Tag: Nevada State Historic Markers

Nevada State Historic Markers are a series of plaques and monuments that commemorate significant sites, events, and individuals in the history of Nevada. These markers, scattered throughout the state, provide educational insights into Nevada’s rich and diverse heritage, from its Native American origins and the era of westward expansion to the development of mining towns and modern-day landmarks. Each marker offers a glimpse into the past, detailing historical narratives and cultural milestones that have shaped Nevada’s identity. They serve as accessible, public resources for residents and visitors alike, fostering an appreciation for the state’s historical journey and its contributions to the broader tapestry of American history.

Reul Colt Gridley

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Reul Colt Gridley was a shop owner in Austin Nevada who gained national fame through an extraordinary act of philanthropy.

Reuel Colt Gridley (January 23, 1829 – November 24, 1870)
Reuel Colt Gridley (January 23, 1829 – November 24, 1870)

Early Life and Background

Reuel Colt Gridley was born on January 23, 1829, in Hannibal, Missouri, to Amos Gridley and Sarah (Thompson) Gridley. His family, of New England descent, included connections to the prominent Colt family, known for manufacturing firearms. Growing up in Hannibal, Gridley lived near Samuel Clemens, later known as Mark Twain, and the two attended school together, forming a friendship that would later influence Gridley’s legacy through Twain’s writings. Gridley had three sisters, one of whom, Clarissa, was among the earliest white children born in northwest Missouri. At age 17, Gridley joined the Methodist Episcopal Church in Hannibal, reflecting his lifelong commitment to Christian values.

Military Service and Early Career

In 1847, at age 18, Gridley enlisted in the U.S. Army and served in the Mexican-American War (1846–1848), stationed in Taos, New Mexico. After the war, he returned to Missouri, where he married Susan (Susannah) Snyder on September 19, 1850, in Louisiana, Missouri. Susan, born April 9, 1831, became his lifelong partner. The couple soon had four children: Amos Brice, Clara E., Josephine, and Mary.

In 1852, drawn by the California Gold Rush, Gridley traveled to California via the Panama Overland Short-Cut. His family joined him in 1854. In California, he explored various professions, including journalism, banking, and operating a mail express service. From 1860 to 1862, Gridley ran an express route from Oroville to Honey Lake Valley, connecting with Wells Fargo & Co. at Oroville.

Life in Nevada and the Famous Flour Sack

By 1863, Gridley had settled in Austin, Nevada, following the discovery of silver. There, he became a senior partner in the general store Gridley, Hobart & Jacobs. In 1864, Gridley gained national fame through an extraordinary act of philanthropy. A supporter of the Democratic candidate for mayor in Austin, he made a bet with a Republican friend that the loser would carry a 50-pound sack of flour through town. When Gridley lost, he carried the sack a mile and a quarter, accompanied by the town band. At the end of the procession, someone suggested auctioning the sack to raise funds for the U.S. Sanitary Commission, a precursor to the Red Cross that aided wounded Civil War soldiers.

The auction sparked a phenomenon. The sack was repeatedly sold and re-donated, raising significant sums across Nevada and California. Gridley toured the country, including a notable auction at the St. Louis Sanitary Fair in 1864, ultimately raising over $250,000 (equivalent to approximately $5 million in 2024). His efforts were chronicled by Mark Twain in a chapter of Roughing It (1872), cementing Gridley’s legacy. However, the tour depleted Gridley’s personal savings, and his health deteriorated, possibly due to rheumatism.

Later Years and Death

After the silver boom in Austin waned, Gridley’s store struggled, and he faced financial hardship. In 1868, he moved his family to Paradise, Stanislaus County, California, where he operated a general store and served as postmaster. His health continued to decline, and on November 24, 1870, Gridley died at age 41, nearly destitute. At his request, he was buried in Stockton, California, in the Stockton Rural Cemetery, initially in a plot reserved for Mexican War veterans. His infant daughter, who died in 1868, was later buried beside him. In 1882, the Grand Army of the Republic’s Rawlins Post No. 23 moved his remains to a prominent location in front of a monument erected in his honor. Susan Gridley was laid to rest beside him in 1912.

