Humboldt County is a county located in the northwest part of Nevada, in the United States. It is the fifth-largest county in the state by area and is sparsely populated, with most of its residents living in the city of Winnemucca. The county is known for its rugged beauty, including the Santa Rosa Range and the Black Rock Desert, and is popular for outdoor recreation activities such as hunting, fishing, camping, and hiking. The economy of the area is driven by agriculture, mining, and tourism, with the area being rich in natural resources such as gold, silver, copper, and geothermal energy.
The county was named after the Humboldt River, which flows through the area and ultimately named after Alexander von Humboldt, a Prussian geographer and explorer.
Humboldt County History
In the late 1800s, mining became an important industry in Humboldt County, with several large mines operating in the area. The town of Winnemucca, located in the center of the county, became an important supply center for the mines and served as a hub for transportation and commerce.
In the early 1900s, agriculture also became an important industry in Humboldt County. The fertile land along the Humboldt River proved to be ideal for farming, and many settlers began growing crops such as alfalfa, wheat, and potatoes. Ranching also became popular, with many large cattle ranches established in the area.
During World War II, the town of Winnemucca played an important role in the war effort, with the Winnemucca Army Air Field serving as a training center for Army Air Corps pilots.
Today, the area is home to a diverse economy that includes mining, agriculture, and tourism. The county is known for its outdoor recreation opportunities, including hunting, fishing, and camping in the nearby mountains and deserts.
Humboldt County’s rich history is preserved in several museums and historic sites throughout the regeon, including the Humboldt Museum, the Winnemucca Convention and Visitors Center, and the Buckaroo Hall of Fame and Heritage Museum. Overall, Humboldt County has played an important role in Nevada’s development and continues to be an important part of the state’s economy and culture.
Humboldt County Ghost Towns
 Galena Nevada – Lander County Ghost TownGalena Nevada was a silver mining from 1869 to 1907 and currently a ghost town located just just a west of highway 305 south of… |
Humboldt County Historic Markers
 Pioneer Memorial Park – Nevada State Historical Marker 2The Pioneer Memorial Park is Nevada Centennial Marker No. 2, installed in 1964 as part of Nevada's celebration of its 100th anniversary of statehood and… |
 Sarah Winnemucca HopkinsSarah Winnemucca Hopkins was a member of the Paiute tribe and a Native American writer, activist, lecturer, teacher, and school organizer in the Humboldt County… |
 The Humboldt CanalHumboldt County, Nevada The Humboldt Canal, often referred to as the Old French Canal, was an ambitious engineering project conceived in 1862 by A. Gintz… |
 The Humboldt RiverThe Humboldt River, Nevada’s longest river, stretches approximately 330 miles from its headwaters in the Ruby, Jarbidge, and Independence Mountains in northeastern Nevada to its… |