jacks”) known for knife fights and claim-jumping disputes, such as the 1908 fatal shooting of Edward Fannoff by Joseph McGowan over a mining claim.

Decline and Bust (1885–1917)

The boom began to fade in the early 1880s as silver production declined. By 1881, Grand Prize stock plummeted from $940 to 5 cents per share. Production fell below $50,000 annually by 1895, and many mines, including the Young America, closed in the early 1890s. The 1880 census recorded 1,400 Americans in Tuscarora, with ten mines and three mills still operating, but new discoveries elsewhere drew miners away. By 1908, the Tuscarora News suspended publication as residents left for a strike at Gold Circle. In 1917, most mining equipment was sold for scrap, marking the end of major operations.

Revival Attempts and Modern Era (1987–Present)

Tuscarora remained dormant until 1987, when Fischer-Watt and Horizon reopened the Dexter Mine using open-pit methods. This operation, located south of town, threatened Tuscarora’s historic structures, but resident resistance and the mine’s unprofitability halted it by the early 1990s. Total production from 1867 to 1990 included over 500,000 ounces of gold and 7,632,000 ounces of silver.

In 1966, Dennis and Julie Parks moved to Tuscarora, establishing the Tuscarora Pottery School in a historic two-story hotel. The school, now led by Ben Parks, gained international fame, offering summer workshops that attract artists worldwide. The Friends of Tuscarora and Independence Valley, formed in the 1990s, restored the Tuscarora Society Hall, completed in 2013, as a community center and historical exhibit.

Today, Tuscarora has about 120 residents, a post office, a bar and grill, two schools, and a library branch. Visitors can explore picturesque ruins, the historic cemetery, and mine remnants, though caution is advised. The town’s high desert setting, surrounded by sagebrush, aspen, and public lands, offers hiking, biking, and a swimming hole. Tuscarora’s resilience is evident in its survival through busts, modern mining threats, and environmental challenges like Mormon cricket invasions.

Legacy

Tuscarora’s history reflects the boom-and-bust cycle of Nevada’s mining towns, enriched by its diverse population and cultural contributions. From its Shoshone origins to its silver-fueled heyday and artistic revival, Tuscarora remains a testament to the enduring spirit of the American West. Its cemetery, with wooden markers and restored headstones, and the Pottery School stand as reminders of a town that, as locals say, “never died.”

Nevada State Historic Marker No 48

Nevada State Historical Markers identify significant places of interest in Nevada’s history. The Nevada State Legislature started the program in 1967 to bring the state’s heritage to the public’s attention with on-site markers. These roadside markers bring attention to the places, people, and events that make up Nevada’s heritage. They are as diverse as the counties they are located within and range from the typical mining boom and bust town to the largest and most accessible petroglyph sites in Northern Nevada Budget cuts to the program caused the program to become dormant in 2009. Many of the markers are lost or damaged.

Most of the markers across the state are large blue metal markers. However, there are a variety of other marker styles out there. For this guide they have been simplified into a few categories (blue, blue small, concrete, and stone). Sometimes, the markers are on buildings, fences, or metal stands.

Tuscarora

This colorful historic camp originated with an 1867 discovery of placer gold by John and Steve Beard.  In 1871, W.O. Weed discovered the rich Mount Blitzen silver lodes, two miles northeast of the Beard claims.  These and other mines made up the Tuscarora Mining District, which experienced its boom between 1872 and 1884 and ultimately produced between $10 million and $40 million.  

At its peak, Tuscarora boasted a population of over 3,000, which included several hundred Chinese.  The Chinese mostly conducted placer mining at the Beard discovery site, later called Old Town while the main camp developed at the present location of Tuscarora, platted in 1871.  Toll roads, crowded with stage coaches and long strings of heavy freight wagons, serviced the camp from railheads at Elko, Carlin, Battle Mountain and Winnemucca.  Tuscarora residents shifted their work between mining gold and silver, and ranching in Independence Valley.