Legacy and Honors

Gridley’s monument, dedicated on September 9, 1887, in Stockton Rural Cemetery, depicts him with his iconic sack of flour. Funded by the Rawlins Post and Stockton citizens, it stands 20 feet tall and cost $1,775. Inscribed with “The Soldier’s Friend,” it became a California Historical Landmark in 1965. The Gridley Store in Austin remains a National Register of Historic Places listing, and the original flour sack is preserved by the Nevada Historical Society. Each June, Austin celebrates “Gridley Days,” and Stockton holds annual Memorial Day services at the monument.

Gridley was a devout Methodist, a Knights Templar Mason, and an Odd Fellow, embodying values of charity and community. His daughter Josephine, born in Nevada in 1864, married William H. Wood. Two daughters, Clara and Mary, died in the 1870s or 1880s, while Amos lived until 1936. Despite his financial struggles, Gridley’s selfless contributions to Civil War soldiers earned him enduring recognition as a humanitarian hero.

Nevada State Historic Marker

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.

This simple stone structure, opened to the public in late 1863, was originally operated as a general merchandise store by the firm of Gridley, Hobart, and Jacobs.  Gridley is best remembered for his 1864 wager that prompted the auctioning of a sack of flour for donations to the “Sanitary Fund,” the Civil War forerunner of the American Red Cross.  The flour was sold again and again throughout Nevada and California, then taken east and eventually auctioned at the St. Louis Sanitary Fair in 1864. In all, it raised about $275,000 for the fund.  Gridley died almost penniless six years later.

STATE HISTORICAL MARKER No. 119

STATE HISTORIC PRESERVATION OFFICE

LANDER COUNTY CIVIC & HISTORIC SOCIETY

Nevada State Historic Marker Summart

NameReuel Colt Gridley “Citizen Extraordinaire”
LocationAustin, Lander County, Nevada
Nevada State Historic Marker No119
Latitude, Longitude39.4893, -117.0631

Nevada State Historic Marker Map

References

Sarah Winnemucca Hopkins

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Sarah Winnemucca Hopkins was a member of the Paiute tribe and a Native American writer, activist, lecturer, teacher, and school organizer in the Humboldt County area of Nevada.

Sarah Winnemucca Hopkins (1844 – October 17, 1891)
Sarah Winnemucca Hopkins (1844 – October 17, 1891)

Early Life and Cultural Roots

Sarah Winnemucca Hopkins, born around 1844 near Humboldt Sink, Nevada, was a Northern Paiute woman whose Paiute name, Thocmetony, meaning “Shell Flower,” reflected her connection to her people’s traditions. The daughter of Chief Winnemucca (Poito), a Shoshone who had joined the Paiute through marriage, and Tuboitonie, she was the granddaughter of Chief Truckee, a prominent leader who advocated peaceful coexistence with Anglo-American settlers. Raised in the Kuyuidika-a band near Pyramid Lake, Sarah grew up in a world of dramatic change as white settlers encroached on Paiute lands following the 1848 California Gold Rush. Her early years were marked by the Paiute’s nomadic lifestyle, gathering plants and fishing, but also by fear of the “white-eyed” settlers, whom she initially believed might harm her people.

At age six, Sarah accompanied her grandfather Truckee to California, where she encountered unfamiliar Euro-American customs—beds, chairs, and bright dishes— sparking both curiosity and apprehension. By 1857, at Truckee’s insistence, she and her sister Elma lived with Major William Ormsby’s family in Carson City, learning English and adopting the name Sarah. In 1860, at 16, she briefly attended a Catholic convent school in San Jose, California, but was forced to leave after three weeks due to objections from white parents. Despite this, Sarah became fluent in English, Spanish, and several Native languages, skills that would define her role as a mediator between cultures.

