Tag: Clark County

Clark County, Nevada, encompasses the vibrant heart of Las Vegas, one of the world’s most renowned entertainment and resort destinations. Stretching beyond the glitz of the Las Vegas Strip, the area boasts diverse landscapes that range from the Mojave Desert’s arid expanses to the towering peaks of the Spring Mountains. Its county seat, Las Vegas, pulsates with a dynamic nightlife, iconic casinos, and a multitude of entertainment options. Beyond the urban sprawl, the county offers natural wonders like Red Rock Canyon National Conservation Area, showcasing stunning geological formations and outdoor recreational opportunities. Clark County blends the allure of a bustling metropolis with the tranquility of its desert surroundings, making it a unique and multifaceted destination in the American Southwest.

Callville, Nevada – Colorado River Steamship Landing

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Callville Nevada is a ghost town and Colorado River Steamboat port, which is now submerged below the waters of Lake Mead. Bishop Anson Call founded and established a colony and warehouse on the Colorado River at the direction of the Mormon Leader Brigham Young. The settlement was located about 15 miles up river from the location of the future site of Hoover Damn.

Call's Landing or Callville looking toward the west as it appeared in 1926 - Photo courtesy of R. F. Perkins
Call’s Landing or Callville looking toward the west as it appeared in 1926 – Photo courtesy of R. F. Perkins
Bishop Anson Call, Mormon Colonizer, May 13, 1810 – August 31, 1890
Bishop Anson Call, Mormon Colonizer, May 13, 1810 – August 31, 1890

Callville was established on December 2, 1864 when Anson Call arrived on a small bluff over looking the Colorado River in the Arizona Territory. The settlement was located at the conjunction of the later named Callville wash and the Colorado River.

The founding of the settlement was the churches effort to expand trade routes and European immigration into Utah from the south. The small portgage and landing site was one of several along the Colorado including St. Thomas, Saint Joseph, Overton, West Point, Mill Point ( Simonsville ) and Rioville.

During the Civil War, the army of the United States garrisoned at the site, to protect the Colorado River Steamboats and serve as a landing point for army. In December 1865, the outpost had the honor to become the county seat for Pah-Ute County, Arizona Territory. The station was short lived and transferred to St Thomas just two years later.

In 1869, the army garrison was removed. Following the war, Congress redrew some of the state boundaries and the settlement in the Arizona Territory is moved to Nevada. From 1866 to 1878, the landing at Callville was the High Water of Navigation for steamboat traffic on the Colorado River, which is 408 miles from Fort Yuma. The town was abandoned in June 1869 when the Steamships discontinued service to the site.

Today, the town lies in under 400 feet of water. However, the water levels in Lake Mead are at an all time low, and St. Thomas is currently above water.

“Take a suitable company, locate a road to the Colorado, explore the river, find a suitable place for a warehouse, build it, and form a settlement at or near the landing.” 

Brigham Young instructing Anson Call, 1864

Town Summary

LocationCallville
LocationLake Mead, Clark County, Nevada
Latitude, Longitude36.1133128, -114.6888720
GNIS863773
Other Common NamesCall’s Fort, Old Callville

Callville Map

Resources

Rioville, Nevada – Colorado Steamship Landing

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Rioville, Nevada, was a small, short-lived settlement and ferry landing located at the confluence of the Virgin River (also called the Rio Virgin) and the Colorado River in Clark County. Originally established as Junction City by Mormon pioneers in the late 1860s, it was later renamed Rioville in the 1880s. The site served as an important transportation hub, supporting river navigation, ferrying, and mining activities in the surrounding desert region. Today, Rioville no longer exists above water; its location (approximately 36°9′0″N 114°23′57″W) lies submerged beneath the waters of Lake Mead, formed by the construction of Hoover Dam in the 1930s.

Rioville, Nevada also known as Bonelli's Landing, circa 1900
Rioville, Nevada also known as Bonelli’s Landing, circa 1900

Founding and Early Settlement (1860s–1870s)

Mormon settlers (Latter-day Saints) founded Junction City around 1869 as a peripheral outpost connected to the Muddy Mission. At the time, the pioneers believed the site fell within Utah Territory, part of broader efforts by the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints to establish agricultural communities in the arid Southwest under the direction of Brigham Young. The location offered access to river water for potential farming in an otherwise harsh desert environment.

Some accounts date initial activity as early as 1865, with the small crossing initially associated with Stone’s Ferry. The first wave of settlers largely abandoned the site by 1871 due to challenges such as isolation, environmental difficulties, and shifting territorial realities (the area was confirmed to be in Nevada).

