Tag: Elko county

Elko County, located in northeastern Nevada, is renowned for its rugged natural beauty and rich mining history. Spanning vast stretches of high desert and mountain ranges, including the Ruby Mountains and the Jarbidge Wilderness, the region offers outdoor enthusiasts opportunities for hiking, fishing, and exploring pristine wilderness areas. The city of Elko serves as the county seat, known for its annual National Cowboy Poetry Gathering and as a hub of Western culture. Mining plays a crucial role in the county’s economy, with gold, silver, and other minerals being extracted from its mineral-rich lands. The area blends scenic landscapes with a deep-rooted Western heritage, making it a distinctive destination in the Great Basin region.

Jarbidge Community Hall – Nevada State Historic Marker 153

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The Jarbidge Community Hall is a central gathering place for the residents of Jarbidge, Nevada. Built in 1939, the hall has served as a venue for community events, meetings, and social gatherings for more than 80 years. The hall is located on the main street of Jarbidge, and its distinctive Art Deco design makes it a landmark in the town.

The history of the Jarbidge Community Hall is intertwined with the history of the town itself. Jarbidge was founded in the late 19th century, during Nevada’s mining boom. The town was named after a nearby creek, and its population grew rapidly as miners flocked to the area in search of gold and silver.

Jarbidge Community Hall, Jarbidge, Elko county, Nevada
Jarbidge Community Hall, Jarbidge, Elko county, Nevada

By the early 20th century, Jarbidge had become an important mining town, with several mines operating in the area. The town’s population peaked in the 1920s, with around 1,500 residents. During this time, the town was home to several businesses, including hotels, saloons, and general stores.

However, the Great Depression hit Jarbidge hard, and the town’s mining industry began to decline. By the late 1930s, many of the mines had closed, and the town’s population had dwindled to just a few hundred people.

Despite the difficult times, the residents of Jarbidge remained committed to their community. In 1939, they came together to build a place to gather within the town. The building was designed by local architect Paul Revere Williams, who was one of the few African American architects working in the United States at the time. Williams was known for his Art Deco designs, and the Jarbidge Community Hall is one of his few surviving buildings in Nevada.

The Jarbidge Community Hall was built using local materials, including stone from a nearby quarry and wood from the surrounding forests. The hall’s Art Deco style is evident in its streamlined design, geometric shapes, and use of decorative elements such as the zigzag patterns on the building’s façade.

Over the years, the building has served as a venue for a wide range of events. In the early days, it was used for dances, social gatherings, and community meetings. During World War II, it was used as a venue for USO shows and other events to support the war effort. In the decades that followed, it continued to be a central gathering place for the residents of Jarbidge, hosting everything from weddings and birthday parties to town meetings and political rallies.

Today, the Jarbidge Community Hall remains an important part of the town’s identity. It is still used for community events and social gatherings, and it serves as a reminder of the town’s rich history and strong sense of community. The hall has been listed on the National Register of Historic Places since 1990, and it is considered one of the most significant Art Deco buildings in rural Nevada.

In recent years, the Jarbidge Community Hall has undergone several renovations to ensure that it remains a functional and attractive venue for the town’s residents. The building’s stone façade has been restored, and the interior has been updated with new flooring and lighting. The hall is now fully accessible, with a wheelchair ramp and updated restrooms.

Despite its small size, the Jarbidge Community Hall is a testament to the resilience and determination of the people of Jarbidge. It is a symbol of the town’s enduring spirit and its commitment to preserving its history and traditions for future generations.

Nevada State Historic Marker Text

Gold discoveries by Dave Bourne in 1909 created the town of Jarbidge.

With 1,500 population in Jarbidge Canyon by 1910, citizens built this pioneer-type community hail with a “floating” maple floor.  Support from the Nevada Commission for Cultural Affairs and the community funded the restoration of the building.

STATE HISTORIC MARKER NO.  153
STATE HISTORIC PRESERVATION OFFICE
JARBIDGE COMMERCIAL HALL FUND AND IMPROVEMENT CLUB

Nevada State Historic Marker 153 Location

Jarbidge Community Hall Summary

NameJarbidge Community Hall
LocationJarbidge, Elko County, Nevada
Latitude, Longitude41.8783, -115.4303
Nevada State Historic Maker 153

References

The Times Review

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The Tuscarora Times-Review was a significant publication in the small mining town of Tuscarora, Nevada, during the late 19th and early 20th centuries. Operating from 1887 to 1903, the newspaper served as a vital source of local, regional, and national news for a community centered around the silver and gold mining industry. This report explores the newspaper’s history, its role in the community, its publishers, and its legacy, drawing on available historical records.

