Las Vegas and Tonopah Railroad

The Las Vegas and Tonopah Railroad was a standard gauge railroad which operated along 197 miles between the town of Las Vegas and Goldfield, NV. Despite the name of the route, service from Goldfield to Tonopah is complete on the Tonopah and Goldfield Railroad.

Rhyolite Train Depot is located at the north end of town in Rhyolite, Nye County, Nevada. - Photo by James L Rathbun
Rhyolite Train Depot for the Las Vegas and Tonopah Railroad is located at the north end of town in Rhyolite, Nye County, Nevada. – Photo by James L Rathbun

History

Railroad logo from a 1910 Las Vegas and Tonopah Railroad timetable.
Railroad logo from a 1910 Las Vegas and Tonopah Railroad timetable.

Despite a verbal agreement with Francis Marion Smith in April, 1905, William A Clark incorporated the Las Vegas and Tonopah Railroad on September 22, 1905. By this time, Borax Smith graded about 12 miles of the track route for his operations in Lila C, or Ryan as it would later be known.

Following a no-trespassing order served to Smith, Clark initial started laying track up the valley from Las Vegas on the route graded by Borax Smith. Track reached Indian Springs from Las Vegas on March 1st, 1906. By June, 30th, 1906 rail is laid down all the way to Rose’s Well. The route to Rhyolite, Nevada is completed in December 1906. During the height of construction, the track gangs were pushing the track forward at a rate of about 1.5 miles per day and complete the route into Goldfield in November, 1907. A financial panic of 1907 caused the failure of the town of Rhyolite which served a major blow to the newly complete line.

The LV & T is merged with the Bullfrog Goldfield Railroad in 1914 when it operated some 15 locomotives. Between December 1906 and February 1st, 1917, daily train service hauled passengers, mail and freight between Las Vegas and Beatty. After February 1917, only three trains ran per week until 1919 when the railroad is closed and scrapped.

The Las Vegas & Tonopah Railroad laid one mile of track per day, then two miles of track per day, in its hurry to connect Rhyolite with the outside world. The first train from the Las Vegas & Tonopah entered Rhyolite at 7 p.m. on December 14, 1906, with about 100 passengers.

Rhyolite Train Depot Marker

Las Vegas to Goldfield Route

The Las Vegas and Tonapah Railroad was 197 miles long 23 stops along the way. The trip took about 8 hours to complete with food service only being offered at Rhyolite.

  • Goldfield ( Mile 0 )
  • T & G Crossing ( Mile 1)
  • Red Rock ( Mile 4)
  • Ralston ( Mile 17 )
  • Stonewall ( Mile 21 )
  • Wagner ( Mile 28 )
  • San Carlos ( Mile 34 )
  • Bonnie Claire ( Mile 41 )
  • Midway ( Mile 43 )
  • Petersgold ( Mile 59 )
  • Mud Spring (Mile 65
  • Original ( Mile 70 )
  • Rhyolite ( Mile 74 )
  • Beatty ( Mile 79 )
  • Gold Center (Mile 81 )
  • Chloride ( Mile 87 )
  • Rosewell ( Mile 97 )
  • Canyon ( Mile 109 )
  • Amaragosa (Mile 122 )
  • Charleston ( Mile 138 )
  • Indian Spring ( Mile153 )
  • Owens ( Mile 169 )
  • Corn Creek ( Mile 174 )
  • Tule ( Mile 182 )
  • Las Vegas ( Mile 197 )

Summary

NameLas Vegas and Tonopah Railroad
LocationClark County, Nevada
Nye County, Nevada
Esmeralda County, Nevada
GaugeStandard Gauge
Length197 miles
Years of Operation1906–1918

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References

Barnwell and Searchlight Railroad

The Barnwell and Searchlight Railroad was a twenty three miles long railroad which connected Searchlight, Nevada to Barnwell California and the larger rail network of the Mojave Desert. Between 1907 and 1910, the gold mines of Searchlight produced $7 million dollars in gold and boasted a population of 1,500. Ore is shipped to Barnwell via the Barnwell and Searchlight rail service. In order to reduce costs, the Quartette company constructed a twenty-stamp mill on the Colorado River. The new mill utilized a 15 mile narrow gauge rail is constructed down to the mill in an attempt to further reduce costs. 