Key Figure: Daniel Bonelli and the Ferry Era

Swiss-born Mormon pioneer Daniel Bonelli played a central role in the settlement’s revival and development. Sent to the area by Brigham Young, Bonelli purchased the rights to Stone’s Ferry around 1870. He relocated and renamed the operation Bonelli’s Ferry (sometimes called Bonelli’s Landing), moving the crossing adjacent to Junction City by 1876. The ferry provided a critical crossing for travelers, wagons, and goods across the Colorado River system, charging fees such as $10 for a wagon and two persons (plus additional per person).

Bonelli’s efforts transformed the modest outpost into a functional river port. He later established a post office in 1881 and served as postmaster until his death at Rioville in 1903.

The original ferry boat at Bonelli's Landing - 1890
The original ferry boat at Bonelli’s Landing – 1890

Development, Economy, and Peak Activity (1870s–1880s)

A second wave of settlers arrived in the early 1880s, leading to the town’s renaming as Rioville (reflecting its position along the “Rio” or river). The post office, operational from 1881 to 1906, formalized the community.

Rioville’s primary economic importance stemmed from its role in transportation and mining support:

  • Ferry and River Navigation: It functioned as a vital ferry landing.
  • Steamboat Hub: On July 8, 1879, Captain Jack Mellon piloted the steamboat Gila upriver through Boulder Canyon, making Rioville the uppermost practical landing and head of navigation on the Colorado River (roughly 440 miles from Fort Yuma). Steamboats like the Gila (during high water) and the sloop Sou’Wester (during low water) operated from 1879 onward. They transported locally mined salt downstream to El Dorado Canyon, where it was used to process silver ore. This activity peaked until silver mining declined around 1887.

The settlement supported limited agriculture, salt mining, and overland travel in the remote region near what would later become Lake Mead National Recreation Area.

Decline and Abandonment (1890s–1930s)

As silver mining activity in the region waned by the late 1880s and early 1890s, river traffic and economic activity at Rioville diminished sharply. The town was largely abandoned by the 1890s, though a small presence lingered. The post office continued until 1906, and Bonelli’s Ferry remained in operation—serving occasional travelers—until 1934.

The final chapter came with the construction of Hoover Dam (completed in 1936). Rising waters behind the dam flooded the site, submerging Rioville and Bonelli’s Ferry beneath Lake Mead. The location is now part of Lake Mead National Recreation Area and is inaccessible except to divers or those with specialized knowledge of its submerged history.

Legacy

Though never a large town, Rioville illustrates the challenges and ingenuity of early Mormon settlement in southern Nevada, the importance of river-based transportation before railroads and modern dams, and the transformative impact of federal infrastructure projects like Hoover Dam on the Colorado River landscape. Its story connects to broader themes in Clark County history, including the Muddy Mission settlements, mining booms in nearby districts (such as Eldorado Canyon), and the creation of Lake Mead. Artifacts and records, including ferry ledgers and rare photographs, are preserved in collections such as those at the University of Nevada, Las Vegas Special Collections. The site remains a “lost river town” and underwater ghost town, symbolizing how human endeavors in the arid West were often reshaped—or erased—by the region’s powerful rivers and 20th-century engineering.

Town Summary

NameRioville, Nevada
LocationUnderwater Lake Mead, Clark County, Nevada
Latitude, Longitude36.1502603, -114.3994176
GNIS849516
Post Office 1881-1906
StatusVery Wet
Also known asJunction City, Junctionville

Town Map

Resources

Anniversary Mine and Narrows

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The narrows near the Anniversary Mine are a fun place to hike and keep cool. Lake Mead National Recreation Area, Nevada
The narrows near the Anniversary Mine are a fun place to hike and keep cool. Lake Mead National Recreation Area, Nevada

The Anniversary Mine and Narrows trail is truly a fun place to go and the location has a little bit of everything. This is a very short side trail found off the northern shore of Lake Mead and suitable for almost any vehicle.

Located in the Muddy Mountain Wilderness of the Lake Mead National Recreation Area, the Anniversary Mine was founded in 1921.  The colomanite mine operated at seven years until 1928 and produced an estimation 200,000 tons of ore.  The mine is located a short ways off North Shore Road (167).  There exist some foundations, and tunnels along with some minor infrastructure of the operation.

The narrows near the Anniversary Mine are a fun place to hike and keep cool. Lake Mead National Recreation Area, Nevada
The narrows near the Anniversary Mine are a fun place to hike and keep cool. Lake Mead National Recreation Area, Nevada

Should you drive down into the wash you have the opportunity to continue on to the left, or you can turn right and drive towards the mine narrows located at the end of the canyon.  The only obstacle is right at the beginning and and easy to get past with some clearance. Once past the trail is just a wash, but do yourself a favor.  Park the 4×4 and take the time to walk it. Just past the beginning obstacle, there are some tunnels about 20 feet up on the side of the canyon wall, which are fun hike up to and explore.

