Tag: Lincoln County

Acoma is an extinct ghost town and former railroad siding in Lincoln County, southeastern Nevada, in the United States. Located at approximately 37°32′54″N 114°10′21″W (elevation 5,528 ft / 1,685 m), it sits in the arid Great Basin landscape of Clover Valley, near the Utah border and west of Beaver Dam State Park. A variant name is Acoma Station.

Origins and Naming

The name “Acoma” was likely transferred from the historic Acoma Pueblo (“Sky City”) in New Mexico. In the Keres language, it roughly translates to “people of the white rock,” possibly referencing local light-colored rock formations.

Early Development (1904–1910s)

Development began in spring 1904 when the Utah and Eastern Copper Company initiated mining in the area. The first settlement formed around 1905, coinciding with the completion of the San Pedro, Los Angeles & Salt Lake Railroad (later part of the Union Pacific) through the region.

Acoma functioned primarily as a railroad siding and support point:

• A section house was built to house maintenance workers.
• It supported ore shipments (especially copper) from nearby mines, including prospects in adjacent Utah areas.

A post office operated from 1905 to 1913, marking the town’s formal (if modest) establishment and serving as a lifeline for supplies and communication in this remote desert outpost.

Economy and Industry

Early focus: Railroad logistics and copper mining/shipping from regional prospects (e.g., connections to Utah’s Goldstrike Mining District). Operations were small-scale.

Later activity: The Acoma Mining District became known for perlite extraction from volcanic tuff deposits (mid-20th century onward). Sites like the Acoma Mine (also called Pulcepher and Comstock) produced granular perlite for uses in insulation, filtration, and agriculture. Reserves were estimated in the millions of tons, but production remained intermittent and small-scale.

The economy reflected typical Lincoln County patterns: short-lived resource booms tied to railroads and minerals in a harsh, arid environment.

Population and Community Life

Acoma never grew large. In 1941, it had a recorded population of about 15. Earlier peaks (likely in the 1910s) were probably in the dozens, consisting mainly of railroad workers, miners, and a few families.

Life was rugged and isolated, typical of early 20th-century Nevada desert outposts, with reliance on the railroad for connection to the outside world.

Decline and Abandonment

The post office closed in 1913 as initial railroad and mining momentum waned. Population declined further amid broader economic shifts, including post-WWI adjustments and the Great Depression. By the mid-20th century, Acoma was fully abandoned as a town, though limited perlite mining continued sporadically in the district.

Today, it is a classic Nevada ghost town with minimal or scattered remnants (e.g., old section house ruins) in a remote high-desert setting under Bureau of Land Management oversight. No permanent residents remain.

Historical Context in Lincoln County

Acoma formed during a period of railroad expansion and mineral prospecting in eastern Nevada. Lincoln County itself has deep roots, from ancient Native American habitation (Southern Paiute and others) to Mormon settlements in the 1860s and mining booms (e.g., Pioche). Acoma represents the smaller-scale, railroad-dependent outposts that dotted the landscape in the early 1900s, many of which faded quickly.

Its story embodies the boom-and-bust cycle common to Nevada’s mining and rail communities.

Sources: Primarily drawn from historical geographical dictionaries, mining records, and Lincoln County historical overviews. For visits, note the remote location requires proper preparation (4WD recommended, no services).

Tempiute (also spelled Tem Piute, Tempahute, Timpahute, or similar variations) is a ghost town and historic mining district in Lincoln County, Nevada. Its name derives from the Southern Paiute, roughly translating to “rock water people.”

Location

• Coordinates: Approximately 37°39′09″N 115°38′09″W.
• Elevation: 6,112 feet (1,863 m).
• It sits on the south slope of Tempiute Mountain, about 6 miles southeast of Rachel, Nevada (near the “Extraterrestrial Highway,” State Route 375), in a remote high-desert area.

The site includes an older silver mining area (often called Old Tempiute) and a newer tungsten mining complex (Lincoln Mine / New Tempiute) on the north side of the mountain.

Early History: Silver Mining (1860s–1880s)

Silver was first discovered in the Tempiute Mountain area in 1865 during the broader Pahranagat mining rush. Additional lodes were found in 1868, leading to the organization of the Tem Piute Mining District.

