NVGHOSTTOWNS.COM
LANDER COUNTY
GHOST TOWNS
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All sites listed in the Lander County list have been personally visited!
More detailed history and concise directions are available in my book
"Romancing Nevada's Past: Ghost Towns and Historical Sites of Eureka, Lander, and White Pine Counties, Nevada."
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AMADOR (CORAL CITY) Photos
Discovered in 1863. Rush developed quickly and townsite laid out. By end of year, population of 200. Ore deposits shallow, however, and most mines were emptied by 1866. Post office closed in 1866 and Amador was abandoned by the end of the year. 1.5 mile hike is required to reach site but it still has many interesting stone ruins. Well worth the hike.
ARGENTA (BATTLE MOUNTAIN STATION) Photos
Silver discovered at Argenta in 1866. Became the first Central Pacific Railroad stop in Lander County. Post office opened in 1868. Establishment of Battle Mountain doomed town. Most buildings were moved there during the early 1870s. Post office closed in 1874 and Argenta was completely abandoned by the end of the year. Nothing of the early years remains.
AUSTIN Photos
Austin has a very detailed history, too extensive to cover here. However, a booklet on Austin I wrote is available on the book list page. It will also be the subject of a profile very soon.
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BAILEY (BAILY)
Bailey served as a siding for the Nevada Central Railroad beginning in 1880. A post office operated from 1880 to 1887. Nothing remains.
BANNOCK (LIMELITE)
Rich gold was discovered during the summer of 1909. A rush to the area quickly materialized. By the end of the year, a post office, numerous business and a population of 200 were at Bannock. However, one week the ore was there, the next week it was gone. By summer 1910, the town was abandoned. Only placer dumps mark the site.
BATTLE MOUNTAIN (SAFFORD)
Town established in 1867 as a supply center for nearby mining districts. Originally located south of Copper Basin, town was moved when Central Pacific came through in 1868. Town became important railroad and stage center. Post office opened in 1870. By 1880, town had population of 500 and the completion of the Nevada Central Railroad to Austin brought added importance. A 300 car siding was built. After mining slumped, the town became the central shipping point for livestock. Over the years, the town has endured through the ups and downs of local mining. Today it is the county seat, having replaced Austin in 1980. While much of what makes up Battle Mountain is of more recent origin, a search of the back streets reveals many vintage buildings.
BETTY O'NEAL (KIMBALL)(KIMBERLY) Photos
Discovered in 1881 but two fires destroyed the mine works and led to the closing of the Betty O'Neal Mine in 1883. Reopened in 1907 and a new camp developed but the mine closed again in 1911. Noble Getchell bought the mine in 1922 and greatly expanded operations. However, the town never revitalized because in the age of automobile, most miners resided in Battle Mountain. The low price of silver forced a slowdown in 1929 and finally closed for good in 1932. Between 1881 and 1932, $2.4 million was produced. Not much remains at the site, mainly the mill ruins. The town site is off limits to visitors.
BRIDGES
Served as a six car siding for the Nevada Central Railroad from 1880 until it folded. Named for Lyman Bridges, railroad president. Nothing remains.
BUCKINGHAM CAMP
Silver discovered in 1918. A small camp formed but most workers lived in nearby Copper Basin. A 50 ton mill was built in 1926. The mill closed in 1930 after silver prices dropped. Little other activity has taken place since. Mining remains, including the substantial remains of the mill, are left.
BUNKER HILL (VICTORINE) Photos
Initial discoveries made in 1863. A 20 stamp mill was built by mine owners in Kingston in 1864. Kingston soon became the main settlement and Bunker Hill just a place for mining activity. When the mill closed in 1869, all the mines at Bunker Hill shut down. Stone remains, mine and mill ruins remain at Bunker Hill. One of the nicest camgrounds in Nevada is located nearby.
BURRO
Formed during 1906. Small camp of 25 developed. Post office operated from 1906 to 1907. Little else took place after the Valley View Mine closed in 1907. Only a couple of stone ruins remain.
BUZANES CAMP Photos
John Buzanes discovered gold here in 1926. A mill was built in 1928 but ore values dropped in 1929. All operations ceased in 1930 and no other activity has taken place. Only one bunkhouse stands amid remains of a couple other collapsed wood buildings.
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CAMPBELL RANCH (Blaine)(Granite) Photos
Ore was originally discovered in 1878 but didn't blossom until the 1890s when a 5-stamp mill was built. By 1909, all activity had permanently ceased except at the Cuba Mine which was active from 1911 until 1960. Total district production is $201,000.
