Eightmile (also known as Eight Mile or Eight Mile Station) is a historic locale and ghost town site in eastern White Pine County, Nevada. It sits at an elevation of approximately 5,541 feet (1,689 m) along Spring Creek, near coordinates 39°58′16″N 114°04′33″W. The site lies on what is now part of the Goshute Indian Reservation.
Unlike the mining boom towns common in White Pine County (such as Shermantown, Aurum, or Hamilton), Eightmile’s primary historical significance stems from its role as a transportation and communication stop rather than mineral extraction.
Founding and Pony Express Era (1860–1861)
Eightmile originated as Eight Mile Station (also called Prairie Gate or Spring Station), one of the key relay stations on the legendary Pony Express route. Established in 1860, it served as a stop where riders could change horses and rest briefly during the high-speed mail delivery between St. Joseph, Missouri, and Sacramento, California.
The station was strategically located roughly eight miles from a previous stop, fitting the typical 10–15 mile spacing needed for fresh horses. It functioned as part of the Central Overland Route, which later supported stagecoach operations.
Notable Incident (1863): On March 23, 1863, Goshute Indians, led by a chief known as White Horse, attacked and burned the station, killing the station keeper. This event helped spark the Overland (or Goshute) War, a series of conflicts between Native American groups and settlers/companies using the trail.
During the American Civil War and the subsequent Snake War period, the U.S. Army (including troops from nearby Fort Ruby) frequently garrisoned or patrolled the station to protect the vital transportation corridor linking the western territories to the East before the transcontinental railroad’s completion in 1869.
Later Use (1860s–1900s)
After the Pony Express ended in October 1861 (replaced by faster telegraph service and stage lines), Eightmile continued operating as a stagecoach station along the Central Overland Route. It supported mail, passenger, and freight transport across Nevada’s high desert.
In the early 20th century, the area transitioned to ranching. A sheep ranch was established around the 1900s. The Lincoln Highway (one of America’s earliest transcontinental auto routes) also passed through the area on its path from Ibapah, Utah, toward Ely, Nevada.
Decline and Modern Era
By the 1930s, the site had largely faded as a distinct settlement. In 1938, the U.S. Government acquired the land for use by the Goshute people. A nearby ranch known as the Georgetta Ranch has also been associated with the broader Eightmile area.
Today, the location appears primarily as private residences or ranch-related structures on the Goshute Indian Reservation. Remnants of the original Pony Express station are minimal but have been noted by historians and explorers, including foundations or ruins typical of remote overland stations.
Historical Context and Legacy
Eightmile represents the critical infrastructure that supported westward expansion in the mid-19th century. While White Pine County is famous for its silver and copper mining rushes, sites like Eightmile highlight the importance of the Pony Express and Overland Trail in connecting isolated regions and facilitating communication during the Civil War era.
The station’s violent history underscores the tensions between Native American tribes and encroaching transportation networks. Its survival into the automobile age via the Lincoln Highway adds another layer to its transportation heritage.
Sources
This report draws from Nevada historical resources, Pony Express National Historic Trail documentation, and county histories. Eightmile remains a quiet but meaningful waypoint for those tracing Nevada’s overland trails and Native American history in the region.