Following the discovery of gold in Searchlight in 1897 a gold rush brought industry into the high desert of the Mojave. In 1900, the Quartette Mining Company formed and within a short years a population of 5000 people works the area.

The Barnwell and Searchlight Railroad is formed in April 1906 at the height of the gold rush in Searchlight, Nevada. The twenty three miles of track are laid down between May 1st, 1906 and March 31st, 1907.  On April 7, 1907, just seven days after construction is completed the railway was leased by the California, Arizona and Santa Fe Railway

Barnwell and Searchlight Railroad
Barnwell and Searchlight Railroad

By 1919 trains travelled over the B. and S. Railroad only twice a week.  A severe washout on September 23, 1923, halted traffic completely.  Train service was never restored when the track is abandoned February 18, 1924. By this point, the population of Searchlight plummeted to just fifty people. Like many railroads, the valuable track was removed and recycled in other lines across the county.

Today, the rail route is a popular route for Mojave explorers and mountain bikers. The townsite is Juan is located along the route at the base of the Castle Mountains.

Barnwell and Searchlight Railroad

Railroad Summary

NameBarnwell and Searchlight Railroad
LocationSan Bernardino, California
Clark County, Nevada
Length23 miles
GaugeStandard
Date of OperationApril 16, 1906–December 28, 1911

References

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Old Spanish Trail (Garces Expedition)

Old Spanish Trail (Garces Expedition) is a Nevada State Historic Marker Number 140 located in Clark County, Nevada. This marker is one of several which tell the history of the Old Spanish Trail in Nevada.

The Old Spanish Trail is a 700 mile long historical trade route that connected the northern New Mexico settlements near Santa Fe, New Mexico with those of Los Angeles, California. The trail’s rugged terrain discouraged the use of wagons. It was always a pack route, mainly used by men and mules.

The routes and trails link California, Nevada, Arizona, Utah and Colorado. The Old Spanish Trail consists of a series and different trails and routes some of which are in service today.

Francisco Hermenegildo Tomás Garcés O.F.M. (April 12, 1738 – July 18, 1781)
Francisco Hermenegildo Tomás Garcés O.F.M. (April 12, 1738 – July 18, 1781)

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. These roadside markers bring attention to the places, people, and events that make up Nevada’s heritage. They are as diverse as the counties they are located within and range from the typical mining boom and bust town to the largest and most accessible petroglyph sites in Northern Nevada Budget cuts to the program caused the program to become dormant in 2009. Many of the markers are lost or damaged

Nevada State Historic Marker 140 Text

Seeking to open a land route between the missions of Sonora and California, Fray Francisco Hermenegildo Garcés, OFM, a Franciscan missionary priest and explorer, was the first European to enter the present boundaries of Nevada.  He departed mission San Xavier Del Bac near Tucson in October of 1775, and by late February of 1776, the Spanish Franciscan friar had reached the Mohave villages located just south of this location on the banks of the Colorado river.  Garcés was now traveling in areas never before seen by a non-native American.

Relying on Native American guides, he walked from village to village.  The Mohave agreed to lead him to the pacific coast along a route used for trade purposes.  It was from this general location, on March 4, 1776, accompanied by four natives, that Garcés left the banks of the Colorado and set out across the Mojave Desert; he reached Mission San Gabriel Arcángel 20 days later.  Upon his return, he again visited the Mohave villages in this vicinity in May of 1776.  His route followed a much older prehistoric trail used to bring shells and other trade goods to the tribes of the desert and mountain west.  On July 19, 1781, in a Quechan revolt against Spanish forces, Father Garcés was killed at La Purisima Concepción Mission near the Yuma crossing.  Padre Garcés’ body was later interred in the Franciscan church of the Colegio De La Santa Cruz, Querétaro, Mexico.