By 1895, Tuscarora’s production had diminished greatly from its boom days to below $50,000 annually.  The camp struggled until 1917, when most of the mining equipment was sold for scrap.  This ended operations at Tuscarora until 1987, when Fischer-Watt and Horizon re-opened the Dexter Mine.

STATE HISTORICAL MARKER No. 48

STATE HISTORIC PRESERVATION OFFICE

NORTHEASTERN NEVADA HISTORICAL SOCIETY

Nevada State Historic Marker No 48 Map

Summary

NameTuscarora, Nevada
LocationElko County, Nevada
Latitude, Longitude41.2805, -116.1138
Nevada State Historic Marker 48

Sources

Stillwater Nevada

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Stillwater, Nevada, is a ghost town in Churchill County with a rich history tied to the early settlement of the American West. Once a bustling stage station and county seat, it played a significant role in Nevada’s development before declining into obscurity.

Maint Street of Stillwater, Nevada, 1907 - - Stanley W Paher, "Nevada Ghost Towns and Mining Camps, (1970), Howell-North Books, William Kornmayer collection, p 91
Maint Street of Stillwater, Nevada, 1907 – – Stanley W Paher, “Nevada Ghost Towns and Mining Camps, (1970), Howell-North Books, William Kornmayer collection, p 91

Early History (1862–1868)

The area that became Stillwater was originally home to the Northern Paiute, who thrived in the marshy environment of the Carson Sink, relying on its resources for fish, waterfowl, and vegetation. In July 1862, the Central Overland California and Pikes Peak Express Company established a stage station named after the Stillwater Slough—a deep, sluggish waterway. This station served as a vital stop for travelers and mail routes, including the Pony Express. J.C. Scott became the first non-native settler in autumn 1862, followed by others in spring 1863, drawn by the fertile valley and agricultural potential. These early settlers built irrigation ditches and fences, and by 1865, a post office opened, marking Stillwater’s formal establishment as a community.

Growth as County Seat (1868–1904)

In December 1868, Stillwater was designated the county seat of Churchill County, a role it held until 1904. This period marked its peak, with a population reaching about 150 by 1868. The town developed significant infrastructure, including a wooden courthouse (completed in 1869 and replaced in 1881), the Sanford Hotel (built in 1870), and a grammar school (1872). Agriculture flourished, supported by one of Nevada’s earliest irrigation systems, which enabled farmers to supply produce to nearby mining camps. By 1880, Stillwater boasted a variety of businesses—stores, saloons, hotels, an ice house, restaurants, a hay yard, and a school—reflecting a vibrant, self-sustaining community at its height.

Decline and Factors (1904–Present)

Stillwater’s decline began with the Newlands Project, launched in 1903, which redirected irrigation efforts to the Lahontan Valley near Fallon. The Southern Pacific Railroad’s extension to Fallon in 1907 further shifted economic activity, prompting the county seat’s relocation to Fallon in 1904. By this time, Stillwater’s population had dwindled to around 30. Natural disasters compounded the town’s woes: a major flood in 1907 inundated the valley, and earthquakes in the 1930s and 1950s caused extensive damage to remaining structures. Over time, buildings like the courthouse and school were dismantled for lumber, leaving little of the town intact.

Current Status and Legacy

Today, Stillwater is a ghost town, though the surrounding area remains sparsely populated by ranches. A significant legacy of the region is the Stillwater National Wildlife Refuge, established in 1949, which preserves 163,000 acres of wetlands and serves as a haven for wildlife and a point of interest for visitors. Personal stories, such as those from Nathan Bailey Jr., whose family has owned property there since 1955, highlight the area’s quiet persistence despite its faded past.

