Churchill County

Churchill County 4×4 trails are found in a small sparsely populated county in the Battle Born Silver State of Nevada. The area is named for Fort Chuchill, which was named for General Sylvester Churchill (August 2, 1783 – December 7, 1862) who was a hero of the Mexican-American War and Inspector General during the U. S. Civil War.

Churchill County 4x4 trails named for Sylvester Churchill (August 2, 1783 – December 7, 1862)
Sylvester Churchill (August 2, 1783 – December 7, 1862)

The county was founded in 1861, however it was not organized until 1861. Bucklands was the first county seat, however this was a short term as the county seat was moved to La Plata, then again to Still Water in 1868. Eventually, the seat was moved to Fallon, where it remains today.

Fairview and Bermond Station Nevada in southeast Churchill County in 1910 - USGS Carson Sink 1:250000 Quad 1910
Fairview and Bermond Station Nevada in southeast Churchill County in 1910 – USGS Carson Sink 1:250000 Quad 1910

The county was traverse by two major overland trails starting with the gold rush of 1849. Despite this, the countys mineral wealth was not tapped until roughly 20 years later. Despite initial successes in La Plata and Silver Hill, load mining in the county was all but non existent in the 1880s. The two exceptions being Bolivia and Bernice.

There was a boom in 1905 state wide, and Churchill Countys representation was made by Wonder and Fairview.

Trail Map

Churchill County 4×4 Trails

Pony Express Riders "Billy" Richardson, Johnny Fry, Charles Cliff, Gus Cliff - Ernest and Elaine Hartnagle (original tintype from the Martin E. Ismert Collection - Kansas City, Missouri) - http://www.historybuff.com/library/refrichardson.html

The Pony Express Trails and Stations In Nevada

The Pony Express operated for a very brief period of time from April 3, 1860, to October 26, 1861. The mail service allowed quick delivery…

Churchill County Ghost Towns

Fourth of July parade, Fairview, Nevada 1906. - Stanley W. Paher, Nevada Ghost Towns and Mining Camps, (1970), Howell North, p96, Ashley Cook Collection, Theron Fox Collection

Fairview Nevada – Churchill County Ghost Town

Founded in 1905, Fairview Nevada is a ghost town and silver mining camp located in Churchill County, near the town of Fallon, Nevada. The towns…

Jessup Nevada – Churchill County Ghost Town

Jessup Nevada is a ghost town and gold mining camp located in Churchill County, Nevada. The site was first discovered in February 1908 by Frank…
This ten-stamp mill built in 1864 at the lower end of La Plata - Nevada Ghost Towns and Mining Camps - Paher

La Plata Nevada – Churchill County Ghost Town

Following the discovery of silver in 1862, La Plata Nevada is a ghost town locate in and the second county seat of Churchill County, Nevada.…
Wonder Mine 1907 - Stanley W. Paher, Nevada Ghost Towns and Mining Camps, (1970) p 100

Wonder Nevada – Churchill County Ghost Town

Wonder Nevada is a ghost town and mining camp, which is located about 14 miles north of the US 50, in Churchill County, Nevada. In…

Churchill County Nevada State Historical Monuments

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. Budget cuts the program became dormant in 2009.

Ragtown NSHM – Nevada State Historic Marker #19

Ragtown NSHM is Nevada State Historical Marker number nineteen and is located in the Churchill County, Nevada. Nevada State Historical Markers identify significant places of…

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