Lincoln County Nevada Ghost Towns

I have not personally visited all the ghost towns on this list. Lincoln County will be the subject of a future book of mine but current conditions listed, if not visited by myself, are reports from fellow ghosttowners or other literary sources. For additional information, consult Stanley Paher's Nevada Ghost Towns and Mining Camps.

Editor's Note 6/13/04: Many thanks to Bob Maichle from Las Vegas, a knowledgeable historian who greatly helped in expanding this list! Internet users will recognize him as "Another Bob" on ghost town posts.

Acoma was a station, siding, engine water location, and once a thriving community on the San Pedro, Los Angeles, & Salt Lake Railroad, now Union Pacific. Acoma supported a Post Office from April 29, 1905, to Dec. 16,1907, and again from Jan. 14, 1910, to Nov. 15, 1913. Numerous sources suggest that this was also a mining camp but have not found first hard evidence to support those claims. The station and housing are long dismantled. The foundations of an old farm house can be found down by the well. Today, a modern home, built upon the hill, overlooks the well area, cow pasture, and railroad siding. The Union Pacific Railroad is crossed by the County Road to Beaver Dam State Park adjacent to where the old station and railroad worker domiciles were located.

While the community of Alamo was settled in 1900, the roots of the community trace back to 1865. Early evidence of occupation can be found from the upper reaches of old Maynard Lake to Ash Springs. Often referred to on pre-1900 maps as Wright’s Ranch or Wrights, Alamo first flourished as an agricultural source for the Delamar Mining District. Alamo has had its post office sine 1905.

Silver was discovered in 1869 but the rush to the area was halted by the discoveries at Hamilton in White Pine County. But in 1871, work began again and two mills were in full operation by the next year. Production continued until 1878. A new strike in 1909 brought about 100 to the district. But the ore wasn't rich enough to sustain the camp and it folded the next year. Wood cabins remain.

A siding on the Prince Consolidated Mining and Smelting Company Railroad, later Union Pacific where the Pioche Pacific (narrow gauge railroad running from Pioche to Jackrabbit) crossed and ran parallel to the regular gauge siding. Rail grades and some foundations remain.

BENNETT (Bennett’s Springs)

Popular stop on the main road from Panaca to Bennett Pass. This was the main road in the area as roads from Bennett Pass lead to Bristol Well, Comet, Delamar, Frieburg, Hiko Richardville and Las Vegas). A half mile east of Bennett was a junction for where the road to Pioche and Bullionville split north from the road to Panaca. Later a road to Caliente left southeast from Bennett, linking up with the Klondike Gap road. A ranch and small community soon developed . A lovely pond and broken down corrals remain but there is scant evidence of former structures.

Springs at the end of Water Canyon above Highland were the purpose of this small camp. Little remains but it is a pretty place to explore.

A railroad station north of Elgin on the former San Pedro, Los Angeles and Salt Lake RR and still a siding on the Union Pacific, this Meadow Valley Wash has an interesting past. It served as a supply location for the nearby Kaolin mine. There is also an story of a lost freight train in the same 1910 flood that relocated Elgin.

National City was established in 1870 after silver was discovered. Little production until 1878. New strikes led to a boom and the town was renamed Bristol. Population rose as high as 700 but mining faded and the town was empty by 1884. A revival began in the early teens and a tramway was linked to the railroad. The town didn't revive but the Bristol Mine still is an occasional producer. Mill ruins and foundations remain.

Came into existence when owners of the Bristol mine at National City built a furnace in 1872. Slowly began a milling center and by 1890, had a population of 400. However, the mills closed a couple of years later and the town abandoned by 1893. A couple stone coke ovens, mill ruins, and foundations are left.

Formerly a flag stop station on the San Pedro, Los Angeles and Salt Lake RR and now a siding on the Union Pacific. There may have been some habitation related to the well and not the railroad as well. Located between Acoma siding and Crestline Siding.