Background and Establishment

The Tuscarora Times-Review was established in Tuscarora, Nevada, a town founded in 1867 after gold discoveries by brothers John and Steven Beard. The town’s name was inspired by a U.S. gunboat, itself named after the Tuscarora Indigenous people of North Carolina. A major silver strike in 1871 spurred the town’s growth, relocating it to its present site on the slopes of Mount Blitzen. By the 1880s, Tuscarora was a bustling mining community, necessitating a local newspaper to document its activities and connect residents with broader events.

The newspaper succeeded the Tuscarora Times and Mining Review (1883–1886) and began publication on January 3, 1887, under the editorship of O.L.C. Fairchild. It was published weekly, starting with volume 18, number 19, indicating continuity from its predecessor. The Times-Review ran until December 26, 1903, covering a 16-year period marked by the rise and decline of Tuscarora’s mining economy.

Publication Details

  • Publication Period: January 3, 1887 – December 26, 1903
  • Frequency: Weekly
  • Volume Range: Vol. 18, no. 19 (Jan. 3, 1887) to Vol. 47, no. 35 (Dec. 26, 1903)
  • Publishers:
    • O.L.C. Fairchild (1887–unknown period)
    • Bingham Bros. (June 15, 1887 – November 17, 1900)
    • T.C. Plunkett & Son (November 20, 1900 – July 16, 1903)
    • W.D. Plunkett (July 18, 1903 – December 26, 1903)
  • Note on Errors: The newspaper was known to have frequent misnumbering of issues, a common issue in small-town publications of the era.

The Tuscarora Times-Review was a four-page newspaper, typical of frontier publications, featuring local news, mining reports, advertisements, and stories from the broader American West. Its rarity is noted, as newspapers west of the Mississippi before 1900 are scarce, making surviving issues valuable historical artifacts.

Role in the Community

The Tuscarora Times-Review played a crucial role in documenting life in Tuscarora during its mining boom. It covered topics such as:

  • Mining Industry: Reports on silver and gold strikes, mine operations, and economic developments were central, reflecting the town’s primary industry. The newspaper’s proximity to the Tuscarora volcanic field, a hub for Eocene-era epithermal deposits, underscores its focus on mining news.
  • Local Events: Social gatherings, community disputes, and daily life, including issues like “Trouble with Tramps,” were regular features.
  • Wildlife and Environment: The newspaper occasionally reported on fish and game, reflecting the region’s natural resources and their importance to residents. References to these topics from 1884–1903 are preserved in the Fred Wright Collection at the University of Nevada, Reno.
  • Advertisements: Local businesses, saloons, and services advertised in the paper, providing insight into the town’s economy and culture.

As one of the few communication channels in a remote area, the newspaper connected Tuscarora’s residents—miners, merchants, and families—to each other and the outside world. Its coverage of “cowboys, Indians, saloons, gold miners, and gunfights” captures the quintessential Old West atmosphere of the time.

Challenges and Decline

The Times-Review faced challenges typical of frontier newspapers, including limited resources, small staff, and reliance on a fluctuating local economy. The frequent change in publishers suggests financial or operational difficulties. By the early 1900s, Tuscarora’s mining industry began to wane, reducing the town’s population and economic vitality. This decline likely contributed to the newspaper’s cessation in 1903, as the community could no longer sustain a local publication.

Archival Preservation

Surviving issues of the Tuscarora Times-Review are held in various libraries and archives, as documented by the Library of Congress’s Chronicling America project. The newspaper is also referenced in the University of Nevada, Reno’s Special Collections, particularly for its wildlife-related content. Researchers can access these materials on-site, though some collections are restricted under state or federal law.

The Library of Congress provides a MARCXML record for the Times-Review, and Chronicling America offers digitized pages from 1756–1963, though not all issues may be available. The newspaper’s historical significance is enhanced by its inclusion in these collections, ensuring its availability for future study.

Legacy

The Tuscarora Times-Review remains a valuable primary source for understanding life in a late-19th-century Nevada mining town. Its reports offer insights into the social, economic, and environmental dynamics of Tuscarora, as well as the broader American West. The newspaper’s focus on mining aligns with the region’s geological significance, as evidenced by modern studies of the Tuscarora Au-Ag District.