“Greater love hath no man than this – that a man lay down his life for his friends.”

                                                         Excerpts from Father Garcés’ diary

“I proceeded three leagues on the course northwest with some turns to the west-northwest.  I observed this locality to be in 35° 01′, and I named it San Pedro De Los Jamajabs.  In this situation and that below there are good mesas for the foundation of missions, and though they are near the river, they are free from inundation”.

      Father Garcés’ Entrance into Nevada (March 3, 1776)

“March 4, on which was made the observation noted on the 3rd day.  I departed, accompanied by three Jamajab Indians and by Sevastian, on a course southwest, and at two leagues and a half arrived at some wells [which I named Pozos De San Casimiro].  There is some grass”.

      Father Garcés’ Departure from Nevada (March 4, 1776)

STATE HISTORICAL MARKER NO.  140
STATE HISTORIC PRESERVATION OFFICE
SAINT THOMAS MORE SOCIETY OF NEVADA

Nevada State Historic Marker 140 Trail Map

Nevada State Historic Marker 140 Summary

NameOld Spanish Trail (Garces Expedition)
LocationClark County, Nevada
Latitude, Longitude35.0975, -114.6495
Nevada Stage Historic Marker140

References

Old Spanish Trail (Journey of the Dead Man)

Old Spanish Trail (Journey of the Dead Man) is a Nevada State Historic Marker Number 139 located in Clark County, Nevada. This marker is one of several which tell the history of the Old Spanish Trail in Nevada.

The Old Spanish Trail is a 700 mile long historical trade route that connected the northern New Mexico settlements near Santa Fe, New Mexico with those of Los Angeles, California. The trail’s rugged terrain discouraged the use of wagons. It was always a pack route, mainly used by men and mules.

The routes and trails link California, Nevada, Arizona, Utah and Colorado. The Old Spanish Trail consists of a series and different trails and routes some of which are in service today.

Captain John C. Frémont, explorer first mapped Diamond Valley Nevada
Captain John C. Frémont, explorer first mapped Diamond Valley Nevada

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. These roadside markers bring attention to the places, people, and events that make up Nevada’s heritage. They are as diverse as the counties they are located within and range from the typical mining boom and bust town to the largest and most accessible petroglyph sites in Northern Nevada Budget cuts to the program caused the program to become dormant in 2009. Many of the markers are lost or damaged.

Nevada State Historic Marker 139 Text

Early Spanish traders named the fifty-five dry miles separating Las Vegas and the Muddy River the Journada Del Muerto (Journey of The Dead Man).  This longest stretch without water along the Old Spanish Trail was littered with the skeletons of animals and parts of wagons abandoned along the sandy desert.  Most experienced travelers made the trip at night.

John C. Frémont crossed the Journada in 1844 and commented: “We ate the barrel cactus and moistened our mouths with the acid of the sour dock. Hourly expecting to find water, we continued to press on to midnight, when after a hard and uninterrupted march of 16 hours, our wild mules began running ahead; and in a mile or two we came to a bold running stream (the Muddy River).” 

STATE HISTORICAL MARKER No. 139
STATE HISTORIC PRESERVATION OFFICE

Nevada State Historic Marker 139 Map

Nevada State Historic Marker Number 139 is located off Interstate 15 north of Las Vegas. The marker is located about 1/4 mile south of the I-15 in Nevada State Route 169.

Nevada State Historic Marker 139 Summary

NameOld Spanish Trail (Journey of the Dead Man)
LocationClark County, Nevada
Nevada State Historic Marker138
Latitude, Longitude36.5010, -114.7605

References


  

Gypsum Cave – Nevada State Historical Marker 103

Camp of the archaeologists.  The Entrance to Gypsum cave is above and to the left of the camp.  Desert Magazine, April, 1940
Camp of the archaeologists. The Entrance to Gypsum cave is above and to the left of the camp. Desert Magazine, April, 1940

Gypsum Cave, located in the Mojave Desert of Clark County, Nevada and the subject of Nevada State Historic Marker number 103. The cave system is a significant archaeological site known for its rich history and diverse ecological significance. The dry, cool air within the cave allowed for the mummification of Pleistocene fossils and most notably soft tissue, hair, and dung. The mummification process of this material allowed for the preservation of DNA from over 11,000 years ago. The cave has garnered attention from both scientists and archaeologists due to its well-preserved ancient artifacts and evidence of prehistoric human occupation.