Came into being in 1870 as a milling center for Pioche's mines because of plentiful water. The Pioche & Bullionville Railroad, 21 miles long, was built in 1873. The town grew to have 500 residents by 1875. When Pioche completed its water system later that year, Bullionville was doomed. By 1877, all but one of the mills had been dismantled and the town was abandoned by 1880. Since then, the only residents have been leasors reworking the tailings. Mill ruins and foundations abound.

CAMP VALLEY

Remnants of a former community can be found near Camp Valley Well. USGS calls this Camp Valley.

CANA

Was a flag stop station located between Etna and Stine on the original grade of the San Pedro, Los Angeles and Salt Lake RR. Floods of 1907 and 1910 have removed all evidence of the station and siding remains. Later, the name applied to Stine siding.

CARP (Cliffdale, Carpsdale)

Original station on the San Pedro, Los Angeles and Salt Lake RR, later Union Pacific. Settled in 1907 as Cliffdale, renamed for a Railroad employee named Carp, an attempt to establish a post office at Carpsdale, 6/29/1918 was rescinded, a post office was established at Cliffdale 6/7/1921, discontinued when the name was changed 12/1/1925, established as Carp the same day 12/1/1925, and although out of operation in 1973, was not officially discontinued until 7/1/1974. Carp has an interesting history of train wrecks and a killer flood in 1938. Some buildings remain.

Caselton was a company town built in the 1920s by Combined Metals Reduction Company. It was named for J. A. Caselton, an official of National Lead Company. National Lead participated in the operation of Combined Metals and Caselton represented National Lead's interests. The town was the served by branch line from Prince Consolidated Railroad, later absorbed into the Union Pacific. The Combined Metals mine is in Pioche and it was connected to Caselton at the 1,200 foot level via a horizontal shaft. Ore was hauled underground from Pioche to Caselton. Originally the ore was shipped to a mill in Bauer, Utah but in 1940 (or 1941) a 1,000‑ton flotation mill built. The flotation mill was necessary to economically process the lower grade of ore being produced. Later, a company named Pioche Manganese which was affiliated with Combined Metals Reduction constructed a rotary kiln where manganese concentrates were extracted. Caselton is private property. Sadly the railroad was abandoned several years ago and there is little activity now. There are a few residents of nearby Caselton Heights.

CAVE SPRINGS

A 1904 construction camp located at Cave Springs. Cave Springs is where Oak Well Canyon enters Clover Creek. The Utah Construction Company maintained a hospital here for the benefit of the men building the railroad in Meadow Valley Wash. The site is now located along the Union Pacific Railroad between Barclay Siding and Acoma Siding.

CAVE VALLEY

An extended ranch community located in Cave Valley. The community had a post office from June 4, Jun 1926 to February 15, 1933.

CEDARHURST (Donahue Ranch)

An extended ranch community located in Cave Valley. The community had a post office from Aug 11, 1922 to October 31, 1928.

CEDAR WASH STATION

The final booster station in the water pipeline from the Meadow Valley Wash (Stine). Located at the head of Cedar Wash, this sight is difficult to reach.

A small settlement that sprung up because of activity in the Chief Mountain Mining District.

Smelter and small community that developed on the flat below Pioche beginning in 1891. Named for J. B. Claflin, a major stock holder in the Pioche Consolidated Company, who built the smelter.

Stage station on the old Delamar Road took its name from the spring at that site.

An original flag stop station on the San Pedro, Los Angeles and Salt Lake RR, later Union Pacific, first named Saint George, but renamed Rappelje in honor of a railroad official, and renamed Cloud in 1928, for the brother-in-law of another railroad executive. The station was abandoned long before the siding was removed in 1949. Siding was located just north of Lyman Crossing. No much remains.

A Mormon settlement established in the late 1860s with a population around 50. Later became a siding for the Salt Lake Railroad in 1904. Still serves as a siding and a number of buildings & people are still there. Now known as Barclay.

COLD SPRINGS

A locale in Meadow Valley Wash associated with springs of the same name. The original road south from Panaca left Meadow Valley Wash at this location and went overland to Dutch Flat on Clover Creek to avoid the constriction (swamp) at Indian Cove. Perhaps the significance of Cold Springs was the first after the overland route.

