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.