Advocacy and Role in Conflict

Sarah’s life was shaped by the escalating tensions between the Paiute and settlers. The 1860 Paiute War, sparked by settler encroachment, claimed lives, including family members, and deepened her resolve to act as a peacemaker. In 1871, at age 27, she began working as an interpreter for the Bureau of Indian Affairs at Fort McDermitt, Nevada, leveraging her linguistic abilities to bridge communication gaps. Her 1870 letter to the superintendent of Indian Affairs, published in Harper’s magazine, marked her emergence as a public advocate, exposing the Paiute’s plight and gaining both attention and criticism.

During the 1878 Bannock War, Sarah’s role was both heroic and controversial. Learning that her father and other Paiutes were held hostage by Bannock warriors, she undertook a grueling 233-mile horseback ride to Pyramid Lake to warn her family and dissuade them from joining the conflict. She then volunteered as an interpreter and scout for the U.S. Army, freeing her father and others. However, her collaboration with the military led some Paiutes to view her as a traitor, a perception compounded by her advocacy for assimilation to ensure her people’s survival. After the war, the Paiute were forcibly relocated to the Yakama Reservation in Washington Territory, a harsh 350-mile winter march that devastated the community. Sarah, devastated by broken promises she had made to her people, worked as an interpreter at Yakama and began lobbying for their return to Nevada.

Literary and Public Advocacy

In 1880, Sarah traveled to Washington, D.C., meeting President Rutherford B. Hayes and Interior Secretary Carl Schurz to demand the Paiutes’ release from Yakama and their return to the Malheur Reservation. Despite promises, these commitments were never fulfilled, fueling her determination to reach broader audiences. From 1883 to 1884, she delivered over 300 lectures across the Northeast and Mid-Atlantic, often billed as the “Paiute Princess,” a trope she strategically embraced to captivate white audiences. Her speeches, blending eloquence, humor, and sharp critiques of U.S. policies, challenged stereotypes and exposed the hypocrisy of Indian agents and the reservation system. She met luminaries like Ralph Waldo Emerson and Oliver Wendell Holmes, earning praise for her “eloquent, pathetic, tragical” oratory.

In 1883, with support from Elizabeth Palmer Peabody and Mary Peabody Mann, Sarah published Life Among the Piutes: Their Wrongs and Claims, the first autobiography by a Native American woman and the first Native woman to secure a copyright. The book, a blend of memoir and ethnohistory, chronicled the Paiute’s first 40 years of contact with settlers, detailing injustices like land theft, starvation, and broken treaties. Written in English—a language not her own—and at a time when women, especially Native women, lacked political voice, it was a groundbreaking achievement. The book remains a vital historical source, praised for its vivid imagery and unflinching critique of Anglo-American expansion.

Educational Efforts and Personal Life

In 1884, using royalties from her book and donations, Sarah founded the Peabody Institute near Lovelock, Nevada, a school for Native children that emphasized Paiute language and culture alongside English education. Innovative for its time, the school aimed to empower Native youth without forcing assimilation. However, financial struggles and lack of federal support forced its closure by 1887.

Sarah’s personal life was marked by complexity. She married three times: first to an unnamed Native husband (details unknown), then briefly to Lt. Edward Bartlett in 1872, and finally to Lt. Lewis H. Hopkins in 1881, an Indian Department employee who supported her work but struggled with gambling and tuberculosis. Hopkins died in 1887, leaving Sarah financially strained. Rumors of a possible poisoning by a romantic rival at her death persist but remain unconfirmed.

Later Years and Legacy

After her husband’s death, Sarah’s health declined. She moved to Montana to live with her sister Elma, where she died of tuberculosis on October 16, 1891, at age 47. Feeling she had failed her people due to unfulfilled government promises, Sarah nonetheless left an indelible mark. Her tireless advocacy—over 400 speeches, petitions, and her autobiography—brought national attention to Native injustices.

Posthumously, Sarah’s legacy has grown. In 1993, she was inducted into the Nevada Writers Hall of Fame, and in 1994, the National Women’s Hall of Fame in Seneca Falls, New York. In 2005, a statue by Benjamin Victor was placed in the U.S. Capitol’s National Statuary Hall, honoring her contributions. Sarah Winnemucca Elementary School in Washoe County bears her name, and her book continues to be studied as a foundational text in Native American literature. Despite criticism from some Paiutes for her assimilationist stance and military collaboration, she is celebrated as a trailblazer who navigated two worlds to fight for her people’s survival and dignity.