COMET

A mining community associated with the Comet and Silver Comet mines on the west side of the Highland Range. Located in 1882, the mines were worked through the 1930s. Interesting place to explore.

COMET SPUR (Comet, Smiley’s Spur)

A siding on the Pioche Branch of the Railroad between Indian Cove and Panaca. The spur was used to ship ore from the Comet mines after the railroad was constructed in 1907. Around 1916, the spur was referred to as Smiley’s Spur for Ed Smiley, manager of the Silver Comet Mill but officially the railroad called this station Comet, causing confusion with the mining community.

A mill and associated community located in the narrows of the Meadow Valley Wash just north of Panaca. The old Pioche & Bullionville narrow‑gauge railroad ran through the canyon, as did the Pioche branch of the Union Pacific. The regular railroad grade was put in by the Oregon Short Line in the late 1890s. The mill was active during the early Pioche boom and also processed some of the first ore from Delamar. It is worth the effort to get there.

A small ranch community located west of Bristol Wells in Dry Lake Valley. There is water at Coyote and evidence of human inhabitation but little else remains.

A settlement associated with a spring halfway between Alamo and Moapa, it was formerly home of a couple brothels but now is a large “recycling” operation.

Early mill location on the west side of Mt Irish. Active in the 1860s. Stone foundations and square nails can be found but beware, the wash leading to it is very sandy.

A former summit station on the San Pedro, Los Angeles and Salt Lake, later Union Pacific Railroad. During the early days of steam, helper engines pushed trains up Clover Creek to Crestline. There was a wye and several structures but a keen eye is necessary as the Union Pacific rerouted their tracks to lesson the grade.

A location in Oak Well Wash where the main road from Clover Valley to old Road from Acoma to Caliente. There is some signs of inhabitation and it is a pleasant walk but little evidence remains.

A small stage station developed in 1865 around the cool springs used by travelers. When Lincoln County was formed, for some reason, this little camp was designated the county seat. However, soon after it was discovered that there weren't enough people required and the next year, Hiko gained the honor. Once stages stopped running, the area was abandoned in by 1870. Stone foundations mark the site.

One of the initial discovery areas in the Eagle Valley District. The town of DeerLodge was laid out in June of 1897. The Homestake and Horseshoe Mines was the main producing mines and each had a mill. Deerlodge got a post office March 22, 1898. Better prospects were discovered a mile southwest in 1899 and much of the town moved the new Camp at Fay. Tho Homestake Mine shut down in the fall of 1900, the post office was discontinued October 15, 1900 and mail routed to Stateline, Utah. The Horseshoe Mine closed in 1903 and Deerlodge was history. The townsite was occupied by the Hacket family who farmed and worked a small producing mine. A respectful visit to the Hacket family cemetery is a must. The Hacket Ranch, Horseshoie and Homestake mine offer the best ruins, but some exploring reveals more.

A very prominent early Nevada town but also one with one of the most tragic histories. Its other name was the "Widowmaker" because hundreds of miners died of silicosis from working the poisonous ore in the mines. Discovered in 1890, the rich ore led to a rush to the area. Beginning in 1895 until 1900, Delamar lead Nevada in production. By 1897, the town had a population of 3000. A fire virtually destroyed the town in 1900 but it was quickly rebuilt. The last of the great mines closed in 1909. Total production is over $13 million. Mill ruins, a cemetery and many rock buildings survive today.

A former non‑agency station on the Pioche branch of the Union Pacific, and a former area post office named Engadine (October 11, 1907 to April 15, 1914) are associated with the Delmues Ranch at the top of Condor Canyon. The Delmue family, have owned the ranch for over 135 years, still operate the ranch.

A 1870s mining camp located in Dry Valley. The 1870 Census list 133 people in the Dry Valley district but most would be in outlying ranches and farms.

A small ranching and farming community settled in the 1860s. A town of about 50 formed and still exists today. A number of pre-1900 buildings remain.

