Tag: Nevada

Nevada, often referred to as the “Silver State,” is located in the western United States. Renowned for its vast deserts and striking mountain ranges, the state boasts a diverse landscape that includes the arid Mojave Desert in the south and the forested Sierra Nevada mountains in the west. The state is famously home to Las Vegas, a vibrant city known for its bustling casinos, entertainment venues, and nightlife. Beyond the glitz of Las Vegas, Nevada offers rich history in its ghost towns, a legacy of the 19th-century mining boom. The state also features significant natural attractions, such as Lake Tahoe and Great Basin National Park, offering a wide range of outdoor activities. Nevada’s economy is driven by tourism, mining, and, increasingly, technology, making it a dynamic state with a blend of natural beauty and modern attractions.

Crystal Springs

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Crystal Springs, Lincoln County, Nevada is an old watering stop, townsite and Nevada State Historic Marker number 205. The Nevada State Marker is location just west of the junction between Nevada State Highway 93 and Nevada State Highway 375, also known as “The Extraterrestrial Highway.”

Crystal Springs, Nevada State Marker 205 is found just west of the junction between Nevada State Highway 93 and Nevada State Highway 375, also known as "The Extraterrestrial Highway."
Crystal Springs, Nevada State Marker 205 is found just west of the junction between Nevada State Highway 93 and Nevada State Highway 375, also known as “The Extraterrestrial Highway.”

Prior to settlement of Crystal Springs in 1865, the springs served as a valuable water source for a nearby Native American village for generations. Beginning in the middle of the 1800s, the site becomes a watering stop for western travelers before traversing the hot desert climates to the south west.

In 1865, silver discovery in the Pahranagat Valley caused the formation of Lincoln County and Crystal Springs is designated the county seat in 1866. Nevada’s first elected governor, Henry G. Blasdel, nearly lost in life in efforts to establish Lincoln County. To reach Pahranagat, the governor travelled to the location by way of Death Valley. This route was not common at the time, the the expedition soon found themselves running low on supplies after passing through Ash Meadows. Lacking the supplies to complete his journey, Blasdel and the State Geologist, a man named White, rushed into Logan City to obtain additional supplies. Blasdel and White organized a wagon train to resupply the expedition foundering in the desert to the south east. One man did die during this expedition, the travelers exist on lizards and other small animals while waiting for a resupply.

The Extraterrestrial Highway, Nevada State Route 375 is located in Lincoln County, Nevada
The Extraterrestrial Highway sign. Nevada State Historic Marker 205 can been seen in the distance on the left side of the highway.

When the Blasdel expedition eventually arrived in Crystal Springs, he learned that the town did not have the population of voters to support the organization of Lincoln County Seat. This event happened the following year in Hiko, Nevada. The town of Crystal Springs is only in existence for about five or six years.

Today, the town of Crystal Springs is little more than a footnote in Nevada’s history. No remains of the town exist.

Nevada State Historic Marker Text

Crystal Spring was used as a watering place and campsite on an alternate route of the Mormon Trail in the mid-nineteenth century.  The town site was designated as the provisional County Seat for Lincoln County in 1866.  With the intention of organizing the new county, Governor Henry G. Blasdel left Carson City in April 1866, accompanied by over 20 people.  After a perilous journey through Death Valley, California, they ran out of supplies and food.  One man died; the others survived on lizards and other desert animals.  The Governor and another man raced to Logan City to obtain supplies and returned lathe party so they reached Crystal Spring.  The Governor found that the region lacked the number of voters necessary to meet the requirements to become a county.  A year later the county government was organized at Hiko.

STATE HISTORICAL MARKER NO.  205
STATE HISTORIC PRESERVATION OFFICE

Site Summary

NameCrystal Springs
LocationLincoln County, Nevada
Latitude, Longitude37.5317, -115.2338
Elevation6,161 Feet
GNIS858593
Nevada State Historic Marker 205

Crystal Springs Trail Map

The Nevada State Marker is location just west of the junction between Nevada State Highway 93 and Nevada State Highway 375, also known as “The Extraterrestrial Highway.” The marker is located on the south side of Highway 375.