Today, Tuscarora is a near-ghost town, with picturesque ruins and a functioning post office as remnants of its past. The Times-Review encapsulates the town’s vibrant history, preserving stories of a community shaped by the pursuit of precious metals. Its legacy endures through archival collections and the continued interest in Nevada’s mining heritage.

Conclusion

The Tuscarora Times-Review (1887–1903) was more than a local newspaper; it was a chronicle of a fleeting era in Tuscarora, Nevada. Through its pages, historians glimpse the triumphs and struggles of a mining community in the American West. Despite its short lifespan and operational challenges, the newspaper’s preserved issues remain a testament to the resilience and spirit of Tuscarora’s residents. As part of broader archival efforts, the Times-Review continues to inform and inspire research into Nevada’s rich historical tapestry.

Sources

  • Chronicling America, Library of Congress
  • Timothy Hughes Rare & Early Newspapers
  • University of Nevada, Reno, Special Collections Department
  • ResearchGate, Tuscarora Au-Ag District
  • Travel Nevada, Tuscarora History

Jackson Lee Davis “Diamondfield Jack”

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Jackson Lee “Diamondfield Jack” Davis who was pardoned for murder in Idaho and moved to Nevada where he founded several mining camps. Davis was a hired gun who worked for the cattlemen “protecting” cattle herds and their grazing land from sheep famers.

Jackson Lee "Diamondfield Jack" Davis (12 Aug 1863–2 Jan 1949)
Jackson Lee “Diamondfield Jack” Davis (12 Aug 1863–2 Jan 1949)

In 1895, Davis is hired by the Sparks-Harrell cattle company to keep the sheepherders off of the grazing lands. After an altercation where Davis wounded Bill Tolman in a shooting. Following this incident, he fled south to Nevada to star or of sight. While in Nevada, Davis is known to brad about his exploits.

In February, 1896, Davis returned to Idaho and returned to work for Sparks-Harrell in Idaho. During this time, two sheepherders, Daniel Cummings and John Wilson, are shot and killed. Due to he previous bragging and his being in the area at the time, Davis became a suspect. Davis fled to Arizona and is eventually captured. Upon his capture, he is returned to Idaho, tried, found guilty and sentenced to death for of the shooting.

DiamondField Nevada - 1904 - Paher
DiamondField Nevada – 1904 – Paher

keep the sheep back. Don’t kill but shoot to wound if necessary. Use what measures you think best. If you have to kill, the company will stand behind you – regardless what happens.

While “Diamondfield Jack” is waiting his execution, two other men, James Bower and Jeff Gray, confess to the killing. During their trial, the two men are found not guilty. Regardless, this trial raised doubt as to the trial and Davis is reprieved one day before his scheduled execution.

Following a series of appeals, Davis is again scheduled for execution on July 3rd, 1901. At this point in time, public opinion no longer supported the death penalty. His execution is rescheduled until the Board of Pardons commutes his sentence to life in prisons. Davis is eventually pardoned on December 17th, 1902.

Following his release, Davis moved south into Nevada. In the spring of 1903, when news of promising gold strikes in Goldfield, Davis travelled to the town. After exploring and prospecting he uncovered promising ore ledges on McMahon Ridge northeast of town.

Within weeks of his discovery, prospectors flooded into the area. “Diamondfield Jack”, ever the opportunist plotted a townsite for the location and build a toll road to the new town from Goldfield. In the fall of 1904, the town reached its apex. At that time, it boasted a Post Office, three saloons, restaurants, general stores, schools, church, livery, butcher shop, blacksmith and union hall for the miners, which is impressive for a town just six months old. Public servants such as a sheriff, notary public and lawyer also maintained offices in the new formed district.

Nevada State Historic Marker #251 Text

This historical marker commemorates the lasting notoriety of flamboyant western gunman Jackson Lee Davis (1870-1949), who was better known by the colorful name, “Diamondfield Jack.” As a young man, after unsuccessfully prospecting for diamonds in the nearby hills, Davis was jokingly called “Diamondfield Jack,” a nickname that he carried the rest of his life.

In the late 1890’s, Davis gained a measure of fame as a gunman for the cattle interests, including rancher John Sparks, who would later become a Nevada governor, that were attempting to restrict sheep ranchers from southern Idaho and northeastern Nevada rangelands. Following a sensational trial in 1896, Davis was convicted of murdering two sheepherders. He was sentenced to be hanged, even after others confessed to the murders.

In 1902, Davis was finally pardoned for the crimes. He moved to the central Nevada mining towns of Tonopah and Goldfield, where he became a successful mine operator. He also helped found several mining camps, including one called Diamondfield. In later years, he drifted into obscurity and died in Las Vegas in 1949 after being struck by a car.