ECCLES

A former flag-stop station on the San Pedro, Los Angeles and Salt Lake, the siding remains on the Union Pacific Railroad, located in Clover Creek Canyon between Caliente and Minto

EIGHT MILE HOUSE

Stop on the old Lake Valley Road located at Eight Mile Well, 8 miles north of Pioche.

A community in Meadow Valley Wash settled in 1882. A siding and station on the San Pedro, Los Angeles and Salt Lake, it was washed out in 1910 and reconstructed at its present location. Elgin had a Post Office from March 3, 1913 to December 30, 1966. The restored school house is a must see.

A former station on the San Pedro, Los Angeles and Salt Lake, the remains of siding can be found on the Union Pacific Railroad. It was located in Meadow Valley wash four miles south of Caliente.

Little Eden was a failed agricultural development in the upper part of Coyote Springs Valley. They attempted, in 1912, to divert water from Maynard Lake to the flats. The water never made it but Maynard Lake was drained. That didn’t stop a later day effort to subdivide the land. It was plotted and semi-roads graded and some people were separated from the money buying unseen lots in Evergreen Flat. If your bored driving toward Alamo from Las Vegas, look to the left a few miles past Coyote Holes and see if you can see the lots in among the evergreens (AKA creosote bushes), then note the water line on the now drained Maynard Lake.

Discovery of gold in 1899 led to the formation of the town of Fay. Fay had a consistent population of 75 to 100 until 1915 when the mines closed. A few buildings and a mill struggle to stand amid other ruins.

FERGUSON (Golden, Golden City)

1882 mining camp at the Monkey Wrench Mine located up the canyon from Delamar (Reeves). Captain De Lamar invested heavily, the Ferguson District was renamed the Delamar District and the new community of Delamar a mile down the canyon soon dominated the landscape.

FINDLAY (Findlay Station)

The second booster pump station on the water pipeline from Stine in Meadow Valley Wash to Delamar.

Former extended ranching community located along side the Meadow Valley Wash in Dry Canyon. Little remains of Flat Nose although the old Flatnose Ranch is still thriving.

A former mill and related community below Pioche, was serviced by the Pioche Branch of the San Pedro, Los Angeles and Salt Lake RR..

Stop on the old Lake Valley Road located at Four Mile Well, 4 miles north of Pioche.

Silver was discovered in 1865. However, little was done and nothing developed. District was abandoned by 1867. Only real production, although limited, took place in the late teens. Nothing remains to mark the site except some small mine dumps.

A former non-agency station on the San Pedro, Los Angeles and Salt Lake, the siding remains on the Union Pacific Railroad, located in Meadow Valley wash ten miles south of Carp.

Old Stage Stop and ranch in Lake Valley. Geyser had a post office from February 20, 1889, to October 31, 1913. Ranch is still operational.

Short-lived mining camp which grew up subsequent to discoveries in State Line Canyon around August, 1914.

Silver was discovered in 1864 and worked occasionally until the early 1870s when, because of its isolation, the mine was abandoned. The site is unaccessible now and is on federal land. Of course, most know its name as the renowned site of Area 51.

HAMLIGHT

An station on the Pioche and Bullionville RR named for Ham Light, a well know mining man and early stage station operator around Pioche.

The first Mining camp in the Ferguson District, Helene was the camp at the Magnolia Mine. Helene had a post office from June 30, 1892 to December 22, 1894. Located a bit north of Delamar, stone ruins and a few foundations remain.

Discovery of silver in 1868 quickly led to the formation of a small camp. The mines consistently produced on a low level into the 1870s. Some people remained off and on until 1920. Stone ruins and foundations mark the site.

Silver was discovered in 1865 and camp of Hiko quickly formed. Within a year, the town had more than 300 residents. Most mining, however, had ceased by 1870 and the county seat was moved to Pioche. No other activity ever took place. Hiko is still an active community with original buildings, stone ruins, foundations and a small cemetery remain from the early days remaining.

A former flag-stop station on the San Pedro, Los Angeles and Salt Lake, the siding remains on the Union Pacific Railroad, located in Meadow Valley wash about 20 miles north of Moapa.

