Rox is a minor extinct settlement (ghost town) in Lincoln County, Nevada, at coordinates approximately 36°52′51″N 114°40′02″W and an elevation of 1,913 ft (583 m). It lies along the historic San Pedro, Los Angeles and Salt Lake Railroad (later part of the Union Pacific system) in a remote, rocky area of the county.
History
The first settlement at Rox occurred around 1902, likely tied to the development of the railroad line through the region. The community took its name from the rocky condition of the original town site.
A post office operated at Rox from 1921 until 1949, serving what was probably a small railroad siding, section crew, or ranching-related community. Like many minor Nevada stops, it never grew into a significant town and faded as rail operations modernized and local economic activity declined.
Rox appears in railroad records and maps as a stop or siding along the main line (sometimes referenced in the context of the Los Angeles and Salt Lake Railroad route). It is one of the lesser-known and least-documented sites among Lincoln County’s numerous ghost towns and railroad-related locations (others nearby or similar include Carp, Leith, and various sidings in Rainbow Canyon or Meadow Valley areas).
Today, Rox is fully abandoned with minimal or no visible structures remaining, typical of small railroad ghost towns that lacked major mining booms or sustained agriculture.
Buildings and Infrastructure (Build List)
Information on specific buildings is extremely limited due to Rox’s obscurity and small scale. No major ruins, mines, or notable structures are widely documented in historical sources or ghost town guides:
- Railroad siding/tracks and associated facilities — Basic infrastructure for the San Pedro, Los Angeles & Salt Lake Railroad (early 1900s onward), likely including a section house, water tank, or basic maintenance facilities for track crews.
- Post office — Operated 1921–1949; probably housed in a small building or home.
- Possible residences or support buildings — Modest homes or cabins for railroad workers, ranchers, or a tiny population (one early reference notes a population around 33, though this may be approximate or outdated).
Any remnants would likely consist of foundations, scattered debris, or railroad-related artifacts. Comprehensive ghost town surveys (e.g., from sites like nvtami.com) do not highlight Rox with photos or detailed ruins, underscoring its minor status.
Notable Citizens and Events
No prominent or notable citizens are recorded in available historical accounts. Rox lacked the mining rushes, violence, or economic prominence of larger Lincoln County sites like Pioche, Delamar (“The Widow Maker”), or Bullionville. It appears to have been a quiet, functional railroad and possibly ranching support point rather than a boomtown.
No major events (e.g., strikes, fires, famous visits, or disasters) are documented. Its history is one of quiet existence tied to the railroad’s operation through southern Nevada’s challenging terrain.
Context in Lincoln County
Lincoln County features dozens of ghost towns and historic sites, many tied to 19th-century silver mining (e.g., Pioche) or Mormon settlement and ranching. Rox represents the later railroad era (early 20th century), when lines like the SPLA&SL opened up remote areas for transport, ranching, and small-scale support communities. Nearby areas include Meadow Valley Wash and other railroad sidings.