CANYON (Reese River Canyon)
Canyon was a 16 car siding on the Nevada Central Railroad from 1880 until the closure of the railroad in the 1930s. Nothing remains.
CANYON CITY (Big Creek)(Lander City)(Watertown)(Mineral City)(Montrose)(Middletown) Photos
Discovered in 1863 and Canyon City formed. By 1864, a town with a population of 1600. Two large stamp mills were also built. All the mines started to go dry in 1866 and by 1867, all mines had closed. From 1863 to 1867, $500K produced. New mining began in 1891 and continued until 1898. Another revival took place4 from 1907 until 1922 but production was small. An open pit gold mine active during the 1980s produced a substantial amount. The different Big Creek settlements are scattered along the canyon. Stone and brick ruins mark the site of Canyon City and Lander City.
CARROLL STATION Photos
A long-time stage station beginning in the 1870s. After the advent of automobiles, a filling station operated for many years.
CATONS
Catons was a 20 car siding on the Nevada Central Railroad from 1880 until the 1930s. Nothing remains of the siding although some interesting old ranch buildings still stand.
CLIFTON Photos
Clifton sprang into existence in 1862 due to Talcott's discovery at the future site of Austin. Clifton offered a better building site and pre-dates the establishment of Austin. By 1863, a tent city of 500 formed. A rivalry started between the two towns and when Austin offered free lots, most of the population moved there. Later in the year, when Austin was named county seat, Clifton was doomed. By 1864, the town was abandoned. The arrival of the Nevada Central Railroad in 1880 brought life back. Now called Austin Junction, the town was the terminus of the railroad due to the steep climb into Austin. The narrow gauge Austin City Railroad took the freight up the hill to Austin. However, no one but railroad workers lived in the town. Today remains are scant. Mill ruins and old railroad beds are the only markers of the site.
CLINTON Photos
Clinton was one of the early camps in Lander County, having been discovered in 1863. A small boom started and a post office opened. However, the boom went bust in 1864 and after 1866, has been completely abandoned.
COPPER BASIN
Discovered in 1897 and a camp of 50 formed. Mines operated intermittenly until 1917. Major production from 1918 to 1920. All mines idle after that until 1935. Mines worked on and off until 1957. Real boom came in 1967 when an open pit gold mine began operations. Millions were produced before operations ceased during the 1990s. A couple of wood shacks remain at the old town site but must disappeared during the open pit operation.
COPPER CANYON (COPPER)(NATOMAS)
Initially discovered in 1871. However, prohibitive production costs ended all mining by the end of the 1870s. Major revival began in 1897. The town had a consistent population of 50 until the mines closed in 1957. Total production was over $3 million. Battle Mountain Gold has had a large open pit gold mine at the site that began operations in 1967 and still is active today. All remains of the town were erased by the new mining.
CORTEZ Photos
Cortez was established in 1862. By 1865, mining was in full swing and the town had a population of 400. Peak from 1887 to 1891 when more than 300K was produced each year. Leasors worked mines from 1895 to 1919. Town revitalized when new company came in, reopened mines, and had a work force of 150. Impressive production until the early 1930s. More than $2 million produced from 1919 to 1929. Total production was over $14 million. Open pit mine in operation at Cortez now but company is very historically conscious and made special efforts to reroute roads so the old and fascinating townsite would not be destroyed. A big thumb's up to this mining company...setting a shining example!
CURTIS
Curtis was a 40 car siding on the Nevada Central Railroad from 1880 until the 1930s. Only a collapsed building marks the site.
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DILLON
Dillon was a railroad siding on the Nevada Central Railroad. Nothing remains.
DRY CREEK STATION (Capehorn Overland Stage Station) Photos
Dry Creek was a stop on both the Pony Express and Overland Stage routes. The station was built in 1860. After the Overland ceased running in 1869, Dry Creek reverted to a ranch, which is still in operation. Stone foundations near the ranch mark the Pony Express station. A partially standing stone building is all that is left of the Overland station.
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FRISBIE
Small camp active during the 1880s. Grew to have 25 people. Abandoned by the mid 1890s. Stone ruins mark the site.
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GALENA (Blanco) Photos
Initially discovered in 1863 but town didn't form 1866. Population of 100 in 1868. By 1873, 250. Mining faded during early 1880s although town had a population of 348 in 1881. Basically abandoned by 1890 although post office remained open until 1907. Revived some during the teens. Total production is $6 million. Mines, mill and smelter ruins remain. Exceptionally beautiful canyon setting.
GALENA (Lewis Junction)
12 car siding on the Nevada Central Railroad, used as shipping point for the town of Lewis. Active from 1880 to 1938. One small railroad building survives on the Marvel Ranch.
