LandRoverLasVegas
Observer
I decided to take our D-130 North from Vegas to see what interesting things I could find within a full day round-trip. I wasn't disappointed! I started out at 5:00 am last Tuesday from the Southwest corner of Las Vegas with my dog Colby (the store mascot!) I always like to mix off-roading with mine and ghost own hunting so I was interested in seeing a couple that I had heard of, and hopefully finding some that I had not. I got lucky.
After about an hour of virtually wide open desert, noticed that to my right (east) that there were dirt roads that went into the mountain range and I came upon them every few miles. Curiosity got the better of me so I turn right and went up one of the roads. Bad idea. It turns out that the U.S. Government frowns upon one going into the Nevada Test Site and I was greeted by a US Marine encouraging (forcing me, actually) to turn around. I obliged and decided not to even think of roaming east.
Another hour north on the 95, I arrived in Beatty (36 54'34"N 116 45'16"W) a.k.a "the Gateway to Death Valley" which is a small lively town that in the early 1900's was a railway center in the mining district. After refueling the thrifty Td5, I was headed for Rhyolite (36 54'14"N, 116 49'45"W), which is only 6 miles west.
This is one of my favorite ghost towns. Because many of the structures were built of concrete, there are still plenty of ruins left to see. Charles Schawb (the brokerage founder) actually built all of the surrounding infrastructure. The bank, jewelry store (with safe), town jail and train depot are clearly still somewhat there (see pictures).
Thirty minutes later I was back on the 95 north to visit Goldfield. This is a "living" ghost/mining town, as it is the county seat with a beautiful, fully functioning courthouse. At one time it had a population of over 30,00 folks, but of course with the bust, etc it houses about 250.
I struck up a conversation with one of the locals that worked at the courthouse (the state and county employ 90% of the people). I asked her if there were any other mines or ghost towns in the area to see. She gave me a wide smile and gave me a resounding "yes!" She suggested I head to Gold Point. "Gold POINT?" I asked. "Yep"' she replied, "There are seven of us still living there!" She sad its about 17 miles on a couple of back roads. As I entered the town (can't miss it) turn left at the three firetrucks and knock on the door of the first house and tell the guy that answers the door that Sandy sent ya!" OK, so I went back down the 95 south 15 miles to the NV-266 west into town. (37 21'17"N, 117 21'54"W)
Sure enough, there were three firetrucks from the 50's 60's and 70's (and about three more scattered around) and a town of about 50 or so structures that made me feel like I was back in 1899. What a sight! From the gallows to the saloon to the miners' shacks, and a giant gold mine in the background, this is a true ghost town. I spend I will have more about the tour of this town. I was guided by the mayor, sheriff and fire chief, Mr. Stone. He gave me a history and tour of virtually everything, like showing me a house in town that a state senator lived in and man, many other great parts. I will do a separate story on this but for now, please enjoy the pictures of my trip back in time!
After about an hour of virtually wide open desert, noticed that to my right (east) that there were dirt roads that went into the mountain range and I came upon them every few miles. Curiosity got the better of me so I turn right and went up one of the roads. Bad idea. It turns out that the U.S. Government frowns upon one going into the Nevada Test Site and I was greeted by a US Marine encouraging (forcing me, actually) to turn around. I obliged and decided not to even think of roaming east.
Another hour north on the 95, I arrived in Beatty (36 54'34"N 116 45'16"W) a.k.a "the Gateway to Death Valley" which is a small lively town that in the early 1900's was a railway center in the mining district. After refueling the thrifty Td5, I was headed for Rhyolite (36 54'14"N, 116 49'45"W), which is only 6 miles west.
This is one of my favorite ghost towns. Because many of the structures were built of concrete, there are still plenty of ruins left to see. Charles Schawb (the brokerage founder) actually built all of the surrounding infrastructure. The bank, jewelry store (with safe), town jail and train depot are clearly still somewhat there (see pictures).
Thirty minutes later I was back on the 95 north to visit Goldfield. This is a "living" ghost/mining town, as it is the county seat with a beautiful, fully functioning courthouse. At one time it had a population of over 30,00 folks, but of course with the bust, etc it houses about 250.
I struck up a conversation with one of the locals that worked at the courthouse (the state and county employ 90% of the people). I asked her if there were any other mines or ghost towns in the area to see. She gave me a wide smile and gave me a resounding "yes!" She suggested I head to Gold Point. "Gold POINT?" I asked. "Yep"' she replied, "There are seven of us still living there!" She sad its about 17 miles on a couple of back roads. As I entered the town (can't miss it) turn left at the three firetrucks and knock on the door of the first house and tell the guy that answers the door that Sandy sent ya!" OK, so I went back down the 95 south 15 miles to the NV-266 west into town. (37 21'17"N, 117 21'54"W)
Sure enough, there were three firetrucks from the 50's 60's and 70's (and about three more scattered around) and a town of about 50 or so structures that made me feel like I was back in 1899. What a sight! From the gallows to the saloon to the miners' shacks, and a giant gold mine in the background, this is a true ghost town. I spend I will have more about the tour of this town. I was guided by the mayor, sheriff and fire chief, Mr. Stone. He gave me a history and tour of virtually everything, like showing me a house in town that a state senator lived in and man, many other great parts. I will do a separate story on this but for now, please enjoy the pictures of my trip back in time!
