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Downeyville Nevada
Downeyville is a historic silver-lead mining ghost town located in Nye County, Nevada, in the remote Gabbs Valley region. Once known as one of the westernmost settlements in the county, it emerged during the late 19th-century mining boom in central Nevada but followed the familiar pattern of many Western mining camps: rapid growth fueled by mineral discoveries, followed by decline as ore bodies played out and larger strikes elsewhere drew away residents. Today, it consists primarily of scattered rock foundations, mining debris, and remnants of structures on a sloping rocky fan in a desolate desert landscape.
Discovery and Founding (1877–1878)
The story of Downeyville begins in May 1877 when four brothers—Patrick, Jeremiah, Edman, and James Downey—discovered rich silver-lead ore deposits a short distance from the existing camp of Ellsworth. Word of the strike spread quickly, drawing miners and opportunists from Ellsworth and other nearby areas. The new settlement initially consisted of just four crudely built log cabins. By 1878, it had grown into a functional mining camp with a population of approximately 200 residents (mostly men). The town was named after the Downey brothers, with one of them (often referred to as P. Downey or J. Downey) serving as the first postmaster.
Early infrastructure reflected the camp’s hasty development. New arrivals often slept outdoors or among the sagebrush due to a lack of housing. The post office opened on March 31, 1879, and operated until October 15, 1901, providing an official marker of the town’s legitimacy. Stage lines connected Downeyville to Wadsworth and Luning, and Wells Fargo & Co. established an express office.
Boom Period and Daily Life (1878–Early 1880s)
By late 1878, the town had expanded significantly. A correspondent for the Grantsville Sun (October 19, 1878) described it as having 60–70 buildings of various types, including three well-stocked stores, six saloons, three boarding houses, three blacksmith shops, a stable, hay corrals, and other businesses. The camp was lively, with miners, merchants, and support services catering to the growing population.
A lead smelter—one of the first true lead smelters in Nevada—was constructed around 1880 (some accounts place it slightly later) by the Downey Mining Company. This reduced the need to haul ore long distances to mills in Austin or the Carson & Colorado Railroad. Ore shipments and smelting operations drove the local economy. High hopes were expressed in local newspapers; the Silver State (September 5, 1882) predicted that Downeyville would rank among Nevada’s top bullion shipping camps due to expanding ore bodies.
Daily life in Downeyville mirrored other frontier mining towns. Saloons provided entertainment, while stores and boarding houses supported the workforce. The town’s isolation in a “lonely valley” added to its rugged character. In 1879, an Indian scare involving Piute (Paiute) groups heightened tensions; reports noted anger over an incident near Mammoth and Grantsville, with warnings that a large gathering near Ellsworth could threaten the lightly defended camp (which had only about 30 men at the time).
Mining Operations and Economy
The primary producer was the Downeyville Mine (sometimes associated with the broader Gabbs Mining District). Initial ore was shipped for processing elsewhere, but the local smelter improved efficiency. Production figures vary by source: some estimate the district yielded $7 million to $12 million in silver and lead between 1878 and 1901, while one account notes the main Downeyville mine produced about $600,000 by 1901 alone. Lead was a key output alongside silver.
Decline and Early Challenges (Mid-1880s–1900)
The boom proved short-lived. By 1885, most residents had departed, leaving only the Downey brothers. Mining proved inconsistent, and a resident’s letter in the Eureka Sentinel (June 7, 1890) lamented that no mining income had been earned for over a year. The 1901 census recorded just three residents in Downeyville amid Nye County’s total population of 1,140. The discovery of rich silver at Tonopah in 1900–1901 accelerated the exodus, as miners chased newer opportunities.
Brief Revivals (1901–1950s)
In 1901, the Downey family sold the main properties to the Nevada Company, operated by J. Phelps Stokes (son of Anson Phelps Stokes, associated with Austin’s Stokes Castle). The company built a store and boarding house and brought in about 30 workers, but profitable ore could not be located, and operations ceased by year’s end.
A more sustained revival occurred in 1923 when Downeyville Mines, Inc. rehabilitated the mine. It operated intermittently until 1927. Smaller revivals followed in the 1930s and 1950s as metal prices fluctuated, but these were minor leasing operations with limited impact. After 1927, the town remained largely silent except for occasional prospecting.
Legacy and Current Remains
Downeyville never recovered as a populated settlement. Its post office closure in 1901 marked the effective end of its official status. The site today is a classic Nevada ghost town. Scattered rock foundations (all that remain of buildings) and mining debris, including cans and broken glass, cover a spread-out area on a rocky fan. No complete structures survive, though mine ruins are among the better-preserved features. The location feels particularly isolated, with a nearby desert grave marker for Korean War veteran Private Teddie Mack Edwards (1929–1995) adding to its lonely character. Recent artifacts, such as an old mobile home trailer chassis, suggest sporadic modern visitation.
Access requires four-wheel-drive vehicles over rough roads, and the site is best visited with caution due to its remote desert setting (hot summers, cool winters). Downeyville exemplifies the ephemeral nature of Nevada’s mining towns—built on hope, sustained briefly by ore, and abandoned when economics shifted.