GENEVA Photos
Discovered in 1863. By 1864, population of 500. However, the mines gave out in 1867. Quickly abandoned and no activity until 1916. Active until 1921. A true ghost town since. Total production of $100K. However, many interesting stone cabins mark the surprisingly expansive town site.
GOLD ACRES Photos
Discovered in 1936. A company town of 300 formed. Mining continued until 1961 and town was abandoned. All of the buildings bulldozed shortly after. Production was $10 million. Foundations and wood rubble remain.
GRASS VALLEY (Spencer)
Grass Valley has rich ranching history beginning in 1873. George Wingfield owned ranch here during teens. Several old buildings still remain.
GUADALAJARA (Sante Fe) Photos
Organized in 1863. Big boom in 1864 with a population of 150. Ore pockets were shallow and by 1870, little mining and only 50 people left. By 1880s, a ghost town for good. Incredible ghost town though, more than 20 stone ruins remain including some with gun ports. On private property.
GWEENAH
Discovered in 1908 and booomed with its nearby neighbor Skookum. Combined population of 200. However both camps folded in 1910. Total production only 15K. Only small mine dumps mark the site.
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HILLTOP (Kimball)(Marble City)(Marble Canyon) Photos
Originally a small camp for travellers named Marble City during the 1860s. The town of Hilltop formed after gold was discovered in 1906. By 1909, town had 200 people. Mines active until 1927. Total production was $1.5 million. Extensive ruins are left scattered up Hilltop Canyon. One of the best spots in Lander County.
HOT SPRINGS (Watts) Photos
Hot Springs was a stage stop during the 1870s. 60 hot springs are located at the site. In 1880, became a siding for the Nevada Central Railroad and a ranch was established. Site abandoned in 1938 when railroad folded. Original buildings still stand, the hot springs are dry.
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JACOBSVILLE (Jacobs Spring)(Jacobs Well)(Jacobs Station)(Reese River Station)
First established as a Pony Express station. Later used as an Overland Stage stop until station was moved to booming Austin. Named county seat in 1862 and had a population of 400 in 1863. Lost county seat in late 1863 and abandoned by the end of 1864. Scattered stone and brick foundations mark the site.
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KINGSTON (Summit)(Morgan) Photos
Established in 1864. Four mills were operating by 1866. Peak population of 125. Abandoned by 1870. Revived for a short period during early 1880s and again from 1906 to 1911. Extensive mill ruins and other stone remains are scattered amid a newer housing development.
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LANDER (Bullion)(Campbell District) Photos
Initial discoveries in 1873 but mines closed in 1875. Revival in 1880 led to formation of the town of Lander. Population of 100 by 1883. Mills closed in 1885 and most left although about 20 stayed through the 1890s. Small revival from 1906 to 1909. Total production of $650K. Stone ruins mark the townsite.
LEDLIE
Important stop on Nevada Central Railroad from 1880 to 1938. During construction, served as shipping point although no town really formed since workers came from nearby Austin. After 1910, only used sparingly. Only a collapsed building and telegraph pole mark the site.
LEWIS (Lower Town)(Middle Town)(Upper Town)(Dean) Photos More Photos
Initial discoveries made in 1867 although town didn't form until 1874. By 1880, the three sections of Lewis was 216. The 12-mile Battle Mountain and Lewis Railway was built to connect with the Nevada Central Railroad in 1881. However, forced to fold in 1882 after mines began to fail and huge fire destroyed most of town. Miners strike in 1885 ended the town. During its short existence, mines produced $3.7 million. Lewis is a super ghost town and a must visit. Many ruins, including the huge mills, are scattered up the canyon.
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McCOY (Wildhorse)
Gold originally discovered in 1914. Mercury produced from 1918 to 1925. Extensive gold deposits discovered in 1928. Camp of 75 formed. Ore ran out in 1931. Total production was $95K. A open pit gold mine operated during the 1980s and 1990s but now is closed. A couple of wood houses remain.
MOUND SPRINGS
Served as a siding for the Nevada Central Railroad from 1880 to 1938. Nothing remains.
MOUNT AIRY
Thought to be a Pony Express station but not true. Station wasn't built until 1862, after Pony Express had folded. Overland Stage built station to replace Dry Wells Station. The station served various stage lines until the 1890s. Faint crumbling walls mark the site.
MUD SPRINGS
Discovered in 1885 but only mined for a year. New discoveries made in 1907. 30 residents by 1908 but in 1909 mines went dry and town was abandoned. Three cabins remain.