Sarah Winnemucca Hopkins remains a powerful symbol of resilience, using her voice to challenge a nation to live up to its ideals. Her life, as she wrote, was a fight for her “down-trodden race,” a mission that resonates in the ongoing struggle for Indigenous rights.

Nevada State Historical Marker

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.

Sarah Winnemucca, whose Paiute name was Thocmentony (Shell-flower), was the daughter of Chief Winnemucca, and granddaughter of Captain Truckee, a friend and supporter of Captain John C. Frémont.  Sarah Winnemucca sought understanding between her people and European Americans when the latter settled on Paiute homelands.  Sarah lectured, wrote a foundational book in American Indian literature, and founded the non-government Peabody School for Native children outside of Lovelock, Nevada.  She worked tirelessly to remedy injustice for her people and to advocate peace.  Here at Fort McDermitt she served as an interpreter and teacher.  Because of her importance to the nation’s history, Sarah Winnemucca Hopkins was honored in 2005 with a statue in the National Statuary Hall of the U.S. Capitol.

STATE HISTORIC MARKER No. 143

 STATE HISTORIC PRESERVATION OFFICE

MRS. CURTIS S. HARNER

Nevada State Historical Marker Summary

NameSarah Winnemucca Hopkins
LocationHumboldt County, Nevada
Nevada State Historica Marker Number143
Latitude, Longitude41.9725, -117.6219

Nevada State Historical Marker Map

Refences

Southern Nevada Consolidated Telegraph Company

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The Southern Nevada Consolidated Telephone- Telegraph Company Building is located in Goldfield, Nevada and Nevada State Historic Marker #242. Photo by James L Rathbun
The Southern Nevada Consolidated Telephone- Telegraph Company Building is located in Goldfield, Nevada and Nevada State Historic Marker #242. Photo by James L Rathbun

The Southern Nevada Consolidated Telephone-Telegraph Company (SNCTTC) played a pivotal role in the communications infrastructure of Goldfield, Nevada, during its gold rush boom from 1902 to the early 1920s. Housed in a modest, single-story stone building at 206 East Ramsey Street, the company operated as the communications hub of Goldfield from 1906 to 1963. Designated Nevada Historical Marker No. 242, the building is part of the Goldfield Historic District, listed on the National Register of Historic Places in 1982. This report outlines the company’s history, its significance in the context of Goldfield’s prosperity, the building’s architectural features, and its enduring legacy as a preserved relic of Nevada’s mining era.

Historical Background

Goldfield’s emergence as a major gold-producing center began in 1902 when prospectors Harry Stimler and William Marsh discovered rich ore deposits, leading to a population boom that peaked at over 20,000 by 1907. During this period, Goldfield was Nevada’s largest city, boasting four railroads, electric lights, and other modern amenities, including a burgeoning telephone and telegraph network. The Southern Nevada Consolidated Telephone-Telegraph Company was established to meet the growing demand for rapid communication, critical for coordinating mining operations, stock trading, and social connections in a bustling boomtown.

Telephone and telegraph lines first extended from Tonopah to Goldfield in January 1904, laying the groundwork for the company’s operations. The SNCTTC building, constructed in 1905, became operational as the communications center by 1906, though some sources note 1908 as the start of its primary use. By mid-1907, at the height of Goldfield’s boom, the company’s services were indispensable, linking miners, investors, and businesses in real time. Notably, Jim Casey, co-founder of United Parcel Service (UPS), operated a messenger service from the building in 1906, highlighting its role as a nexus of early entrepreneurial activity.

