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.

Wonder Nevada – Churchill County Ghost Town

Posted on by

Wonder, Nevada, now a ghost town in Churchill County, was a short-lived but significant mining community during the early 20th-century silver and gold rush. Located 39 miles east of Fallon, Wonder thrived from 1906 to 1919, driven by rich mineral discoveries. This report details the town’s founding, growth, economic role, and decline, based on historical records.

The Wonder mining camp, Nevada 1907.
The Wonder mining camp, Nevada 1907.

Founding and Early Growth

Wonder was established in May 1906 after prospectors from Fairview discovered high-grade quartz veins north of Chalk Mountain. Thomas J. Stroud located the Lost Claim on March 15, 1906, followed by the Jack Pot and Queen claims, triggering a mining rush. By June, the Wonder Mining District was formed, with over 1,000 claims staked. The town grew quickly, boasting stores, saloons, assay offices, and a stage line to Fairview and Fallon by mid-1906. The Wonder Mining News began publication in August 1906, and a post office opened in September 1909. Infrastructure included hotels, boarding houses, restaurants, a freight depot, an artificial ice plant, and a swimming pool fed by Bench Creek.

Mining and Economic Significance

The Nevada Wonder Mining Company, incorporated on September 19, 1906, by Murray Scott, William Mays, and others, dominated the district. Backed by eastern investors, the company built a 100-ton mill in 1911, upgraded to a 200-ton cyanide mill in 1913 to address high milling costs due to the lack of a railroad. Wonder’s low-sulfidation epithermal deposits, rich in quartz, adularia, acanthite, gold, and silver halides, yielded approximately $6 million in silver, gold, copper, and zinc from 1906 to 1919. The Nevada Wonder Mining Company alone generated $1,549,002 in revenue by its closure in December 1919.

Wonder Mine 1907 - Stanley W. Paher, Nevada Ghost Towns and Mining Camps, (1970) p 100
Wonder Mine 1907 – Stanley W. Paher, Nevada Ghost Towns and Mining Camps, (1970) p 100

Community Life

At its peak, Wonder supported about 200 residents, primarily men, with a school established in 1907. Bench Creek provided 150,000 gallons of water daily, and by 1910, a record-breaking electric transmission line from Bishop, California, powered the town. Social amenities like saloons and the swimming pool enhanced life in the desert. Eva Adams, born in Wonder in 1908, later became a notable figure as Director of the U.S. Mint under Presidents Kennedy and Johnson.

Decline and Legacy

By 1919, Wonder’s mineral veins were exhausted, leading to the Nevada Wonder Mining Company’s closure. The post office shut down in August 1920, and many buildings were relocated to other mining camps. A brief revival in the 1930s failed, and Executive Order L-208 halted operations in 1942. The mill was dismantled in 1924, and the electric line was removed. Today, Wonder’s remnants—mill foundations and scattered wooden structures—are accessible via a dirt road off Dixie Valley Road from US 50 East.

Conclusion

Wonder, Nevada, exemplifies the rise and fall of Western mining towns. Its brief prosperity from 1906 to 1919, driven by the Nevada Wonder Mining Company, contributed significantly to Churchill County’s economy. The town’s decline reflects the transient nature of mining booms, leaving behind a legacy of historical markers and figures like Eva Adams, preserving Wonder’s place in Nevada’s history.

Lowest level of Wonder mine, 1907 - - Stanley W. Paher, Nevada Ghost Towns and Mining Camps, p 100
Lowest level of Wonder mine, 1907 – Stanley W. Paher, Nevada Ghost Towns and Mining Camps, p 100

Despite heavy investment and a flurry of activity, mining operations ceased in 1919 and by August of 1920, the post office closed. Small lease operations did continue for a short while.

Town Summary

TownWonder
LocationChurhhill County, Nevada
GNIS845018
Latitude, Longitude39.439444, -118.053056
Elevation5853 feet
Population<1000
Post OfficeSeptember 1909 – August 1920
NewspaperThe Wonder Mining News Jan 4, 1908 – Nov 18, 1912

Wonder Trail Map

References

Stillwater Nevada

Posted on by

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

Posted on by

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

Posted on by

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

Posted on by

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