Chronological Table of Key Events

YearEventDetails
1862Stage station establishedCentral Overland California and Pikes Peak Express Company, named after Stillwater Slough
1862–1863Early settlers arriveJ.C. Scott first, followed by others for farmland
1865Post office openedFormalized town establishment
1868Became county seatPopulation about 150, courthouse built in 1869
1880Population peakedVarious businesses, irrigation system developed
1903–1904County seat moved to FallonDue to Newlands Project and railroad growth in Fallon
1907Major floodInundated town and valley
1930s, 1950sEarthquakesCaused extensive damage to remaining structures
1949Stillwater National Wildlife Refuge establishedPreserves 163,000 acres of wetlands

Conclusion

Stillwater’s history encapsulates the rise and fall of many Western towns, from its origins as a stage station to its prominence as a county seat and its eventual decline. While the town itself has faded, its story endures through the Stillwater National Wildlife Refuge and the ranches that dot the landscape, offering a glimpse into Nevada’s historical and environmental evolution.

Nevada State Historic Marker 216

Nevada State Historical Markers identify significant places of interest in Nevada’s history. The Nevada State Legislature started the program in 1967 to bring the state’s heritage to the public’s attention with on-site markers. These roadside markers bring attention to the places, people, and events that make up Nevada’s heritage. They are as diverse as the counties they are located within and range from the typical mining boom and bust town to the largest and most accessible petroglyph sites in Northern Nevada Budget cuts to the program caused the program to become dormant in 2009. Many of the markers are lost or damaged

Stillwater

Stillwater’s beginning predates Nevada’s advent to statehood by two years. Named for large pools of tranquil water nearby, the town originated as an overland stage station in 1862; was granted a post office in 1865; and became Churchill’s third county seat in 1868.

Farmers developed one of the state’s first irrigation systems to supply booming mining camps with produce. The community population peaked in 1880, and when the county seat was removed to Fallon in 1904, barely three dozen residents remained.

The National Wildlife Refuge of 22,000 acres of wetland habitat, natural breeding and feeding grounds for waterfowl, was created in 1948. The Stillwater Indian Reservation adjoins the reserve.

Although their community center has disappeared, the valley’s lush fields and abundant crops attest to the untiring efforts of Stillwater’s pioneer ranchers and their descendants who met the desert’s challenge with dedication and determination. To those who survived and to those who did not we pledge our remembrance.

STATE HISTORICAL MARKER NO 216

STATE HISTORIC PRESERVATION OFFICE

DAUGHTERS OF AMERICAN COLONISTS

RENO CHAPTER

Nevada State Historic Marker Map

Key Citations

Johntown Nevada – Lyon County Ghost Town

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Johntown, Nevada, holds the distinction of being the state’s first mining town and its first ghost town. Situated in Gold Canyon, between Dayton and Silver City in Lyon County, Johntown emerged in 1853 as a key settlement during Nevada’s early mining era. Its brief existence laid the foundation for the discovery of the Comstock Lode, a monumental event in American mining history. Though no physical remnants of the town survive today, its legacy endures through historical markers and its role in shaping Nevada’s identity.

Placer mining, 1880s, in Gold Canyon. The original site of Johntown mining settlement , south of Silver, City Nevada - Stanley W. Paher, Nevada Ghost Towns and Mining Camps, Howell North, 1970, p 70. courtesy of Nevada Historical Society
Placer mining, 1880s, in Gold Canyon. The original site of Johntown mining settlement , south of Silver, City Nevada – Stanley W. Paher, Nevada Ghost Towns and Mining Camps, Howell North, 1970, p 70. courtesy of Nevada Historical Society

Founding and Early Development

Johntown was established in 1853 by James Fenemore, a teamster who created a mining camp along the Gold Canyon road. The region had seen minor gold discoveries as early as 1849, when emigrants passing through to California found traces of gold near Dayton. By the early 1850s, the area attracted a growing number of miners, including a significant population of Chinese prospectors. Their presence inspired the town’s name, “Johntown,” derived from “John Chinaman,” a term commonly used to refer to Chinese immigrants during that period.