Goldfield’s fortunes declined after 1910 as gold production fell from $8.4 million in 1907 to $5 million by 1912. A flash flood in 1913 damaged infrastructure, and a catastrophic fire in 1923 destroyed 53 blocks of downtown, sparing only a few stone buildings, including the SNCTTC’s. Despite these setbacks, the company continued operations, serving a shrinking population through the mid-20th century. By 1963, advancements in telecommunications and Goldfield’s diminished status—its population dropping to under 300—led to the cessation of the company’s services in the building. Today, Esmeralda County, with Goldfield as its seat, remains the area’s largest employer.

Architectural Features

The SNCTTC building is a small but well-preserved example of early 20th-century commercial architecture, designed for functionality and durability. Its key features include:

  • Exterior: The one-story structure, measuring approximately 20 by 30 feet, is constructed of local sandstone, giving it a sturdy, fire-resistant quality that allowed it to survive the 1923 fire. The facade features a single door flanked by two windows, with a simple, unadorned design typical of utilitarian buildings in mining towns. A Nevada Historical Marker is mounted to the left of the entrance.
  • Interior: Though not extensively documented, the interior likely housed telegraph and telephone equipment, operator stations, and minimal furnishings suited to a working office. Its compact size suggests efficient use of space for communication operations.
  • Craftsmanship: The building’s stonework reflects the skill of turn-of-the-century craftsmen, with neatly cut blocks and solid construction that have withstood decades of neglect and environmental wear.

Located near the Goldfield Consolidated Mines Company Building and the Curtis and Ish Building, the SNCTTC structure contrasts with their larger scale, emphasizing its modest but essential role. Its survival as one of only five pre-1923 commercial buildings in Goldfield underscores its architectural and historical value.

Cultural and Historical Significance

The Southern Nevada Consolidated Telephone-Telegraph Company was integral to Goldfield’s economic and social fabric during its boom years (1904–1910). Telephones and telegraphs enabled instant communication, crucial for mining companies coordinating operations, investors trading shares on the Goldfield Stock Exchange, and residents connecting with the outside world. At its peak, Goldfield’s infrastructure rivaled larger cities, and the SNCTTC facilitated this modernity, linking the town to Tonopah, Reno, and beyond.

The building’s survival through natural disasters and economic decline symbolizes Goldfield’s resilience. Its designation as Nevada Historical Marker No. 242, erected by the State Historic Preservation Office and the Central Nevada Historical Society, recognizes its role as an “unspoiled expression of the work of turn-of-the-century craftsmen” and a testament to the business life of the Tonopah-Goldfield region when mines produced millions, bringing prosperity to Nevada. The company’s operations from 1906 to 1963 also reflect the evolution of communication technology, from manual switchboards to automated systems, bridging the gap between the Wild West and the modern era.

Culturally, the SNCTTC building contributes to Goldfield’s identity as a “living ghost town.” It attracts historians, tourists, and preservationists exploring the Goldfield Historic District, alongside landmarks like the Esmeralda County Courthouse and Goldfield Hotel. Its association with Jim Casey adds a layer of intrigue, tying it to broader American entrepreneurial history. Unlike the nearby Goldfield Hotel, the SNCTTC building carries no paranormal lore, grounding its significance in tangible history rather than myth.

Current Status

As of April 2025, the SNCTTC building remains standing at 206 East Ramsey Street, within the Goldfield Historic District. It is no longer operational as a communications center and is privately owned, with limited public access. The structure is in good condition, its sandstone exterior largely intact, though it sees minimal use beyond its historical designation. The Nevada Historical Marker ensures visibility to visitors, and the Goldfield Historical Society promotes its significance through walking tours and events like Goldfield Days, held annually in August.

Goldfield’s small population (approximately 250) and remote location pose challenges for preservation, but the building faces no immediate threats. Its proximity to other historic sites, such as the courthouse (0.1 miles away) and the Goldfield Community Center (500 feet away), enhances its appeal as part of a broader historical narrative. Tourism, driven by interest in Nevada’s mining heritage and attractions like the International Car Forest, supports ongoing efforts to maintain such landmarks, though funding relies heavily on donations and grants.

