Midas is a populated location and gold mining town located in Elko County, Nevada. The town is located in a valley along the Midas Creek on the south eastern slopes of the Owyhee Bluffs about 42 miles north east of Golconda, Nevada and 42 miles west of Tuscarora.
In the summer of 1907, Gold is discovered by James McDuffy in the Gold Circle mining district. As with most discoveries of this nature a large influx of prospectors and miners flooded into the area in the following spring. When the post office is founded in 1908, the town is renamed to Midas in reference to the Greek god, who could turn all he touched into gold. The town being renamed was in response to government concern that there are too many towns named with the prefix Gold.
By the summer of 1908, the town hosts some two thousand citizens who lived in frame cabins and tents. A chamber of commerce is formed and the Gold Circle News is started. The main street of the little town hosted hotels, saloons, laundry and assorted stores to service the population. Vaudeville performances are held at the Gold Circle Club.
Despite the initial success of the town, interested waned in the closing months of 1908 due the low quality of ore and the high shipping costs. The population at this time hovered about two hundred fifty.
A resurgence of sorts start in 1915 with the development of the fifty ton cyanide mill. The mill was in operation until 1923 when the mill is lost to fire. Various mining operations continued until 1942 when the post office is closed.
Today, Midas is still home to “a few” people.
Town Summary
| Name | Midas, Nevada |
| Also Known As | Rosebud, Gold Circle |
| Location | Elko County, Nevada |
| Latitude, Longitude | 41.2440709, -116.7967729 |
| GNIS | 845906 |
| Elevation | 1750 meters / 5742 feet |
| Post Office | 1908 – 1942 |
| Population | 2000 |
| Newspaper | Gold Circle Miner (The) Apr 11, 1908 Gold Circle News June 20 – Sept 26, 1908 Gold Circle Porcupine May 20, 1914 |