Geological Features

Gypsum Cave is characterized by its unique geology, primarily comprising gypsum deposits. The cave formation is attributed to the dissolution of gypsum by water, leading to the creation of intricate patterns and formations within the cave. These formations include stalactites, stalagmites, and gypsum flowers, contributing to the aesthetic appeal and scientific interest of the cave.

Historical Significance

The cave holds immense historical significance due to its association with the ancient inhabitants of the region. Archaeological excavations have revealed evidence of human occupation dating back to the prehistoric era. The discovery of well-preserved artifacts, such as stone tools, hearths, and rock art, has provided valuable insights into the lifestyles and cultural practices of the early inhabitants, including the Paleo-Indians and the Ancient Puebloans.

Ecological Importance

Apart from its archaeological value, Gypsum Cave also supports unique ecological communities. The cave ecosystem sustains various species of microorganisms, insects, and small mammals adapted to the cave environment. Additionally, the surrounding Mojave Desert landscape harbors a diverse range of plant and animal species, contributing to the overall biodiversity of the region.

From the National Survey of Historic Sites and Buildings. Caves.
From the National Survey of Historic Sites and Buildings. Caves.

Presently, ongoing research initiatives focus on further exploring the archaeological remains within Gypsum Cave to deepen our understanding of the early human presence in the area. The preservation of the cave’s delicate ecosystem and archaeological resources remains a key priority for conservation efforts. Collaborative measures involving government agencies, local communities, and research institutions aim to establish sustainable preservation strategies while promoting responsible tourism and public education about the cave’s significance.

Gypsum Cave stands as a testament to the rich history and geological diversity of the Nevada region. Its unique blend of geological formations, historical artifacts, and ecological significance continues to inspire scientific inquiry and foster a deeper appreciation for the cultural heritage and natural wonders of the area. Continued efforts to preserve and study Gypsum Cave will contribute to our understanding of early human civilizations and the intricate balance of ecosystems within cave environments.

Nevada State Historic Marker Location

Nevada State Historic Marker 103 Text

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. These roadside markers bring attention to the places, people, and events that make up Nevada’s heritage. They are as diverse as the counties they are located within and range from the typical mining boom and bust town to the largest and most accessible petroglyph sites in Northern Nevada Budget cuts to the program caused the program to become dormant in 2009. Many of the markers are lost or damaged.

Gypsum Cave was once thought to be one of the oldest aboriginal sites in North America.  The cave is 300 feet long and 120 feet wide and is filled with dry, dusty deposits in all six rooms.

When excavated in 1930-31, the cave yielded the skull, backbone, nine to twelve-inch claws, reddish-brown hair and fibrous dung of the giant ground sloth, a vegetarian species common in the more moist environment known here about 7,500 to 9,500 years ago.  Bones from extinct forms of the horse and camel were also found.

Pieces of painted dart shafts, torches, stone points, yucca fiber string and other artifacts were found mixed in with the sloth dung.  When the dung was dated at 8,500 B.C. by the radiocarbon method, it was believed the man-made tools were the same age.  Two radiocarbon dates on the artifacts themselves, however, indicate that the ground sloth and man were not contemporaneous inhabitants of the cave.  Man probably made use of the cave beginning about 3,000 B.C., long after the ground sloths had abandoned it.

Nevada State Historic Marker Summary

NameThe Gypsum Cave
LocationClark County, Nevada
Latitude, Longitude36.2318, -114.8829
Nevada State Historic Marker Number103, Marker is missing
National Register of Historic Places10000443

References