A small mining camp developed, reaching a peak population of about 50 miners by 1870. Ore was shipped to mills at places like Crescent City or Hamilton, but development was severely hampered by a lack of water. Supplies had to be hauled by mule from springs up to 12 miles away.

A post office operated intermittently as “Tem Piute” from 1879–1881 and 1882–1883. Efforts in the late 1870s by companies like the Tem Pahute Land, Mining, and Improvement Co. and Wyandotte Silver Mining Co. included building a water pipeline and planning a stamp mill, but these largely failed. By the mid-1880s, the silver camp was mostly abandoned as miners moved to more promising areas.

20th Century: Tungsten Boom and Bust

Tungsten ore was discovered in the district in 1916, but significant operations waited until later. The Lincoln Mines Company began larger-scale work around 1940, building a mill. Production ramped up during World War II due to demand for tungsten (used in steel alloys and armaments).

After the war, activity declined until the early 1950s when tungsten prices rose. The Wah Chang Trading Company (operating as Black Rock Mining Company) revitalized the district. At its peak in the mid-1950s, the town had a population of around 700, including a school and other amenities. The post office reopened as “Tempiute” from 1953 to 1957.

The Lincoln Mine (also known as Tem Piute Mine, Emerson Mine, etc.) became one of the leading tungsten producers in the United States. Later operators included Union Carbide (1977–1987). Mining was intermittent and ultimately ended in the mid-1980s due to falling prices from cheap imports (especially from China).

Today

Tempiute is an abandoned ghost town. Remains include stone cabin foundations from the silver era, mine shafts, tailings, and larger industrial ruins from the tungsten period (mills, buildings, and underground workings). The site is split into areas, with some accessible by vehicle and others requiring hikes. It is located near restricted or sensitive areas (proximity to Rachel and the Nevada Test and Training Range), so visitors should respect boundaries, obtain permissions if needed, and practice leave-no-trace principles.

Significance

Tempiute exemplifies Lincoln County’s boom-and-bust mining cycles — starting with 19th-century silver rushes and shifting to strategic minerals like tungsten in the 20th century. Its history reflects challenges common to Nevada mining towns: water scarcity, fluctuating mineral prices, and dependence on distant markets and transportation.

Sources for this report include Wikipedia, Nevada Expeditions, Rachel-Nevada.com, mining databases, and Lincoln County historical references. If you’d like directions, photos, comparisons to nearby sites (like Rachel or other Lincoln County ghost towns), or more on the geology/minerals, just let me know!

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.

Joseco is an extinct ghost town and former Mormon agricultural settlement in Clover Valley, Lincoln County, Nevada (coordinates approximately 37°30′07″N 114°13′45″W, elevation 5,430 ft).

Early Settlement and Naming

Joseco formed as part of broader 19th-century Mormon colonization efforts in southern Nevada and the surrounding region. Mormon pioneers from Utah, often called from settlements like St. George, established farming communities in valleys such as Meadow Valley (Panaca) and nearby areas starting in the 1860s. These settlements aimed to support agricultural self-sufficiency, supply mining camps (notably Pioche), and expand the Mormon “Kingdom” under Brigham Young’s direction.

Clover Valley saw early settlement in the 1860s. It was initially known as Clover Valley (with a post office under that name opening in 1871, then associated with nearby Barclay). The name changed due to duplication with another Clover Valley in northern Nevada. The post office for the area became Joseco, derived from “Joseph” and named after a leader of the Mormon Church (likely referring to a figure such as Joseph Smith or a local leader).

Joseco itself emerged as a distinct or renamed settlement within or near this valley. Like neighboring Barclay (which had a church and school built in 1898), it represented the enduring presence of Latter-day Saint families focused on ranching and farming in the high desert.

Development and Peak Period

The community remained small and rural, centered on agriculture rather than mining (unlike prominent Lincoln County boomtowns such as Pioche). A post office operated at Joseco from 1916 to 1943, indicating official recognition and some stability in the early 20th century.

Residents raised crops and livestock in the valley’s meadows, contributing to the regional economy that supported larger mining operations elsewhere in Lincoln County. The area’s history ties into the broader pattern of Mormon “calls” for settlement, temporary abandonments (e.g., due to conflicts like the Black Hawk War in the 1860s), and re-settlement in the late 1860s–1870s.