The town’s early economy relied on placer mining, with miners using rudimentary tools like rockers and long toms to extract gold from the canyon’s deposits. Mining was seasonal, constrained by water availability, which limited operations to the wetter months of winter and spring. Despite these challenges, Johntown grew into a thriving camp and became the largest mining settlement in what was then the western Utah Territory.

Role in the Mining Industry

Johntown’s miners focused on gold, though the yields were modest and labor-intensive due to the scarcity of water. The town’s significance, however, lies in its connection to the Comstock Lode. Several individuals who would later become central figures in that silver discovery resided in Johntown during its peak, including the Grosh Brothers, Peter O’Riley, Patrick McLaughlin, H.T.P. Comstock, and James Finney (“Old Virginny”). Their presence in Johntown positioned the town as a launching point for one of the richest mining booms in the American West.

Cultural and Social Life

Life in Johntown reflected the rugged nature of a frontier mining camp. One notable resident, Eilley Orrum (later Mrs. Sandy Bowers), ran a boarding house that served as a social hub for miners. She provided lodging and meals, later leveraging her earnings to become a prominent figure in the Comstock era. Nearby, “Dutch Nick’s” saloon hosted weekly “grand balls” every Saturday night, featuring music, dancing, and gambling. With only three women in town, local stories claim that Sarah Winnemucca, a Paiute Indian princess, occasionally attended to even out the dance floor.

Johntown also made history with the Gold Canyon Switch, Nevada’s first newspaper. Handwritten by editor Joe Webb from 1854 to 1858, this unique publication circulated among miners, offering news and entertainment. No copies of the Switch have survived, but its existence underscores Johntown’s cultural vitality.

Decline and Legacy

The discovery of silver in the Comstock Lode in 1859 triggered Johntown’s rapid decline. As miners abandoned Gold Canyon for the richer deposits near Virginia City, Johntown emptied out, earning its status as Nevada’s first ghost town by the early 1860s. Key establishments, including Dutch Nick’s saloon and Eilley Orrum’s boarding house, relocated to Gold Hill, leaving Johntown behind.

Today, the site of Johntown is private property, marked only by a historical plaque on Nevada State Route 341, south of Silver City. Erected in 1967 by the E Clampus Vitus organization, the marker commemorates Johntown’s pioneering role in Nevada’s mining history.

Conclusion

Johntown, Nevada, was a short-lived but influential settlement that bridged the gap between small-scale gold prospecting and the massive silver boom of the Comstock Lode. Its early miners, diverse population, and cultural contributions highlight the tenacity of those who shaped Nevada’s frontier. Though it stands today only as a memory, Johntown’s story remains a vital chapter in the history of the American West.

Nevada’s first mining town established in 1853. A boarding house was operated here by Eilley Orrum (Mrs. Sandy Bowers). Other prominent residents, discoverers of the fantastic Comstock Lode, included the Grosh Brothers, Peter O’Riley, Patrick McLaughlin, H.T.P. Comstock, and James Finney (Old Virginny).

Nevada Historical Marker No. 39

Johntown Trail Map

Town Summary

NameJohntown
LocationLyon County, Nevada
Latitude, Longitude39.251944, -119.623611
GNIS858442
Elevation4,720 feet
Population180
NewspaperThe Gold Canyon Switch (handwritten)

References

Bernice Nevada – A Churchill County Ghost Town

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Bernice, Nevada, is a ghost town located in Churchill County, approximately 42 miles northeast of Fallon in the Bernice Mining District. Once a small but active mining community, Bernice is now a historical footnote in Nevada’s rich mining history. Known by variant names such as Casket, Salina, Salinas, and Alamo, the town’s name is traditionally attributed to a miner’s sweetheart. This report explores the history, development, and decline of Bernice, drawing on available historical records and accounts.