References

Aurora, Nevada 1860-1960: Mining Camp, Frontier City, Ghost Town

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Aurora Nevada Mining Camp

This expanded Second Edition of Aurora, Nevada 1860-1960 chronicles the history of one of Nevada’s earliest and most important mining boomtowns. It is a reference-oriented book, which includes hundreds of edited and annotated newspaper clippings and other firsthand accounts about Aurora’s buildings, businesses, major mines, social life, Paiute citizens, ghost town days, and final destruction over the entire length of its century-long history. This new edition has 98 additional pages with a new section on violence at Aurora during 1863 and 1864, more information about the Daly gang, complete directories for the boom years 1864, 1880, and 1915, and an annotated list of residents from 1861-1864 and 1880. The book now includes 14 maps and over 200 photographs.

Author’s Note

A “Second Edition” (ISBN 978-1979848862) and newer hardcover “Second Color Edition” (ISBN 979-8507081967) of this book are now available on Amazon., Despite a century of history, and the valiant efforts of all those who believed the town would last forever, Aurora, Nevada, is now and forevermore a “Colossal Wreck” slowly returning to its beginnings-a sagebrush and pinyon pine covered valley home to jackrabbits and a few ghosts from the past. While Aurora is gone, its historical record remains, thus providing us the opportunity to reconstruct the town and its society if only in our imagination. Most historical accounts about Aurora have focused on the town during its early 1860s mining boom. However, Aurora’s rich and colorful history deserves a closer look. This new reference-oriented publication includes hundreds of edited and annotated newspaper clippings and other firsthand accounts about Aurora’s buildings, businesses, major mines, social life, Paiute citizens, ghost town days, and final destruction over the entire length of its century-long history. It also includes directories for the boom years 1864, 1880, and 1915, as well as 6 maps and over 150 photographs, many of which are “then and now” comparisons of the same view., Author’s Note: This book is the original edition but there is also a new revised and expanded “Second Edition” (search ISBN 978-1979848862) of this book now available on Amazon for the same price on a different Amazon page. The Second Edition has 98 additional pages that include 50 new photographs, 6 more maps, an expanded 1864 directory, and a new list of Aurora residents from 1861-1864.

Book Summary

TitleAurora, Nevada 1860-1960: Mining Camp, Frontier City, Ghost Town (Second Edition)
Author Clifford Alpheus Shaw
PublisherCreateSpace Independent Publishing Platform 
Edition2nd Edition
Pages488 Pages

Taylor – Nevada State Historic Marker

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Taylor, Nevada, located in White Pine County approximately 15 miles southeast of Ely, was a quintessential mining boomtown of the late 19th century. Established following the discovery of silver and gold in 1873, Taylor epitomized the rapid rise and fall of mining communities in the American West.

Main Street, Taylor Nevada 1882
Main Street, Taylor Nevada 1882

Founding and Early Development (1872–1880)

Silver and gold were discovered in 1873 by prospectors Taylor and John Platt, guided by a local Native American, Jim Ragsdale, who was paid $500 for leading them to a silver ledge. The Taylor Mine was staked and sold in 1875 to the Martin White Company of Ward for $14,000. Concurrently, the nearby Monitor Mine was discovered, laying the foundation for the town’s growth. However, significant development did not occur until 1880, when the camp of Taylor began to take shape. In 1881, the Monitor Mill and Mining Company constructed a ten-stamp mill seven miles northwest of Taylor on Steptoe Creek, which began operations in September 1881, processing ore from the surrounding mines.

Boom Period (1881–1886)

Taylor’s peak came in 1883, following new ore discoveries and the construction of the Argus Mill. The town’s population reportedly reached 1,500, though some historical markers exaggerate this figure at 15,000, likely an overstatement given the scale of operations. By the end of 1883, Taylor boasted a vibrant community with three general stores, four restaurants, three boarding houses, seven saloons, a brewery, a drugstore, a doctor’s office, a school, an opera house, a Wells Fargo office, and professional services. Two newspapers, the White Pine News and the Taylor Reflex (relocated from Ward), were published, reflecting the town’s cultural and economic vitality. The annual Fourth of July celebration became a social highlight, cementing Taylor’s role as a regional hub by 1886. During this period, the mines shipped over $260,000 worth of ore (approximately $8 million in 2025 dollars), primarily silver, with gold, copper, and lead as secondary outputs.

Decline (1885–1890)

Taylor’s prosperity was short-lived. By 1885, the free-milling silver ore began to deplete, and a tragic accident in 1886 at the Argus Mine—where a drill struck dynamite, killing one miner and blinding another—accelerated the town’s decline. The Monitor Mill closed in 1886, followed by the Argus Mill in 1889. By 1890, only a handful of residents remained, with many businesses and buildings relocated to nearby Ely, which was emerging as a more stable economic center.