Former station and early brothel on US93 north of Caliente where the Meadow Valley was necks down. A pretty row of white cottages, nested against the canyon wall is all that remains..

A former station and railroad community on the San Pedro, Los Angeles and Salt Lake. Located in Clover Creek Canyon between Minto and Barclay, the siding remains.

Silver was discovered in 1876 and the town of Royal City sprang up. Later renamed Jackrabbit for the largest mine, the camp thrived for many years. A new railroad spur was built to a smelter in 1891 but the ore ran out and the mines closed in 1893. Only a couple short revivals took place afterward. Some limited mining continues to take place. Foundations and rubble mark the site.

KAOLIN (Kaolin Spur)

A former side track and associated buildings on the San Pedro, Los Angeles and Salt Lake located Boyd and Stine, built to serve the American Clay Company Kaolin Mine. Mine was active in the early 1920s, spur was abandoned by the time the railroad was acquired by the Union Pacific.

A early settlement in Kershaw Canyon off Meadow Valley a few miles south of Caliente. Settled in 1870 by Samuel Kershaw. The site is now a state park.

An early settlement in Meadow Valley. Established in the 1870's Kiernan had a post office from December 23, 1891 to May 14, 1904 and again from December 14, 1908 to January 15, 1912. Located with subsequent mail routed to Caliente. Located five miles south of Elgin near the mouth of Cottonwood Canyon.

A former flag stop station on the San Pedro, Los Angeles and Salt Lake, later a siding on the Union Pacific and located 4 miles south of Elgin. Abandoned in 1949.

A former non‑agency station on the San Pedro, Los Angeles and Salt Lake, now a siding on the Union Pacific and located 10 miles south of Elgin in the Meadow Valley Wash.

A former flag stop station and siding on the San Pedro, Los Angeles and Salt Lake was located in Lien Draw between Crestline and Uvada (Utah).

Rich silver was discovered in 1865. Population quickly grew from a hundred to more than 300 in 1866. But the mines faded and they and the town were abandoned by the early 1870s. Rock ruins remain.

LYONSVILLE (Lyonville)

A former settlement in Ursine Valley in Lincoln County.

MENDHA (Mendha Mine)

Small Community associated with mine on the west side of Arizona Peak. Don’t confuse this Mendha with the former siding along the now abandoned railroad to the Prince Mine.

A former flag-stop station on the San Pedro, Los Angeles and Salt Lake, now a siding on the Union Pacific and located in Clover Valley between Islen and Eccles. The station was originally named Dutch Flat.

A large boom that started in 1869 brought more than 400 residents within a month. While things started out promising, the rich ore gave out in 1872 and the district was abandoned by the next year. Stone ruins and foundations are left.

A former settlement on at the base of the White Rock Mountains, about five miles southwest of the Hermitage. Little evidence remains.

A former settlement below Panaca Summit near the exit of the road to Crestline. Scant evidence of habitation remains.

A small settlement near the junction of roads northwest of Hiko. The Water Gap and Coal Valley area was served by a post office at Oneota from July 19, 1909, to April 30, 1912. The Oneota Dam, just west of Oneota, was built during a particularly wet period in this part of Nevada. One blown down, building, a small root cellar, and the remains of the Oneota Dam remain.

Former stage and wagon stop just south of the White Pine County Line in Cave Valley. The rapidly collapsing two story station house still remains.

One of the most prominent mining camps in southeastern Nevada. Discovered in 1863 although little done until 1868 when the town of Pioche began to form. The county seat was moved to Pioche in 1871. While the mines were rich, Pioche was almost as much known for its lawlessness during its early days. During the early 1870s, the town had a population of about 7000. A huge fire in 1871 destroyed most of the town and left 2000 homeless. Production reached its peak in 1872. A small railroad was built in 1873 but while useful, the mines were slowing down and finally shut down in 1876. Revived after the turn of the century and another railroad spur was run from Caliente. Mining continued until the 1950s and the mines were a leading lead-zinc producer. Pioche is still the Lincoln County seat with a sizeable permanent population. Mines are still occasionally worked and many prominent buildings still remain including the "Million Dollar" courthouse. The town also boasts a very nice museum. Mining artifacts abound throughout the area. A truly fascinating place to visit and explore.