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NEW PASS (Franklin) Photos
Gold was discovered in 1865. New Pass peaked in 1868 with a population of 50 but mines failed and town abandoned by 1871. Small revival from 1900 to 1904. Intermittent activity from 1929 to 1941. A couple of wood buildings stand and stone ruins and remains of three mills are nearby.
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PATTERSON'S MILL Photos
PITTSBURGH (Pittsburg) Photos
First discovered in 1878, it wasn't until 1884 that extensive development began. Between 1886 and 1887, $126K was produced and Pittsburg had a population of 100. By the mid 1890s, production dropped dramatically and only 20 people were left. The town was a complete ghost by 1908. Large mill foundations and one small shack mark the site.
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RAVENSWOOD (Shoshone)
Silver was discovered in 1863 and a small camp formed. Only limited production took place and in 1870, the camp was abandoned. First extensive mining took place from 1906 to 1908. No activity since. Ravenswood was also the name of a siding on the Nevada Central Railroad but was located 3 miles away. Nothing remains at either site.
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SILVER CREEK Photos
Silver Creek was a stop on the Nevada Central Railroad from 1880 to 1938. A 40 car siding was built and a small settlement formed. A school ran from 1881 to 1914. A few collapsed buildings and hundreds of railroad ties mark the site.
SIMPSON PARK Photos
Simpson Park served as a station on the Pony Express. Later, the Overland Stage used the station until the route was moved south to Austin. Later, a ranch operated here for many years. Numerous stone foundations mark the site. A small cemetery with six graves, including one for the Pony Express stationmaster killed in an Indian attack, are nearby but the markers are long gone.
SKOOKUM
Discovered in 1906, at the same time at Gweenah, the two camps quickly had a population of 200. But the towns were abandoned by 1909 although minor production continued until 1914. Total production was less than $15K. Only a collapsed shack and a mine shaft mark the site.
SMITH CREEK STATION (Maestretti)(Edwards Creek)
Served as a station on the Pony Express and later the Overland Stage. The Maestretti family ran a ranch here for three generations. The ranch is still active and some original buildings remain. A half-adobe, half-brick building is part of the original Pony Express station.
STARR
A short-lived mining camp that formed during 1881 and had a population of about 25. By the end of 1882, it was completely abandoned. Mine dumps and scattered rubble remain.
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TELLURIDE
While limited mining activity took place beginning in 1875, the camp of Telluride didn't form until 1911. A camp of 50 formed but the mine quickly played out and Telluride was abandoned by the end of 1912. Only scattered rubble marks the site.
TENABO (Raleigh) Photos
Tenabo boomed beginning in 1906 and by 1907, had a population of 1000. However, the expense of producing ore became more expensive than the ore value and the mines closed in 1912. Tenabo quickly faded. A new camp of Raleigh developed in nearby Mill Gulch in 1916 after placer gold was discovered. The camp quickly faded although mining continued. A huge dredge was in operation during the 1930s and Mill Gulch was the top placer producer in Nevada in 1938. The mines were pretty much abandoned until 1972. Today, an active open pit gold mine still operates at the site. Wooden buildings stand at the townsite and in Mill Gulch, more buildings and mill ruins remain.
TRENTON (Trenton Mill)(Buffalo Valley District)
Silver was discovered in 1869. 15 people lived at the remote camp. The mill and mine closed in 1873. Mine reopened in 1912 and operated off and on until 1947. Production is over $300K. Mine dumps and mill ruins remain.
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VAUGHN'S (Clark's)
Small station and siding on the Nevada Central Railroad from 1880 to 1938. Nothing marks the site.
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WALTERS Photos
Served as a stop and recreational spot on the Nevada Central Railroad from 1880 to 1938. The Austin "Picnic" Train made weekend trips to the site, which not only boasted large grassy areas but also a baseball diamond. Today, the solid stone station still stands, a beautiful reminder of the past.
WALTI HOT SPRINGS Photos
WILLOW CREEK (Roberts Creek Station)(Sheawit Creek)(Leopold District) Photos
One of the original Pony Express stations. However, once it folded, the station was used by the Overland Stage. A successful ranch was organized. Some mining took place locally during the 1870s. A number of old log structures remain.
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YANKEE BLADE (Yandleville) Photos
Sprang up during 1863. By 1864, more than 30 cabins comprised the high altitude camp. A number of mills built including a 15 and 20 stamp. However, water was struck in the mines during 1867 and closed all but two mines. The town continued to struggle on and still had 50 people in 1875 but by the 1880s, was abandoned. A small revival took place from 1900 to 1914. A foot hike is required to reach the site but it is well worth the breathless walk. Many stone ruins remain including the walls of three mills.
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