Nevada State Historic Marker 242

This building was the communications center of Goldfield from 1908 until 1963.  The Consolidated Telephone-Telegraph Company Building was one of the few spared by a fire that destroyed 53 blocks of the downtown area in 1923.  Today, this building survives as an unspoiled expression of the work of turn-of-the-century craftsman, and serves as an example of the business life in the Tonopah-Goldfield area from the years when the mines were producing millions and bringing new prosperity to Nevada.  From 1904 to 1910, the gold mines of the region boomed.  With more than 15,000 people, Goldfield was the largest city in Nevada during that period, having four railroads and other modern conveniences.  The town was damaged by a flash flood in 1913 and mining was in decline, so many people left the area.  The fire of 1923 caused the remaining residents to leave.  Today the largest employer in Goldfield is Esmeralda County.

STATE HISTORIC MARKER NO.  242

STATE HISTORIC PRESERVATION OFFICE

CENTRAL NEVADA HISTORICAL SOCIETY

Marker Summary

NameSouthern Nevada Consolidated Telegraph Company
LocationEsmeralda County, Nevada
Nevada State Historic Marker242
Latitude, Longitude37.7093, -117.2352

Conclusion

The Southern Nevada Consolidated Telephone-Telegraph Company was a vital cog in Goldfield’s gold rush machinery, providing essential communication services from 1906 to 1963. Its unassuming stone building, built in 1905, survived floods, fires, and economic decline to stand as one of Goldfield’s few remaining pre-1923 structures. As Nevada Historical Marker No. 242, it embodies the craftsmanship and ambition of a boomtown that briefly outshone all others in the state. The company’s legacy lies in its facilitation of Goldfield’s prosperity, connecting a remote desert town to the wider world during an era of unprecedented wealth. Today, the building serves as a quiet monument to Nevada’s mining past, preserved for future generations to explore within the Goldfield Historic District.

Recommendations

  • Preservation Efforts: Encourage the Goldfield Historical Society to seek grants, such as those from the National Park Service’s Save America’s Treasures program, to fund maintenance and protect the building’s stonework from weathering.
  • Public Access: Develop guided tours or interpretive signage to educate visitors about the company’s role, enhancing the building’s visibility without compromising its integrity.
  • Historical Research: Support archival studies to uncover more details about the company’s operations, such as employee records or equipment used, to enrich its narrative.
  • Tourism Promotion: Integrate the SNCTTC building into regional heritage trails, linking it with Tonopah’s Mizpah Hotel and Rhyolite’s ghost town to attract more visitors to Central Nevada.

Sources

Ward Mining District – Nevada State Historic Marker

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The Ward Mining District, located in White Pine County, Nevada, near the present-day town of Ely, is a significant chapter in the state’s mining history. Situated at over 8,000 feet elevation in Ward Gulch, the district was a bustling silver mining hub in the 1870s, marked by rapid growth, lawlessness, and eventual decline. Its iconic Ward Charcoal Ovens and remnants of a once-thriving town remain as testaments to its past. Below is a detailed history of the district, from its discovery to its modern legacy.

Discovery and Establishment (1872–1875)

The Ward Mining District was born in 1872 when freighters William Ballinger and John Henry discovered silver-lead ore in Ward Gulch, approximately 11 miles southwest of Ely. Named after B.F. Ward, a claim locator, the district quickly attracted prospectors. The townsite of Ward was established in 1873, and by 1875, the Martin White Company acquired the Paymaster Mine, the district’s most productive operation. One chamber in the Paymaster Mine reportedly yielded $1 million in silver, fueling a rush to the area.

Boom Years (1875–1878)

By 1877, Ward was the largest town in White Pine County, boasting a peak population of around 2,000. The town’s infrastructure grew rapidly, supporting two newspapers (The Ward Reflex and another unnamed paper), a Wells Fargo office, a city hall, and various businesses, including saloons, general stores, and hotels. The district’s social fabric was diverse, with a Chinatown community and a red-light district known as Reform Gulch. Notably, Ward lacked a church, and an abandoned brothel served as the schoolhouse, reflecting the camp’s rough character.