Nevada State Historic Marker #251 Summary

Nevada State Historic Marker251
NameDiamondfield Jack Davis
LocationElko County, Nevada
Latitude, Longitude41.9847, -114.6720

Resources

Dinner Station

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Dinner Station Nevada is Nevada State Historical Marker number two hundred and forty four and is located in Elko County, Nevada.

Dinner Station, Elko County, Nevada
Dinner Station, Elko County, Nevada

The location stands as a reminder of Nevada’s stagecoach era. Established in the early 1870’s by William C. (Hill) Beachey as a meal stop for the Tuscarora and Mountain City stage lines, it was originally known as Weilands. The name was later changed to Oldham’s Station when a change of ownership took place. A frame structure originally accommodated the traffic, but a fine two-story stone station house, out-buildings and a corral were built following a fire in the 1800’s. Early in the Twentieth Century, both automobiles and hose-drawn stages stopped at and it became one of the most popular country inns of the time. After 1910, when automobiles become more common, the station ceased to be used.

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. Budget cuts the program became dormant in 2009.

Nevada State Historic Marker Text

Dinner Station stands as a reminder of Nevada’s stagecoach era. Established in the early 1870’s by William C. (Hill) Beachey as a meal stop for the Tuscarora and Mountain City stage lines, it was originally known as Weilands. The name was later changed to Oldham’s Station when a change of ownership took place. A frame structure originally accommodated the traffic, but a fine two-story stone station house, out-buildings and a corral were built following a fire in the 1800’s. Early in the Twentieth Century, both automobiles and hose-drawn stages stopped at and it became one of the most popular country inns of the time. After 1910, when automobiles become more common, the station ceased to be used.

STATE HISTORICAL MARKER NO. 244 – STATE HISTORIC PRESERVATION OFFICE

Currently, the Nevada Nevada State Historic Marker number 244 is missing.

Nevada State Historic Marker Map

Nevada Historic Marker Summary

ID244
NameDinner Station
LocationElko County, Nevada
Latitude, Longitude41.09991, -115.86631

References

Metropolis Nevada – Elko County Ghost Town

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Metropolis Nevada is a ghost town about 14 miles north west of Wells, Nevada and located in Elko County Nevada. The town was the brainchild of the Pacific Reclamation Company, which is based in New York. In 1909, the company envisioned build a city to host up to 7,500 people, which was surrounded by 40,000 acres of farm land.

Metropolis Nevada
The $75,000 brick Hotel in Metropolis Nevada

Pacific Reclamation Company opened an office in Salt Lake City beginning in 1910 to promotion the future site of Metropolis in the Nevadan desert. In 1911, streets, lots and even two public parks were staked out for development and the newspaper, the Metropolis Chronicle began publication in 1911. All of this promotion and interested boosted the cost of land from as low as $10 an acre to $75. Town lots ranged from $100 to $300 per lot.

The towns infrastructure was second to none in Nevada. There streets were graded and line with fire hydrants and street lights and a four block commercial district is established. Railroad tracked is connected to the townsite by the Southern Pacific, from Tulasco about eight miles away. A train depot is built to welcome new visitors who are greeted with a small tree lined park built by the railroad.

In 1912, a one hundred foot tall damn is built along with canals to distribute the water. As the reservoir filled, the town of Metropolis grew. Over 700 citizens called the town home, the majority being Mormon. To serve the population a Post Office is opened along with several business including a brick hotel, saloons and a wagon factory.

1912 also witnessed the demise of the town of Metropolis. Lovelock Valley filed suit with Pacific Reclamation Co. seeking an injunction from water utilization from the headwaters of Humboldt. The court ruled against the Pacific Reclamation Co, only allowing them to supply water to support 4,000 of the 40,000 planned acres of farmland. Following this ruling, the reclamation company went into receivership and the newspaper is closed in 1913.

The town continued but languished. By 1925, the town was in steady decline and the railroad abandoned its footprint in Metropolis. In 1936, the hotel is a victim of fire. In 1942 the post office is closed and in 1947 the school is closed.

Metropolis Trail Map

Town Summary

NameMetropolis Nevada
LocationElko County, Nevada
Latitude, Longitude41.228056, -115.056111
Elevation5675 Feet
Population700
Post Office1912 – 1942
NewspaperMetropolis Chronicle Sept 15, 1911 – Apr 15, 1913

References