The Tuscarora Times-Review was a significant publication in the small mining town of Tuscarora, Nevada, during the late 19th and early 20th centuries. Operating from 1887 to 1903, the newspaper served as a vital source of local, regional, and national news for a community centered around the silver and gold mining industry. This report explores the newspaper’s history, its role in the community, its publishers, and its legacy, drawing on available historical records.
Background and Establishment
The Tuscarora Times-Review was established in Tuscarora, Nevada, a town founded in 1867 after gold discoveries by brothers John and Steven Beard. The town’s name was inspired by a U.S. gunboat, itself named after the Tuscarora Indigenous people of North Carolina. A major silver strike in 1871 spurred the town’s growth, relocating it to its present site on the slopes of Mount Blitzen. By the 1880s, Tuscarora was a bustling mining community, necessitating a local newspaper to document its activities and connect residents with broader events.
The newspaper succeeded the Tuscarora Times and Mining Review (1883–1886) and began publication on January 3, 1887, under the editorship of O.L.C. Fairchild. It was published weekly, starting with volume 18, number 19, indicating continuity from its predecessor. The Times-Review ran until December 26, 1903, covering a 16-year period marked by the rise and decline of Tuscarora’s mining economy.
Publication Details
- Publication Period: January 3, 1887 – December 26, 1903
- Frequency: Weekly
- Volume Range: Vol. 18, no. 19 (Jan. 3, 1887) to Vol. 47, no. 35 (Dec. 26, 1903)
- Publishers:
- O.L.C. Fairchild (1887–unknown period)
- Bingham Bros. (June 15, 1887 – November 17, 1900)
- T.C. Plunkett & Son (November 20, 1900 – July 16, 1903)
- W.D. Plunkett (July 18, 1903 – December 26, 1903)
- Note on Errors: The newspaper was known to have frequent misnumbering of issues, a common issue in small-town publications of the era.
The Tuscarora Times-Review was a four-page newspaper, typical of frontier publications, featuring local news, mining reports, advertisements, and stories from the broader American West. Its rarity is noted, as newspapers west of the Mississippi before 1900 are scarce, making surviving issues valuable historical artifacts.
Role in the Community
The Tuscarora Times-Review played a crucial role in documenting life in Tuscarora during its mining boom. It covered topics such as:
- Mining Industry: Reports on silver and gold strikes, mine operations, and economic developments were central, reflecting the town’s primary industry. The newspaper’s proximity to the Tuscarora volcanic field, a hub for Eocene-era epithermal deposits, underscores its focus on mining news.
- Local Events: Social gatherings, community disputes, and daily life, including issues like “Trouble with Tramps,” were regular features.
- Wildlife and Environment: The newspaper occasionally reported on fish and game, reflecting the region’s natural resources and their importance to residents. References to these topics from 1884–1903 are preserved in the Fred Wright Collection at the University of Nevada, Reno.
- Advertisements: Local businesses, saloons, and services advertised in the paper, providing insight into the town’s economy and culture.
As one of the few communication channels in a remote area, the newspaper connected Tuscarora’s residents—miners, merchants, and families—to each other and the outside world. Its coverage of “cowboys, Indians, saloons, gold miners, and gunfights” captures the quintessential Old West atmosphere of the time.
Challenges and Decline
The Times-Review faced challenges typical of frontier newspapers, including limited resources, small staff, and reliance on a fluctuating local economy. The frequent change in publishers suggests financial or operational difficulties. By the early 1900s, Tuscarora’s mining industry began to wane, reducing the town’s population and economic vitality. This decline likely contributed to the newspaper’s cessation in 1903, as the community could no longer sustain a local publication.
Archival Preservation
Surviving issues of the Tuscarora Times-Review are held in various libraries and archives, as documented by the Library of Congress’s Chronicling America project. The newspaper is also referenced in the University of Nevada, Reno’s Special Collections, particularly for its wildlife-related content. Researchers can access these materials on-site, though some collections are restricted under state or federal law.
The Library of Congress provides a MARCXML record for the Times-Review, and Chronicling America offers digitized pages from 1756–1963, though not all issues may be available. The newspaper’s historical significance is enhanced by its inclusion in these collections, ensuring its availability for future study.
Legacy
The Tuscarora Times-Review remains a valuable primary source for understanding life in a late-19th-century Nevada mining town. Its reports offer insights into the social, economic, and environmental dynamics of Tuscarora, as well as the broader American West. The newspaper’s focus on mining aligns with the region’s geological significance, as evidenced by modern studies of the Tuscarora Au-Ag District.
Today, Tuscarora is a near-ghost town, with picturesque ruins and a functioning post office as remnants of its past. The Times-Review encapsulates the town’s vibrant history, preserving stories of a community shaped by the pursuit of precious metals. Its legacy endures through archival collections and the continued interest in Nevada’s mining heritage.
Conclusion
The Tuscarora Times-Review (1887–1903) was more than a local newspaper; it was a chronicle of a fleeting era in Tuscarora, Nevada. Through its pages, historians glimpse the triumphs and struggles of a mining community in the American West. Despite its short lifespan and operational challenges, the newspaper’s preserved issues remain a testament to the resilience and spirit of Tuscarora’s residents. As part of broader archival efforts, the Times-Review continues to inform and inspire research into Nevada’s rich historical tapestry.
Sources
- Chronicling America, Library of Congress
- Timothy Hughes Rare & Early Newspapers
- University of Nevada, Reno, Special Collections Department
- ResearchGate, Tuscarora Au-Ag District
- Travel Nevada, Tuscarora History