Tag: White Pine County

White Pine County, nestled in the eastern region of Nevada, embodies a blend of rugged natural beauty and historical significance. Known for its expansive landscapes dominated by the Great Basin Desert and the towering peaks of the Egan and Schell Creek Ranges, the region offers a haven for outdoor enthusiasts and adventurers alike. The county’s rich mining history, particularly in towns like Ely and McGill, provides a glimpse into its past as a thriving hub during Nevada’s silver boom era. Today, White Pine County attracts visitors with its opportunities for hiking, camping, and exploring the pristine wilderness, while also serving as a gateway to Great Basin National Park and the majestic Wheeler Peak.

Kimberly, Nevada – White Pine County Ghost Town

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Kimberly was a 20th-century copper mining company town in White Pine County, eastern Nevada. It was located in the Egan Range, west of Ruth and Riepetown, and east of the former town of Veteran, within the Robinson Mining District (also known as the Ely or Copper Basin District). The site sits at a relatively high elevation in the mountains, part of the major copper-producing area that helped sustain Nevada’s economy into the modern era.

Photograph of the town of Kimberly, Nevada, taken in the 1940s
Photograph of the town of Kimberly, Nevada, taken in the 1940s

Unlike the short-lived silver boom towns of the 1860s–1870s (such as Shermantown or Hamilton), Kimberly represented the shift to large-scale industrial copper mining in the early 1900s.

Founding and Early Development (1900–1910)

Copper discoveries in the Pilot Knob area dated back earlier, but significant development began in May 1900 when the Giroux Mining Company started operations. In 1903, the company established the town of Kimberly as a planned company town. It was named after Peter L. Kimberly, a major financier from the Lake Superior mining region who backed the Giroux Consolidated Mines.

Key early milestones:

  • Post office established July 24, 1905 (operated until December 31, 1958).
  • Nevada Northern Railway reached Kimberly in September 1906, providing critical transportation for ore and supplies.
  • By 1910, the town had a general store, boarding houses, saloons, numerous residences, and its own newspaper, the Kimberly News.

Peak Period (1910s–1920s)

In 1914, the Giroux holdings were acquired by the Consolidated Copper Company, which expanded operations. Kimberly grew into a stable community with a population reaching about 500 by the mid-1920s. It featured a school, company housing, and supporting businesses typical of mining towns of the era.

The town was closely tied to the nearby mines and mills. It served as a residential and service hub for workers in the rich copper district, which included operations at Veteran and other sites. Mining activity focused on copper, with associated metals.

Later Years and Decline (1930s–1950s)

Kimberly experienced the typical fluctuations of a mining-dependent town, affected by metal prices, labor issues, and technological changes. Operations continued through the Great Depression and World War II, when copper demand was high for wartime production.

The post office remained active until the end of 1958, reflecting the town’s longevity compared to many earlier Nevada ghost towns. However, as mining consolidated and open-pit operations expanded in the Robinson District, residential areas were impacted.

Legacy and Current Status

Extensive modern mining development, particularly large-scale open-pit operations and tailings disposal, has largely wiped the original townsite of Kimberly off the map. Today, the area is dominated by active or reclaimed mine workings, with little of the historic town visible. It is considered a ghost town, though its history is intertwined with the still-operating copper industry around Ely and Ruth.

Kimberly exemplifies Nevada’s transition from 19th-century precious-metal rushes to 20th-century base-metal (copper) mining, which provided more stable, longer-term economic activity. The Robinson District remains one of Nevada’s most productive copper areas into the 21st century.

Sources

This report is based on historical records from Nevada Expeditions, Wikipedia, Western mining histories, and local archives. Kimberly’s story is well-documented in resources covering eastern Nevada’s copper boom.

Taylor, Nevada – White Pine County Ghost town

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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

Lages Station, Nevada – White Pine County Ghost Town

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Ghost Towns of White Pine County, Nevada
Ghost Towns of White Pine County, Nevada

Lages Station (also known as Lage’s Junction or Lages Junction) is a small ghost town and roadside settlement in White Pine County, eastern Nevada. It is located at the important highway junction of U.S. Route 93 and U.S. Route 93 Alternate in Steptoe Valley, approximately 62 miles north of Ely and about 78 miles south of Wells.

The site sits at an elevation of 5,981 feet (1,823 m) in a remote, high-desert environment typical of the Great Basin, flanked by the Schell Creek Range to the east and the Egan Range to the west. It is marked on USGS topographic maps as the namesake for its own 7.5-minute quadrangle.

Unlike many White Pine County settlements tied to 19th-century mining rushes (such as Shermantown or Aurum), Lages Station developed primarily as a 20th-century transportation and service stop.