Revivals and Final Decline (1918–1991)

Mining in Taylor saw intermittent revivals. In 1918, the Wyoming Mining & Milling Company built a 100-ton cyanide plant at the Argus Mine, processing 60,000 tons of ore in its first year (1919). The mill operated from 1921 to 1923, producing 40–50 tons of ore daily, but closed again due to falling silver prices. World War II temporarily spurred mining activity, with local mines yielding over $3 million in silver, gold, copper, and lead over their lifetime. In 1980, Silver King Mines, Inc., of Salt Lake City initiated a $10 million open-pit operation, which continued until 1991. This final phase destroyed much of what remained of Taylor’s original structures, leaving only a few buildings and mining remnants.

Present Day

Today, Taylor is a ghost town, with only two buildings remaining and much of the site obscured by modern mining operations. Located at coordinates 39°04’47.0″N, 114°41’07.0″W, it is accessible via a well-maintained gravel road off U.S. Highways 6, 50, and 93, near Ely. The Nevada State Historical Marker No. 99, erected by the Nevada State Park System and White Pine Public Museum, marks the site, summarizing its history. The area remains of interest for ongoing mineral exploration, but the town’s historical footprint is minimal, with most structures lost to time or modern mining.

Connection to Nevada Northern Railway

Taylor’s mining operations were closely tied to the Nevada Northern Railway, which connected Ely to national rail networks starting in 1906. While Taylor’s boom preceded the railway’s construction, the railway facilitated ore transport from nearby mines during later revivals, particularly in the early 20th century. The Nevada Northern’s Ore Line, extending to Ruth and McGill, supported the region’s mining economy, indirectly sustaining Taylor’s intermittent operations.

Conclusion

Taylor, Nevada, exemplifies the boom-and-bust cycle of Western mining towns. From its rapid growth in the 1880s to its near-total disappearance by the late 20th century, Taylor’s history reflects the challenges of sustaining resource-dependent communities. Its legacy endures through historical markers, sparse remnants, and its role in White Pine County’s mining heritage, preserved in part by the Nevada Northern Railway Museum’s efforts to document the region’s rail and mining history.

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.

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.

Silver and gold were discovered by Taylor and John Platt in 1873 in what was to become Taylor, a typical mining community supported chiefly by the Argus and Monitor Mines.  In seven years, the town boasted a population of 15,000 people, seven saloons, three general stores, an opera house, a Wells Fargo office, and other businesses.  By 1886, Taylor was the center of county activity, a social highlight being the annual 4th of July celebration.

Mining continued intermittently until 1919.  At that time, a 100 ton cyanide plant at the ArgusMine gave the area new life, but production declined when the price of silver plummeted.  World War II renewed mining activity temporarily.  Local mines yielded more than $3 million in silver, gold, copper, and lead.

STATE HISTORICAL MARKER NO.  99

STATE HISTORIC PRESERVATION OFFICE

WHITE PINE PUBLIC MUSEUM, INCORPORATED

Nevada State Historic Marker Map

Summary

NameTaylor, Nevada
LocationWhite Pine County, Nevada
Latitude, Longitude39.0885, -114.7522
Nevada State Historic Marker99

References

Ely Forging The Link – Nevada State Historic Marker

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The “Forging the Link” historical marker in Ely, Nevada, encapsulates the story of a town that became a vital hub in the American West due to its strategic location and economic contributions. The marker, part of Nevada’s historical marker program overseen by the State Historic Preservation Office (SHPO), commemorates Ely’s role in connecting the region through mining, transportation, and community development.

Early Exploration and Mapping (1859)

James H. Simpson (1813–1883)
James H. Simpson (1813–1883)

The story of Ely begins with its placement on the map by James H. Simpson during his 1859 exploration of the Great Basin. As a U.S. Army officer, Simpson conducted surveys to identify potential routes for communication and travel across the vast, arid region. His work highlighted Ely’s strategic position, laying the groundwork for its future development as a regional center. This initial mapping was critical, as it introduced Ely to the broader narrative of westward expansion and connectivity in the United States.

Mining Boom and Economic Growth (1860s–1890s)

In the 1860s, the discovery of silver and gold deposits in the nearby Robinson Mining District spurred interest in the area. These discoveries attracted prospectors and settlers, transforming Ely into a burgeoning hub. By 1887, Ely had grown sufficiently to become the county seat of White Pine County, solidifying its administrative importance. The real economic surge came in the early 1890s with the discovery of significant copper deposits. Copper mining became the backbone of Ely’s economy, drawing investment and labor to the region and necessitating infrastructure to support the industry.