Decline and Abandonment

As with many small rural Nevada settlements, Joseco declined in the mid-20th century due to economic shifts, improved transportation, and the pull of larger towns. The post office closed in 1943. The community became fully extinct, transitioning into a ghost town.

Stone ruins mark the site today. The last standing structure was reportedly destroyed relatively recently (as of reports from around 2025), leaving primarily foundations and rubble.

Current Status and Context

Joseco is listed among Lincoln County’s ghost towns and historical sites. It is one of several forgotten corners of the county, alongside places like Barclay, Newland, and Ursine. The broader Lincoln County area features a rich tapestry of Native American presence (thousands of years), Mormon agricultural colonies from the 1860s onward, and intense mining activity in the late 19th and early 20th centuries.

The site offers a quiet reminder of pioneer resilience in arid lands. Visitors to Lincoln County can explore it as part of ghost town tours, alongside better-preserved spots like Panaca (oldest continuous settlement in southern Nevada, with structures from the 1860s–1870s).

Sources: Information draws primarily from GNIS and Federal Writers’ Project references, Lincoln County tourism/historical pages, and firsthand ghost town documentation. Limited detailed primary records exist due to the town’s small size and remote nature. For deeper research, consult Lincoln County historical museums (e.g., in Pioche) or Mormon settlement archives.

Etna, Nevada (Lincoln County) is a former railroad siding and small settlement in southeastern Nevada, now considered a ghost town or abandoned site. It lies in Rainbow Canyon (also associated with Meadow Valley Wash), north of the Narconon Rainbow Canyon Retreat along Nevada State Route 317, near coordinates 37°11′20″N 115°44′07″W and at an elevation of about 4,229 feet (1,289 m).

Prehistoric and Early Human Context

The area around Etna has evidence of long-term human occupation. Etna Cave (also historically known as Wheeler Cave), located nearby in a tributary canyon south of Caliente, is a significant archaeological site. It was excavated in the 1930s (primarily 1935–1937) by S.M. Wheeler under the Nevada State Park Commission.

The cave yielded stratified deposits showing multiple periods of use, including artifacts linked to earlier Great Basin cultures (sometimes classified under older terms like Gypsum Cave, Basketmaker, and Pueblo occupations in early reports). Recent studies have also documented rock art, including pictographs and petroglyphs at the site. This makes Etna Cave one of the first systematically studied archaeological locations in Lincoln County and an important reference for understanding prehistoric life in the region.

19th Century and Railroad Development

European-American activity in Lincoln County intensified in the mid-19th century with Mormon missionary and settler efforts (e.g., in nearby Meadow Valley/Panaca areas in the 1850s–1860s) and mining booms, such as at Pioche. However, Etna itself emerged later as part of railroad infrastructure.

Etna developed as a siding on the San Pedro, Los Angeles and Salt Lake Railroad (later part of the Union Pacific Railroad). The line was constructed through Rainbow Canyon between 1903 and 1905. Like many other small stops in the canyon (e.g., Carp, Stine, or Leith), it served operational needs such as passing sidings, section houses for track maintenance, and support for local ranches.

A 1912 newspaper reference mentions a section house at Etna being robbed, indicating some infrastructure and personnel were present in the early 20th century.

20th Century Settlement and Decline

In 1941, according to the Federal Writers’ Project, Etna had a population of 14, consisting of owners of the nearby Tennille (or Tenille) ranch. It functioned more as a small ranching-related community tied to the railroad rather than a mining boomtown.

The last occupants left in the late 1970s. The remaining residence was demolished in the early 1990s, leaving little visible above-ground structures today.

Significance and Current Status

Etna exemplifies the many minor railroad sidings that dotted Lincoln County’s rail lines, supporting transportation, ranching, and maintenance in a remote high-desert environment. Unlike prominent mining ghost towns, its history is modest and tied to infrastructure and agriculture. The proximity to Etna Cave adds archaeological value to the broader locale.

Today, the site is largely abandoned and fits the description of a ghost town. It is located in a scenic but arid canyon area, part of the broader historical landscape of Lincoln County, which includes Mormon settlement roots, mining districts, and the Union Pacific route. Visitors interested in history may find more to see at nearby sites like Caliente or through guided explorations of Rainbow Canyon rock art and railroad remnants.