Early History and Establishment

The area that would become Bernice was inhabited long before European settlers arrived. Archaeological evidence suggests Native American tribes, including the Paiute, Shoshone, and Washoe, lived in the region for millennia, utilizing the land for foraging and survival. The modern history of Bernice began in the 19th century with the discovery of mineral resources in the Clan Alpine Range.

Silver mining in the Bernice area started as early as 1863, but it was not until 1881 that the Bernice Mining District was formally established, following discoveries by Wallace Goodell. The district’s name, Bernice, was adopted in 1883, reportedly inspired by a miner’s romantic interest. A post office, initially named Casket due to a mining claim shaped like a coffin, was established on June 7, 1882. The name changed to Bernice in July 1883, and the post office operated until June 1884, with some sources citing a closure in 1894.

Mining Boom and Economic Activity

The Bernice Mining District was primarily known for its antimony and silver deposits, though other minerals like gold, copper, lead, and zinc were also present. In the 1880s and 1890s, the district saw significant activity. W. W. Van Reed was the first to ship antimony ore to San Francisco’s Star & Mathews smelter, while W. W. Williams operated silver mines, constructing a 10-stamp mill and roaster to process ore. The Bothwell mill, nearing completion in July 1883, was expected to boost local ore processing.

The district’s antimony production was notable, with eight confirmed past-producing mines, including the Antimony King Mine, now part of Xtra Energy Corp.’s American Antimony Project. From 1893 to 1896, Sanders & Young made the last significant antimony shipments from the district. The area’s mineral wealth attracted prospectors and small-scale operations, but the lack of infrastructure and harsh environment limited sustained growth.

Community and Infrastructure

Bernice was a small settlement with limited amenities. The post office served as a central hub, with figures like Sarah K. Porter (appointed postmistress in 1880 at Salinas) and later Robert H. Parker and John L. Walker managing postal services. The community likely consisted of miners, their families, and support workers, living in modest accommodations typical of remote mining camps.

The Bernice Mining District lacked the large-scale infrastructure of boomtowns like Virginia City. However, efforts to preserve historical structures, such as those at the Bernice Mine in the Mojave National Preserve (a separate site in Southern Nevada), indicate a broader interest in maintaining Nevada’s mining heritage. In Bernice, Churchill County, no significant preserved structures are noted, reflecting the town’s transient nature.

Decline and Abandonment

By the late 1890s, Bernice’s mining activity had dwindled due to exhausted ore deposits and economic shifts. The closure of the post office, whether in 1884 or 1894, marked a decline in the town’s viability. The harsh desert environment, coupled with the small scale of operations, made sustaining a permanent settlement challenging. By the early 20th century, Bernice had become a ghost town, with only remnants of its mining past remaining.

The broader context of Nevada’s mining history, including the decline of smaller districts after major strikes like the Comstock Lode, contributed to Bernice’s fate. The district saw occasional exploration in later years, with modern efforts by companies like Xtra Energy Corp. focusing on antimony due to its use in batteries, semiconductors, and military applications.

Cultural and Historical Significance

Bernice represents the ephemeral nature of Nevada’s mining camps, where fortunes were sought but rarely sustained. The town’s name, tied to a romantic anecdote, adds a human element to its history. The presence of Native American tribes in the region underscores the layered history of the land, with the Washoe and Paiute maintaining cultural practices into the 20th century.

The Bernice Mining District’s antimony production highlights Nevada’s role in supplying critical industrial minerals. While not as famous as gold or silver, antimony was vital for various applications, and the district’s mines remain of interest for modern exploration.

Conclusion

Bernice, Nevada, encapsulates the rise and fall of a small mining community in the late 19th century. From its establishment in the 1880s to its decline by the early 20th century, Bernice reflects the challenges of sustaining remote settlements in Nevada’s arid landscape.

Midas Nevada – Elko County Ghost Town

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Midas, Nevada, is a small unincorporated community in Elko County, celebrated for its historical significance as a gold mining town. Established in the early 20th century, Midas has experienced cycles of prosperity and decline, yet it persists as a “living” ghost town with a small, enduring population.