The Nevada Northern Railway (1900s)

A pivotal development in Ely’s history was the establishment of the Nevada Northern Railway, headquartered in East Ely. Completed in the early 20th century, this 150-mile railway connected Ely’s mines in Ruth to a smelter in McGill and linked the town to the transcontinental railroad to the north. The railway was instrumental in transporting copper ore and other goods, effectively “forging the link” between Ely and national markets. This connectivity not only boosted Ely’s economy but also positioned it as a critical node in the supply chain of the American West, facilitating trade and communication across vast distances.

Nevada Northern Railway
Nevada Northern Railway

The Lincoln Highway and Road Networks (1913–1922)

Ely’s role as a transportation hub was further cemented in 1913 when the transcontinental Lincoln Highway, one of America’s first coast-to-coast automobile routes, was routed through the town. Although the road was not paved until 1922, its inclusion of Ely underscored the town’s importance as a stopping point for travelers crossing the Great Basin. By the late 19th century, Ely was already connected by a network of wagon roads, but the Lincoln Highway elevated its status. Additionally, two other major roadways—U.S. Route 6 (designated in 1937, formerly the Midland Trail) and U.S. Route 93—converged at Ely, making it a crossroads for travelers moving between Canada, southern California, and beyond. With over 2,000 residents by the early 20th century, Ely offered essential services, making it an ideal stop for weary travelers.

The Historical Marker’s Creation

The “Forging the Link” marker, erected by the Nevada State Historic Preservation Office, was designed to capture Ely’s multifaceted role in connecting the Great Basin through exploration, mining, and transportation. While the exact date of the marker’s installation is not specified in available records, it is part of a broader initiative to document Nevada’s history through physical markers. The marker’s title, “Forging the Link,” reflects Ely’s historical significance as a connector—geographically, economically, and socially—in a region characterized by its isolation.

The marker likely emerged from a collaborative effort involving local historians, community members, and the SHPO, which oversees Nevada’s historical marker program. Such markers are typically proposed by local groups or agencies, such as the Bureau of Land Management’s Ely District, to highlight significant historical narratives. The content of the marker emphasizes Simpson’s exploration, the mining boom, the Nevada Northern Railway, and the Lincoln Highway, weaving together the threads of Ely’s development into a cohesive story of regional importance.

Significance and Legacy

The “Forging the Link” marker serves as both an educational tool and a point of pride for Ely’s residents. It highlights the town’s resilience and adaptability, from its origins as a mapped point in the Great Basin to its growth into a mining and transportation hub. The marker also underscores Ely’s enduring role as a service center for travelers, a legacy that continues with its position at the intersection of major highways. For visitors, the marker offers a glimpse into the challenges and triumphs of life in the American West, particularly in a region as remote as White Pine County.

Today, the marker stands as a testament to Ely’s historical contributions and its ongoing relevance. It invites reflection on how infrastructure and economic activity can transform a small town into a vital link in a larger network, a theme that resonates with Nevada’s broader history of connectivity and development.

James H. Simpson put the future site of Ely on the map during his 1859 exploration through the Great Basin.  In the 1860s, silver and gold deposits were discovered nearby in what became the Robinson Mining District.  Ely developed as a regional center, becoming the White Pine County seat in 1887.  The area grew dramatically in the early 1890s with major copper discoveries.  The Nevada Northern Railway, headquartered in East Ely, carried ore from the mines in Ruth to the McGill smelter, as well as connecting Ely to the world on its 150 mile route north to the transcontinental railroad.

The towns of eastern Nevada were joined during the late nineteenth century by a network of wagon roads.  In 1913, the road through Ely was incorporated into the transcontinental Lincoln Highway, though it was not paved until 1922.  Ely had over 2,000 residents and offered many services, making it an excellent stopping place on the long road across the Great Basin.  When the copper industry declined after World War I, the struggling town turned to travelers for income.

The Lincoln Highway was designated U.S. 50 in 1926.  By mid-century the popularity of the Victory Highway, now Interstate 80, reduced U.S. 50 to the status of “The Loneliest Road in America.”

In addition to the Lincoln Highway, two other major national roadways converge at Ely.  The Midland trail, designated Route 6 in 1937, was an early coast to coast automobile road that also connected Ely to Tonopah and southern California.  U.S 93, which passes north-south through Ely takes travelers from Canada almost to the Mexican border.