A stage station located in Meadow Valley Wash in the 1890s. The station is referred to as Angle City in 1903. Pockets predates the railroad but it was located between the present Galt and Vigo sidings on the Union Pacific.

The first booster station on Delamar pipeline located about five miles up Rock Springs Canyon from Stine.

An early settlement (1870 - 1900) in the lower portion of portion of Ursine Valley.

An original station on San Pedro, Los Angeles and Salt Lake, now a siding on the Union Pacific. The community was first developed in 1902 and had a post office from May 20, 1921 to August 15, 1949. The Union Pacific phased out steam power in 1949 and the station was abandoned.

While silver was discovered in 1906, nothing came of it until new discoveries were made in 1920 and a small rush developed. However, the ore was shallow and the camp of 50 disappeared by the end of 1921. Nothing remains.

Another Mt Irish mining camp, this short-lived camp was located some 4 miles north of Logan City.

Settlement associated with Silver King Mining District located at the Silver King Well at the south end of Cave Valley. Some stone ruins remain. The best remaining cabins can be found at Griswold Well, two miles south of Silver King, while the Silver King Mine area also has a few standing structures and some foundation ruins.

Ranching and farming community established in the 1870s to supply the booming town of Pioche. Had a consistent population of 50 through the turn of the century. However, as the years past, people slowly left and only one ranch remains active. Numerous old buildings are located throughout the valley.

A mining camp active as early as 1869. Charles Gracey, built a small furnace for smelting ore. Evidence of mining abounds but it is hard to determine exactly the limits of the camp.

The post office for Kershaw was located in Meadow Valley near the mouth of Rock Springs Canyon. It operated from October 29, 1892 to December 31, 1904. This was the site of the first pump station on the pipeline from Meadow Valley to Delamar. A railroad station and side track was located there when the San Pedro, Los Angeles and Salt Lake line first entered the canyon. Coal to fire the power plant for the pipeline was unloaded there. The station was first named Cana but the post office was renamed Stine on December 31, 1904. The station name was soon changed to Stine, that name was applied to the pump station as well. The name honors Marcus Stine, one of the major property owners in Delamar. Delamar soon declined and the Stine post office was closed October 30, 1909. The Stine Station was abandoned in 1949. Don’t confuse this site with the first Cana that was located on the original grade up the canyon from Stine.

A station and stop on the Pioche-Ely Road at a junction with a road from Bristol, via Jackrabbit toward Ursine. Located down the hill, southeast of Jackrabbit. Little remains.

An early settlement southwest of modern day Rachel shown on some turn of the century maps. It well may be on the wrong side of the Air Force Fence.

Silver discovered in 1865 but development of the camp was slow until new discoveries in 1868. By 1870, Tempiute had a population of 50 but further growth was limited by the scarcity of water. After 1877, the district was basically abandoned. In the 1930s, the camp revived and became a major producer of Tungsten. During the 1950s, the town had a population of 700. Tungsten values plummetted in 1957 and the mines closed down. The town was quickly dismantled and only foundations remain.

Early Stage stop located at Twenty One Mile Well, 21 miles north of Pioche on the Pioche-Ely Road. Little evidence remains.

A short-lived mining camp associated with the Viola Mining District located in the Mormon Range. Some silver, copper, lead and gold was shipped from the district. Little remains except the remnants of the Cherokee Mine. Located 4 miles east of Lieth.

Special community located at the old World War II Groom Range training facility in southwest Lincoln County. Despite strong Air Force denials to its existence, this community may not be a ghost yet!

A short-lived mining short-lived mining camp associated with the Viola Mining District, Located 6 miles east of Viola.

A small settlement found in the Federal Census of 1900. Wilson’s Creek is located on the north slope of Mt Wilson and drains and connects by road with old Silver Park (Atlanta had not been discovered yet!). There is some mining debris remaining and foundations, little else remains.