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Resources
- Nevada Ghost Towns and Mining Camps, pgs 309,377, 437
- ForgottenNevada.org
- GhostTowns.com
Camp Phallus – New York Mountains
Located in Caruther’s Canyons of the New York Mountains, Camp Phallus is named for a “unique” rock formation visible from the campsite. The campsite offers a central base camp location to the Old Mojave Road and the higher elevations may offer a nice break from the heat in the warmer months. We drove down to Goffs on our trip.
This is a primitive site, no posted sights, just a series of short trails to isolated sites, each of which can support several vehicles. All of the sites that I have seen appear to be quite large and capable of several vehicles. One of the campsites offers table top bench under a large tree which was an Eagle Scout project. Good work!
Camp Phallus beautiful place to camp and it offers cooler temperatures during to summer months due to its 5500 ft of elevation. There was deer in the area, and when we went in March, it was quite cold at this higher elevation. A nice campfire took the chill off.
This was my sons first camping trip and he did great. He loves to go camping despite the fact he threw a high temperature at night and we needed to head home early. The camp ground was clean, remote and vacant and we vowed to return again.
Camp Rock Springs
A small oasis and valuable water supply along the Old Mojave Road, Camp Rock Springs was the site of a military outpost established on December 30, 1866. There are few remains or ruins of the old dusty outpost but a plaque to remind the visitors that men of the U.S. Army served at this remote desert post.
Camp Rock Springs
To the United States Soldiers of Camp
Rock Springs— who guarded the U.S. Mail.
No Glory there nor much chance for
military fame, but true patriots and heroes
were they, to submit to such privations–
Yet there are the nurseries of the army,
and from such hard schools we graduated
a grant and Sherman, Sheridan and Thomas.
General James F. Rusling USA
Bill Holcomb Chapter
E. Clampus Vitus
The sentiment of General Rusling is poignant, and the soldiers who guarded this post did so without notice from the outside world. Few people at the time, yet alone now even knew this place existed. Beginning in 1860 a 20 man patrol, with one officer would patrol between Camp Rock Springs and Fort Mojave to the East, twice per month, every month, to maintain and service the Mojave Road.
In 1863, a number of complaints were filed with the army recording Indian sightings and activity including 300 – 400 encamped about 30 miles to the south. Additionally there were complaints the Native Americans were thought to be steeling cattle, however these complaints were cancelled a few days later. If nothing else, this would seem to indicate a level of contempt and distrust towards the native population regardless, these complaints and issues kept the army in the Mojave desert busy.
In 1865, two men started a mining operation at the Rock Springs location. While the two men were away, their buildings burnt and their supplies stolen. The two men immediately became very vocal in their complaints that the government was developing the area for the government while not protective the investment of the miners. Soon after the miners fled the area, Camp Rock Springs became and official post of the army, and is described as “On the desert . . . very disagreeable place for the troops” in a government report.
The camp was quickly built using local building materials, however the high cost of operating the camp and the scarcity of water, despite the spring, caused the camp to close in 1868. The duties of Camp Rock were taken over by the Camp at Marl Springs.
The site now does still have some water, and is a small oasis in the desert. The spring does not travel more than 50 feet into the canyon before the desert claims it again. The Camp, like the soldiers is long gone.
Government Holes
The tale of the the Old Mojave Road is the story of water, the more important resource in the desert. Along the Old Mojave Road trail is the Government Holes water stop. Long abandoned, the site still contains a wind mill, a corral and a few watering holes. This quiet remote location was even the site of a gunfight.
The story of the American West is the story ongoing and continued conflicts between the Native Americans and settlers and this holds was also true for the Mojave desert. In 1858 the Mohave tribe attack various wagon trains, which prompted a military response from the U.S. Government. Major William Hoffman and over 600 men were dispatched to the Colorado River which is the homeland of the Mohave Tribe. Major Hoffman demand the Mohave surrender to which the tribe relented. Major Hoffman next established a post on the eastern bank of the Colorado River which developed into Fort Mojave. To support this new fort, regular supply wagon trains from Los Angeles were required to travel east through the Mojave Desert until the Civil War. Improvements to the wagon trail included a water stop which became known as Government Holes.
By the 1870s, steamboats on the Colorado supplied Fort Mojave and the Mojave Road became a highway for miners, prospectors, and ranchers. In 1883 the Southern Pacific / Atlantic & Pacific Railroad took up the majority of traffic. Throughout the 1800’s the Mojave was an open range, and cattle and livestock grazing was a source of money and food. As with many human endeavors, smaller operations consolidate into larger companies. These companies worked to claim ownership of land and most importantly water rights.
Homesteaders were in conflict with the Cattle Companies, when the homesteaders stake claims on the best grazing territory. Homesteaders crops were trampled by the cattle, and the cattle companies denied the homesteaders access to water. The homesteaders responded by taking their portion of beef from the herd. All of this game to a head when a gun fight broke out between Matt Burts and J. W. “Bill” Robinson on November 8th, 1925. Both men died in the fight, and may be one of the last of the “old west” gunfights and the plot of a lot of Hollywood movies.
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Travelers Monument
When travelling the Old Mojave Road, there is a tradition to pick and carry a rock, and carry the rock to the Travelers Monument. The monument is located about half way along the Old Mojave Road, just south of the town of Baker in the dry soda lake.
Prior to our trip, my son took great time choosing the rock that we would contribute to the monument. There were at least three re-picks for him to find the perfect stone. Throughout our travels on that day, he took great delight in watching the stone which was on the floor below his feet. It was a long day of waiting for him.
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