Early History and Naming

The exact origins of the name “Lages” (often pronounced “La-g-eez”) remain somewhat unclear but likely derive from an early settler, rancher, or station operator in the area. The location served travelers along historic routes through the Steptoe Valley long before formal highway development.

The broader region saw activity from the Pony Express and Central Overland Route in the 1860s, with nearby ranches and stage stops supporting cross-country travel. Lages Station itself emerged in the early 20th century as automobile traffic increased along evolving federal highways, including alignments of the historic Lincoln Highway.

Development as a Roadside Stop (20th Century)

Lages Station functioned mainly as a practical roadside service point for motorists in one of Nevada’s most isolated stretches. It typically included:

  • A gas station
  • Convenience store / small restaurant or diner
  • Basic lodging or motel rooms
  • RV park facilities

During its peak mid-20th century period, the settlement supported a small population (estimated at 10–20 residents at times) sustained by highway traffic, local ranching, and travelers heading between Ely, Wells, and beyond. It served as a welcome oasis in the vast desert, offering fuel, food, and rest in an area with few other services.

The junction’s strategic position made it a key navigational point: U.S. 93 continues north toward Wells and Interstate 80, while the Alternate route provides another path through the region.

Decline and Modern Era

As with many small Nevada roadside communities, Lages Station declined in the late 20th century due to improved vehicles with longer ranges, highway realignments, and rural depopulation. Major mining operations in the county (such as copper in Ely/Ruth) had less direct impact here compared to transportation services.

By the early 2000s, the settlement had become a near-ghost town. As of 2007, only a single family remained, operating the last gas station and living in the former commercial buildings. In later years, the gas station and associated services largely closed, with the structures repurposed primarily as a private residence (notably occupied by the Gledhill family in some accounts).

Today, it is classified as a ghost town with minimal remaining activity. Travelers may still see the cluster of buildings at the junction, but services are generally unavailable.

Legacy

Lages Station represents a different facet of White Pine County’s history — not a booming mining camp, but a humble waystation that supported the flow of people and goods across Nevada’s vast interior in the automobile age. It highlights the challenges and resilience of remote outposts dependent on transient traffic rather than mineral wealth.

The site remains a minor landmark for road trippers, historians, and those exploring U.S. 93. Its quiet presence underscores the isolation and stark beauty of the Great Basin landscape.

Sources

This report draws from Wikipedia entries, traveler accounts (such as blogs and road trip journals), USGS mapping data, and regional Nevada historical resources. Information on Lages Station is relatively sparse compared to major mining towns, reflecting its modest scale and function.

Hobson, Nevada – White Pine County Ghost Town

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Ghost Towns of White Pine County, Nevada
Ghost Towns of White Pine County, Nevada

Hobson is a small ghost town in White Pine County, eastern Nevada, located in or near Ruby Valley on the western side of Ruby Lake. Its coordinates are approximately 40.07444° N, 115.53278° W, at an elevation of about 6,020 feet (1,835 m).

Unlike many White Pine County settlements tied to mining booms, Hobson is best known as the site of Fort Ruby (also called Camp Ruby), a U.S. Army post and National Historic Landmark. The area served as a key stop along the Overland Trail and Pony Express route.

Founding and Military History (1862)

Fort Ruby was established in September 1862 during the American Civil War by the United States Army. Its primary purpose was to protect emigrants, stagecoaches, and telegraph lines along the Overland Trail from potential Native American attacks and to secure the vital transportation and communication link between California and the Union states.

The fort was strategically placed at the east entrance to the Overland Pass into Ruby Valley, near the Ruby Mountains. It housed between 100 and 300 soldiers at its peak and included barracks, officer quarters, storehouses, and other military structures.

The post played a defensive role in the remote high-desert environment, where harsh winters and isolation made service challenging. It was never a large permanent installation but served as an important temporary emergency outpost.

Post-Civil War Period and Civilian Settlement

After the Civil War ended, the military presence at Fort Ruby diminished. The fort was eventually abandoned by the Army in the late 1860s or early 1870s.

A small civilian settlement known as Hobson developed near the former fort site. It remained a modest community supporting local ranching, stage travel, and overland activities. A post office operated intermittently in the area, and the site retained some importance due to its location along historic travel corridors.

By 1940, the population of Hobson was recorded as just 25 residents, reflecting its decline into a tiny ranching outpost.

Decline and Abandonment

Hobson never experienced the dramatic mining booms seen in nearby areas like Hamilton, Treasure City, or Shermantown. Its economy was tied more to transportation, military presence, and limited agriculture/ranching in Ruby Valley rather than mineral extraction.