STATE OF NEVADA HISTORIC PRESERVATION OFFICE

AT&T

Land Services, Inc.

MACTEC Engineering and Consulting, Inc.

Ely Renaissance Society

Bureau of Land Management, Ely District

Nevada State Historic Marker 269 Map

Nevada State Historic Marker Summary

NameEly Forging The Link
LocationEly, White Pine County, Nevada
Latitude, Longitude39.2488, -114.8902
Nevada State Historic Marker269

John Wesley Powell

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John Wesley Powell, a remarkable American explorer, geologist, and ethnologist, was born on March 24, 1834, in Mount Morris, New York. His expeditions through the uncharted territories of the American West not only added to scientific knowledge but also provided invaluable insights into the land’s geological and cultural diversity. Powell’s legacy as a pioneer of exploration and his tireless efforts in promoting conservation measures have left an indelible mark on American history.

Powell served as the second Director of the United States Geological Survey, a post he held from 1881 to 1894. This photograph dates from early in his term of office.
Powell served as the second Director of the United States Geological Survey, a post he held from 1881 to 1894. This photograph dates from early in his term of office.

Early Life and Education

Powell grew up in rural New York, where his love for nature and the outdoors was nurtured from an early age. Although he lost his right arm in a childhood accident, Powell’s determination and thirst for adventure were undeterred. He developed a keen interest in natural sciences and geography and pursued higher education at Illinois College and later at Oberlin College, where he focused on geology.

Grand Canyon Expeditions

Powell’s most famous and daring expedition was his 1869 journey down the Colorado River, known as the Powell Geographic Expedition. With a team of nine men, Powell set out to explore the largely uncharted canyons and rapids of the Colorado River and gather valuable scientific data. The expedition faced numerous hardships, including treacherous rapids, scarce food supplies, and hostile encounters with Native American tribes. Miraculously, Powell and his crew successfully navigated the treacherous river and completed the journey, providing unprecedented knowledge of the Grand Canyon and its geological formations.

First camp of the John Wesley Powell expedition, in the willows, Green River, Wyoming, 1871. - E. 0. Beaman - War Department. Office of the Chief of Engineers. Powell Survey. (1869 - ca. 1874)
First camp of the John Wesley Powell expedition, in the willows, Green River, Wyoming, 1871. – E. 0. Beaman – War Department. Office of the Chief of Engineers. Powell Survey. (1869 – ca. 1874)

Powell’s subsequent expeditions further solidified his reputation as a fearless explorer. He embarked on multiple journeys across the American West, including explorations of the Green and Colorado Rivers, the Rocky Mountains, and the Uinta Mountains. Powell’s meticulous record-keeping and scientific observations greatly expanded the understanding of the region’s geology, hydrology, and ethnography.

Scientific Contributions

Powell’s expeditions were not merely adventurous endeavors but also scientific ventures aimed at advancing knowledge in various fields. He published numerous papers and reports detailing his findings, including “Exploration of the Colorado River of the West and its Tributaries” and “Canons of the Colorado.” These works significantly contributed to the geological understanding of the American West, shaping subsequent research and studies in the region.

Additionally, Powell’s expertise in ethnology led him to conduct extensive research on Native American tribes. He documented their cultures, languages, and customs, recognizing the importance of preserving their heritage. His ethnographic studies formed a crucial foundation for future anthropological research in the United States.

Conservation Advocacy

John Wesley Powell was not only a scientist and explorer but also an early advocate for conservation. Recognizing the fragile nature of the American West’s ecosystems, he became a vocal proponent of sustainable land use practices and preservation efforts. Powell believed that the arid region’s limited water resources necessitated careful management and planning.

In 1879, Powell presented his influential “Report on the Lands of the Arid Region of the United States” to Congress. This groundbreaking report emphasized the need for responsible irrigation and land development strategies, urging policymakers to consider the long-term consequences of uncontrolled resource exploitation. Powell’s report laid the groundwork for the eventual establishment of the U.S. Forest Service and the Bureau of Reclamation, both crucial agencies in land and water management.

Legacy and Impact

John Wesley Powell’s contributions to exploration, science, and conservation continue to resonate today. His expeditions not only unveiled the wonders of the American West but also inspired future generations of explorers and scientists. Powell’s emphasis on interdisciplinary research and his understanding of the intricate relationships between humans and their environment remain

References