In 1907, the settlement of Midas, was called Gold Circle, because the mining area encircled the camp. - Stanley W. Parmer, Nevada Ghost Towns and Mining Camps, (1970)
In 1907, the settlement of Midas, was called Gold Circle, because the mining area encircled the camp. – Stanley W. Parmer, Nevada Ghost Towns and Mining Camps, (1970)

Early History and Founding

The story of Midas began in June 1907 when James McDuffy discovered gold at the base of the Owyhee Bluffs. Initially named Gold Circle, the town emerged as a bustling mining camp alongside a neighboring settlement called Summit. By April 1908, Gold Circle’s population surpassed 1,000 as prospectors flocked to the area. A post office opened in 1907 and operated until 1942, supporting the growing community.

In 1909, the federal government renamed Gold Circle to Midas, likely to distinguish it from other Nevada towns with “gold” in their titles, which had caused postal confusion. The name Midas, evoking the mythical king who turned everything to gold, aptly reflected the town’s raison d’être. However, early growth was hampered by the absence of local stamp mills to process ore, forcing miners to ship only the richest material to distant facilities. By late 1909, the population dwindled to 250, though the addition of six stamp mills that year laid the groundwork for future resurgence.

Midas, 1908 - Stanley W. Parmer, Nevada Ghost Towns and Mining Camps, (1970), Howell North,
Midas, 1908 – Stanley W. Parmer, Nevada Ghost Towns and Mining Camps, (1970), Howell North,

Mining Industry in Midas

Gold was the lifeblood of Midas, though the ore also yielded silver, copper, lead, and zinc. The Elko Prince Mine emerged as a key operation during the town’s early years. After the initial boom of 1907–1908, the lack of processing infrastructure led to a bust. A second boom from 1916 to 1921 was fueled by the stamp mills, which processed 119 tonnes of ore daily, revitalizing the economy.

Mining declined after the 1920s, and operations halted in 1942 amid World War II, reducing the population to a mere handful by 1950. A modern revival began in 1998 with the Midas Mine, operated by Hecla Mining. This underground facility employs advanced techniques to extract gold and silver, sustaining Midas’ mining legacy into the 21st century.

Social and Cultural Life

At its peak, Midas supported a lively community with saloons, restaurants, a jail, a town hall, and a schoolhouse built in 1927, which served until 1952. The school burned down in 2005, leaving behind playground remnants as a nostalgic relic. Social life included dances, elections, and occasional violence, such as murders on Main Street.

The Midas Bighorn Saloon, housed in a 120-year-old building, remains a cultural cornerstone, welcoming locals and visitors alike. Since 1994, the nonprofit Friends of Midas has preserved the town’s history through photographs, letters, and documents, ensuring its stories endure.

Current Status and Legacy

Today, Midas blends history with modest vitality. With an estimated population of 349 and a median age of 46.4, it hosts full-time residents and seasonal homeowners. Beyond mining, the town attracts hunters and recreationists drawn to its rugged surroundings and historic charm. Preservation efforts by Friends of Midas and the saloon’s continued operation keep the past alive.

Conclusion

Midas, Nevada, embodies the resilience of America’s mining frontier. From its Gold Circle origins to its modern mining renaissance, the town has navigated booms, busts, and reinvention. Though small, Midas remains a vibrant link to Nevada’s gold rush heritage, balancing history with a quiet, enduring present.

Town Summary

NameMidas, Nevada
Also Known As Rosebud, Gold Circle
LocationElko County, Nevada
Latitude, Longitude41.2440709, -116.7967729
GNIS845906
Elevation1750 meters / 5742 feet
Post Office1908 – 1942
Population2000
NewspaperGold Circle Miner (The) Apr 11, 1908
Gold Circle News June 20 – Sept 26, 1908
Gold Circle Porcupine May 20, 1914

Midas Town Map

References