Leaving the side trail from the Anniversary Mine, Lake Mead National Recreation Area.
Leaving the side trail from the Anniversary Mine, Lake Mead National Recreation Area.

There are things to explore all along the route to the narrows and it is a great excuse the get out of the truck.  The slot canyon is about 1/4 of a mile in length and a bit tight in the few places. This is a nice place to hike on a hot day.

Anniversary Mine 4×4 Trail and Destination

Goodsprings, Nevada

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Goodsprings is an unincorporated community and census-designated place (CDP) in Clark County, southern Nevada, located in Goodsprings Valley at the southeastern foothills of the Spring Mountains. Situated along Nevada State Route 161, about five miles northeast of Jean and Interstate 15 (roughly 30-45 minutes southwest of Las Vegas), it sits at an elevation of 3,717 feet in an arid desert environment. Once the heart of one of Clark County’s most productive mining districts, Goodsprings thrived as a boomtown in the early 20th century before declining into a small, semi-preserved settlement often described as a “living ghost town.” As of the 2020 census, its population was 162.

Goodsprings, Nevada - 1924
Goodsprings, Nevada – 1924

Pre-History and Early Settlement (Pre-1900)

The area around Goodsprings has long been a rare water source in the Mojave Desert. Indigenous peoples, including the Ancient Puebloans and later the Paiute, used the natural springs seasonally. White settlers first documented the springs in 1830 along the Old Spanish Trail.

Mining in the broader region began in 1856 when Mormon miners established a lead operation at nearby Potosi Mountain—possibly Nevada’s oldest underground lode mine. Gold was discovered in the area in 1893. In the 1860s, cattleman Joseph Good discovered silver near the springs (sometimes dated to 1861 or 1868) and established a small store while using the water for his herd. The settlement was initially called “Good’s Springs” or “Goods Springs” in his honor. By 1868, additional silver and lead deposits attracted more prospectors, forming a rudimentary mining camp. The Yellow Pine Mining District (also known as the Goodsprings Mining District) was formally organized around 1882 following further gold discoveries.

Before 1900, the area consisted mainly of tent cabins and a small mill. A post office opened in 1899 (initially at the nearby Keystone Mine, later relocated), and Lincoln County established Goodsprings Township. In 1904, Salt Lake City mining interests platted the township. Early structures were limited until transportation improved.

An old water tower located inside Goodspings, Nevada
An old water tower located inside Goodspings, Nevada

The Mining Boom and Peak Prosperity (1900s–1920s)

The arrival of railroads transformed Goodsprings. The San Pedro, Los Angeles & Salt Lake Railroad (later Union Pacific) reached nearby Jean in 1905. In 1911, the narrow-gauge Yellow Pine Railroad connected the mines to Jean, drastically reducing ore transport costs and spurring construction of permanent buildings. The Yellow Pine Mining Company consolidated claims in 1909, operating a mill and focusing on oxidized zinc, lead, silver, copper, and gold.

World War I dramatically boosted the economy, as demand for lead (for ammunition) and zinc surged. By 1916–1918, the population peaked at around 800 (some accounts cite up to 1,000), supporting a developed downtown with a hospital, luxury hotel, post office, weekly newspaper (Goodsprings Gazette, 1918–1921), stores, churches, and multiple saloons. The district became Clark County’s most productive, yielding a total of approximately $25 million in minerals—primarily lead and zinc, with lesser amounts of gold, silver, copper, and rarer elements like molybdenum, vanadium, nickel, cobalt, platinum, palladium, and uranium. It represented the greatest variety of minerals in Nevada.

Key Infrastructure and Landmarks Built During the Boom

1916: The 20-room Fayle Hotel (considered one of Nevada’s finest at the time, with modern amenities; destroyed by fire in 1966).

1913: The Pioneer Saloon (built by Clark County Commissioner George Fayle using prefabricated stamped-tin construction), General Store, and Community Church. The saloon, Nevada’s oldest continuously operating bar in southern Nevada, featured an original cherry-wood bar and quickly became the social hub.

1913: Goodsprings Schoolhouse (the oldest school in Clark County built specifically as a school; still in use today and listed on the National Register of Historic Places).

The Pioneer Saloon located in Goodsprings, Nevada is still open and quite busy
The Pioneer Saloon located in Goodsprings, Nevada is still open and quite busy

Notable events include a 1915 saloon shooting during a card game (miner Paul Coski killed by Joe Armstrong; ruled self-defense, with bullet holes still visible) and the 1942 plane crash of actress Carole Lombard on nearby Mount Potosi. Her husband, Clark Gable, waited at the Fayle Hotel and Pioneer Saloon for news of the tragedy; a memorial to the victims remains in the saloon today.