Mining operations relied heavily on six beehive-shaped Ward Charcoal Ovens, constructed in 1876 by Italian masons (carbonari). These ovens, located in Willow Creek Canyon, produced charcoal for smelters, each requiring timber from 5–6 acres per 10-day cycle. The ovens processed up to 35 bushels of charcoal per cord of wood, supporting the smelting of silver-lead ore from mines like the Paymaster, Martin White, and Young America.

The district’s early years were lawless, with claim jumping and disputes common. A vigilante group, the “601” committee, enforced order through extralegal means, including hangings, earning Ward a reputation as a “tough camp.” Racial tensions also surfaced, with a reported murder of a Chinese resident by a mob in 1876, highlighting the era’s social challenges.

Decline and Devastation (1878–1888)

The district’s prosperity was short-lived. By 1878, the quality and quantity of high-grade ore declined, leading to an exodus of residents to the nearby boomtown of Taylor. The population dropped to 250, and businesses struggled. In 1883, a devastating fire destroyed one-third of Ward, including the schoolhouse and city hall. Rather than rebuild, many residents salvaged materials and relocated structures to Taylor. The Ward post office, established in 1876, closed in 1888, marking the town’s effective abandonment. Total production from 1872 to 1890 was valued at approximately $960,000, primarily in silver, with lesser amounts of lead and copper.

Revivals and Modern Exploration (1906–1991)

The Ward Mining District experienced periodic revivals driven by new discoveries and technological advancements. In 1906, renewed exploration uncovered additional silver deposits, prompting small-scale activity. A more significant revival occurred in the 1960s when the Silver King Mining Company acquired the Ward Mine in 1962. By 1967, the mine produced 63,400 metric tons of low-grade ore containing gold, silver, copper, lead, and zinc, valued at nearly $2.5 million through 1967.

In the 1970s and 1980s, joint ventures between Silver King, Phillips Petroleum, and Gulf Minerals explored the district for a porphyry copper deposit. These efforts focused on skarn-hosted sulfide deposits but ultimately failed to identify a major copper system. Sporadic production continued until 1991, with cumulative output exceeding 182 kilotons of ore. The district’s total production included significant quantities of silver, gold, copper, lead, and zinc, reflecting its diverse mineralogy.

Geological Context

The Ward Mining District lies within the Robinson porphyry copper district, part of a mineralized belt in east-central Nevada. The area’s geology features limestone, dolomite, and quartzite intruded by Cretaceous and Tertiary plutons, forming skarn and vein deposits. Major mines, including the Paymaster and Ward, exploited silver-lead-zinc veins and replacement deposits, with gold and copper as byproducts. The Ward Charcoal Ovens, built to support smelting, highlight the district’s reliance on local timber resources, which were heavily depleted during the boom years.

Legacy and Modern Status

Today, Ward is a ghost town, with little remaining due to flash flooding and the relocation of structures in the 1880s. The Ward Charcoal Ovens, preserved as a Nevada State Historical Site since 1998, are the district’s most enduring feature. These 30-foot-tall, beehive-shaped structures, accessible via a graded dirt road, attract visitors and historians. A small cemetery, containing graves of early residents, also survives, though many headstones are weathered or missing.

The Ward Mining District remains an active exploration area, with modern mining companies investigating its potential for undiscovered deposits. The ovens and surrounding landscape, now part of Ward Charcoal Ovens State Historic Park, serve as a reminder of Nevada’s mining heritage and the environmental impact of 19th-century industry. Visitors can explore the site, which includes interpretive signs detailing the district’s history and the ovens’ construction.

Nevada State Historic Marker no. 54

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.

Most of the markers across the state are large blue metal markers. However, there are a variety of other marker styles out there. For this guide they have been simplified into a few categories (blue, blue small, concrete, and stone). Sometimes, the markers are on buildings, fences, or metal stands.

Ward Mining District

The ghost town of Ward, in the foothills of the Egan Range, lies some eight miles west of here.  Booming from 1876 until 1882, with a peak population of 1,500, Ward was somewhat of a lawless mining camp.  Early killings did occur, but justice was meted out by the vigilante committee and the hanging rope.

