Nevada is a state rich in history and natural beauty, but also home to hundreds of ghost towns that tell the stories of its past. From mining camps to railroad hubs, these deserted communities are a fascinating and eerie sight to behold. Here are seven of the most interesting abandoned and forgotten ghost towns in Nevada.
Nelson
Nelson is located in Eldorado Canyon, about 40 kilometers south of Boulder City. It was founded by deserters of the Civil War, who hoped to escape the authorities and find gold in the area. The town was notorious for its lawlessness and violence, as well as its rich mineral deposits. A flash flood in 1974 destroyed most of the town, but some buildings and relics remain, including old cars, airplane props, and western-themed sets used for filming.
Rhyolite
Rhyolite was a booming mining town in the Bullfrog Hills, about 190 kilometers northwest of Las Vegas. It was established in 1905 after a gold discovery, and soon had all the amenities of a modern city, such as a bank, a stock exchange, an opera house, and a train depot. However, the town’s prosperity was short-lived, as earthquakes and a stock crash in 1907 led to its decline and abandonment. Today, visitors can see the ruins of the marble bank, the bottle house, and the train station, among other structures.
Belmont
Belmont was another silver mining town, founded in 1865 in the Toquima Range. It was the county seat of Nye County until 1905, and had a population of about 2,000 people at its peak. The town had a mill, a courthouse, a school, a newspaper, and several saloons and hotels. The town declined after the silver ran out and a fire destroyed most of the buildings in 1911. Some of the remaining landmarks include the courthouse, the Cosmopolitan Saloon, and the Combination Mill.
Metropolis
Metropolis was an agricultural town in the north of Nevada, near the Idaho border. It was founded in 1910 by a land and water company from New York, who hoped to create a farming community in the desert. The town had a hotel, a school, a church, a post office, and a railroad station. However, the town faced many challenges, such as water shortages, crop failures, lawsuits, and a plague of jackrabbits. The town was abandoned by the 1940s, and only the hotel and the school remain.
Gold Point
Gold Point was a gold and silver mining town in the southwest of Nevada, near the California border. It was founded in 1868 as Lime Point, and later renamed Hornsilver and then Gold Point. The town had a post office, a general store, a saloon, and a newspaper. The town survived until the 1960s, when the last residents left. Today, the town is owned by a couple who have restored some of the buildings and offer tours and accommodations to visitors.
Blair
Blair was a mining town in the south of Nevada, near the Death Valley National Park. It was founded in 1906 as a company town for the Blair Nevada Mining Company, which operated a large mill and a cyanide plant. The town had a population of about 700 people, and had a school, a hospital, a theater, and a baseball team. The town was abandoned in 1915, when the company moved its operations to nearby Silver Peak. The ruins of the mill and the cyanide plant can still be seen.
Delamar
Delamar was a gold mining town in the central part of Nevada, in the Delamar Mountains. It was founded in 1894, and soon became known as the “widow maker” because of the high mortality rate among the miners, who suffered from silicosis caused by the dust from the quartz ore. The town had a population of about 1,500 people, and had a school, a church, a hospital, and a newspaper. The town was destroyed by a fire in 1909, and was abandoned by 1920. The ruins of a three-story building and a cemetery are among the remnants of the town.
Conclusion
Nevada’s ghost towns are a testament to the state’s history and culture, as well as the dreams and hardships of the people who lived there. They offer a glimpse into a bygone era, and a chance to explore and learn from the past. Whether you are looking for adventure, mystery, or nostalgia, Nevada’s ghost towns have something for everyone.