Decline and Transition (1920s–1950s)

Post-World War I, falling metal prices led to mine closures and population decline (down to about 400 by 1920). The Yellow Pine Railroad ceased operations around 1930 (tracks removed by the mid-1930s). A brief resurgence occurred during World War II due to renewed demand, but mining largely ended by the 1950s. The town contracted but never fully vanished, unlike many desert boomtowns. Fires destroyed several structures, and atomic testing occurred in the region during the 1950s. By the late 20th century, fewer than 100–200 residents remained, living among preserved and restored buildings, mobile homes, and newer structures.

Modern Era and Preservation (1960s–Present)

Goodsprings endures as a quiet desert community with a focus on historic preservation. The Goodsprings Historical Society (established in the 1990s) works to educate the public, restore buildings (e.g., roof repairs), and maintain sites like the 1886 Campbell Stone Cabin (one of the oldest structures), the cemetery, and mill ruins. The Pioneer Saloon continues operating as a tourist draw, hosting events, filming locations (The Misfits, Fear and Loathing in Las Vegas), and even inspiring a recreation in the 2010 video game Fallout: New Vegas (which has boosted visitation through annual festivals since 2022).

In 2010, the Goodsprings Waste Heat Recovery Station (a 7.5 MW geothermal-style plant using pipeline waste heat) opened as Nevada’s first renewable energy facility of its kind. The town remains accessible for day trips from Las Vegas, with the saloon, schoolhouse, and surrounding desert landscape attracting history enthusiasts and off-roaders.

Conclusion

Goodsprings exemplifies the classic Nevada mining town arc: from obscure springs and prospector camps to wartime prosperity and eventual contraction, while retaining its historic character. Its $25+ million in mineral wealth, pioneering infrastructure, and resilient landmarks like the Pioneer Saloon underscore its significance in Clark County’s development. Today, it stands not as a fully abandoned ghost town but as a preserved chapter of the American West—tied to Indigenous heritage, railroad expansion, world wars, Hollywood tragedy, and modern tourism—offering a tangible link to Nevada’s rugged past amid the Mojave Desert.

Goodsprings Mines

  • Alice Mine
  • Argentina Mine
  • Belle Mine
  • Columbia Mine
  • Cosmopolitan Mine
  • Fredrickson Mine
  • Green Copper Mine
  • Hermosa Mine
  • Hoosier Mine
  • Iron gold Mine
  • Lookout Mine
  • Keystone Mine
  • Lavina Mine
  • Middlesex Mine
  • Surprise Mine
  • Table Top Mine
  • Yellow Pine
The mill site located just outside of Goodsprings, Nevada
The mill site located just outside of Goodsprings, Nevada

Goodsprings Nevada Trailmap

Nevada Ghost Towns and Mining Camps

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Nevada Ghost Towns and Mining Camps - By Stanley W. Paher
Nevada Ghost Towns and Mining Camps – By Stanley W. Paher

Nevada Ghost Towns and Mining Camps is a wonderful book written by Stanley W. Paher and published by Nevada Publications. The book is Copyright 1970 and contains 492 pages of “Brillantly illustrated with 700 historic and modern photographs; with numerous maps, complete index, appendix and bibliography.” This book contains information and stories from more than 575 mining sites and ghost towns in Nevada.

My copy of this book was purchased by my father for $15 at a thrift store. The pages are dog eared and well worn and covered in yellow post-it notes for later reference. The book is wonderfully organized, the source of a lot of great information about the early days of Nevada mining. The stories, photographs paint a fantastic picture of the rough and rugged individuals who settled my new home state. In many ways, the enjoyment and knowledge that I have, is based and builds upon the great work of Mr. Paher.

Stanley Paher grew up in Las Vegas, Nevada and jeeped thousands of miles over the rough roads of back country Nevada. He graduated from Sacramento State with a B.A. in English. He continued his educations at the University of Nevada, where, in 1969 he earned a Masters Degree in Political Science.

The book is available for purchase from Amazon and quite a hefty price on this writing, however you can find it much cheaper at various other online stores.

Anyone who is at all interested in ghost towns, mining or Nevada history really needs a copy of this book in his/her library.

700 photographs and maps both historic and modern make a fascinating detailed and accurately researched history of nearly 600 towns and camps. A must for collectors.

Book Summary

TitleNevada Ghost Towns and Mining Camps
AuthorStanley Paher
PublisherHowell North
Edition
Pages492 Pages
ISBN-13: 978-0913814048
ISBN-10: 0913814040

Additional Reading