As railroads and improved roads bypassed the remote valley, and with the end of stagecoach and Pony Express eras, the settlement faded. By the mid-20th century, it had become a true ghost town, with only ruins remaining from both the fort and later civilian structures.

Legacy and Current Remains

Hobson and Fort Ruby hold historical significance for their role in protecting the Overland Trail during a critical period in American history. Fort Ruby was designated a National Historic Landmark and added to the National Register of Historic Places in 1966.

Today, visitors can find:

  • Foundations and ruins of the original fort buildings
  • Interpretive trails and markers (a historical trail was opened in recent years)
  • Remnants of the small settlement in the scenic Ruby Valley setting near Ruby Lake

The site offers insight into Civil War-era frontier military life in the Great Basin and the challenges of maintaining supply lines across the vast Nevada landscape. It attracts historians, military history enthusiasts, and those exploring Nevada’s Pony Express and Overland Trail heritage.

Historical Context

While White Pine County is famous for its intense 1860s–1870s silver mining rushes, Hobson represents a different facet of the county’s history — transportation, communication, and military protection during national crisis. It complements other sites like Fort Schellbourne in the same county.

Sources

This report is based on National Park Service records, Nevada historical resources, and accounts of Fort Ruby’s military role. Shawn Hall’s books on White Pine County ghost towns also provide valuable context for the region.

Eightmile, Nevada – White Pine County Ghost Town

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Ghost Towns of White Pine County, Nevada
Ghost Towns of White Pine County, Nevada

Eightmile (also known as Eight Mile or Eight Mile Station) is a historic locale and ghost town site in eastern White Pine County, Nevada. It sits at an elevation of approximately 5,541 feet (1,689 m) along Spring Creek, near coordinates 39°58′16″N 114°04′33″W. The site lies on what is now part of the Goshute Indian Reservation.

Unlike the mining boom towns common in White Pine County (such as Shermantown, Aurum, or Hamilton), Eightmile’s primary historical significance stems from its role as a transportation and communication stop rather than mineral extraction.

Founding and Pony Express Era (1860–1861)

Eightmile originated as Eight Mile Station (also called Prairie Gate or Spring Station), one of the key relay stations on the legendary Pony Express route. Established in 1860, it served as a stop where riders could change horses and rest briefly during the high-speed mail delivery between St. Joseph, Missouri, and Sacramento, California.

The station was strategically located roughly eight miles from a previous stop, fitting the typical 10–15 mile spacing needed for fresh horses. It functioned as part of the Central Overland Route, which later supported stagecoach operations.

Notable Incident (1863): On March 23, 1863, Goshute Indians, led by a chief known as White Horse, attacked and burned the station, killing the station keeper. This event helped spark the Overland (or Goshute) War, a series of conflicts between Native American groups and settlers/companies using the trail.

During the American Civil War and the subsequent Snake War period, the U.S. Army (including troops from nearby Fort Ruby) frequently garrisoned or patrolled the station to protect the vital transportation corridor linking the western territories to the East before the transcontinental railroad’s completion in 1869.

Later Use (1860s–1900s)

After the Pony Express ended in October 1861 (replaced by faster telegraph service and stage lines), Eightmile continued operating as a stagecoach station along the Central Overland Route. It supported mail, passenger, and freight transport across Nevada’s high desert.

In the early 20th century, the area transitioned to ranching. A sheep ranch was established around the 1900s. The Lincoln Highway (one of America’s earliest transcontinental auto routes) also passed through the area on its path from Ibapah, Utah, toward Ely, Nevada.

Decline and Modern Era

By the 1930s, the site had largely faded as a distinct settlement. In 1938, the U.S. Government acquired the land for use by the Goshute people. A nearby ranch known as the Georgetta Ranch has also been associated with the broader Eightmile area.

Today, the location appears primarily as private residences or ranch-related structures on the Goshute Indian Reservation. Remnants of the original Pony Express station are minimal but have been noted by historians and explorers, including foundations or ruins typical of remote overland stations.

Historical Context and Legacy

Eightmile represents the critical infrastructure that supported westward expansion in the mid-19th century. While White Pine County is famous for its silver and copper mining rushes, sites like Eightmile highlight the importance of the Pony Express and Overland Trail in connecting isolated regions and facilitating communication during the Civil War era.

The station’s violent history underscores the tensions between Native American tribes and encroaching transportation networks. Its survival into the automobile age via the Lincoln Highway adds another layer to its transportation heritage.

Sources

This report draws from Nevada historical resources, Pony Express National Historic Trail documentation, and county histories. Eightmile remains a quiet but meaningful waypoint for those tracing Nevada’s overland trails and Native American history in the region.