A million dollars worth of silver was taken from a single chamber of the Ward mine, yet an abandoned house was used for the first school and no movement was ever started to build a church.

The town was abandoned by the late 1880s, but new discoveries and better mining methods prompted a resurgence of activity in 1906 and again in the 1960s.

STATE HISTORICAL MARKER No. 54

STATE HISTORIC PRESERVATION OFFICE

WHITE PINE MUSEUM, INC

Nevada State Historic Marker 54 Map

Summary

NameWard Mining District
LocationWhite Pine County, Nevada
Latitude, Longitude39.0885, -114.7524
Nevada State Historic Markers No.54

Sources

  • Western Mining History: Ward Mining District
  • Mindat.org: Ward Mining District, Nevada
  • Nevada Expeditions: Ward, Nevada
  • Nevada Appeal: Ward Charcoal Ovens
  • Nevada Ghost Towns & Beyond: Ward Ghost Town
  • Nevada State Parks: Ward Charcoal Ovens State Historic Park

Millers Nevada

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The Millers Nevada State Historic Marker 101 can be found at a rest area along Highway 6, situated a few miles to the west of Tonopah, within Esmeralda County, Nevada. Historically, Millers served as both a train station and a watering point for the Tonopah and Goldfield Railroad, playing a significant role in the region’s transportation network.

Millers Nevada about 1905 - Mrs. Harry Mighels Collection
Millers Nevada about 1905 – Mrs. Harry Mighels Collection

Following a mining boom in Tonopah in 1901 and construction of the Tonopah and Goldfield Railroad, Millers was first founded in 1904 as a station and watering stop.  The name honored Charles R. Miller, a director of the railroad and former governor of Delaware.  He also served as vice-president of the Tonopah Mining Company and instrumental in having its 100-stamp cyanide mill built here in 1906. 

Charles R. Miller - Millers Nevada State Historic Marker 101
Charles R. Miller

In 1901, a mining boom occurred in Tonopah, leading to the establishment of the Tonopah and Goldfield Railroad. This development set the stage for the founding of Millers in 1904, which began as a station and watering stop. The name “Millers” was chosen to honour Charles R. Miller, who was a director of the railroad and had previously served as the governor of Delaware. Additionally, he held the position of vice-president of the Tonopah Mining Company and played a crucial role in the construction of its 100-stamp cyanide mill, which was built in the area in 1906.

The year 1907 saw a significant boom for the town, attributed to the establishment of the Tonopah and Goldfield Railroad’s repair shops and another substantial mill. By 1910, the population of Millers had risen to 274, and the town featured a business district along with a post office. Despite its relatively small size, Millers was proud of its modest business district and claimed to have a large park that included a baseball diamond and a grandstand for spectators.

However, by 1911, the railroad shops and the mill relocated, marking the beginning of a decline for Millers. The town ultimately became abandoned in 1947 when the railroad ceased operations.

Nevada State Historic Marker Text

As a result of mining excitement at Tonopah in 1901 and subsequent construction of the Tonopah and Goldfield Railroad, Millers was first founded in 1904 as a station and watering stop on that line.  The name honored Charles R. Miller, a director of the railroad and former governor of Delaware.  He was also vice-president of the Tonopah Mining Company and was instrumental in having its 100-stamp cyanide mill built here in 1906.  In 1907, the town boomed with the construction of the T. & G. R.R.’s repair shops and another large mill.  The population grew to 274 in 1910, when the town boasted a business district and post office.  By 1911, the railroad shops and a mill had been moved away, and Millers began to decline.  It was abandoned in 1947 when the railroad went out of business.

STATE HISTORICAL MARKER No. 101
STATE HISTORIC PRESERVATION OFFICE
AMERICAN LEGION, NEVADA DEPT.

Town Summary

NameMillers
LocationEsmeralda County, Nevada
Nevada State Historic Marker101
Latitude, Longitude38.1402, -117.4539
Elevation4,800 Feet
GNIS856083
Population275
Post Office1906 –

References