Historical gems dot Nevada’s backroads, and an astute observer can spot history during their journey. Between Palmetto, Sylvania and Pigeon Springs on the way to Goldfield, we came across two such finds: Stewart’s Mill and Medicine Rock.
Lida Mining District
In the early 1860s, Native Americans and prospectors from Mexico discovered gold thirty miles southwest of Goldfield in a small valley near the Palmetto Mountains. Unfortunately, they could not process the find and soon abandoned the area.
In 1867 American miners began to explore the area, and Scott and Black discovered the Lida Mining District in 1871. That year, 2.5 tons of ore were shipped to mills in Columbus, extracting $622 in silver and gold, approximately $14,000 in 2021 value. The town of Lida was plated in 1872 and grew to contain multiple businesses, including stores, eating establishments and a livery. Lida was awarded a post office on April 25, 1873.
Stewart’s Mill
Nearby, Thomas Shaw discovered the Oriental Mine in 1864; rich ore deposits were not located until 1871. Ore from the mine was worked by an arrastra at Shaw’s Springs. R. H. Stewart was the mine foreman in 1881 and later purchased the Oriental Mine.
Stewart constructed a 5-stamp mill three miles south of Lida to increase ore processing in the mid-1880s. Water was provided by a gravity-fed system from Stewart’s Springs on Mt. Magruder. Stewart’s Mill processed ore in 1886 from Slate Hills and a Death Valley mine owned by Kesler and Tracey. Steward leased the Lida Bella Mine, processing ore at his facility.
It is unknown when Stewart’s Mill stamps descended for their final time, and the mill remained quiet. As was typical, the mill was likely disassembled and relocated. Lida declined in the late 1800s but revived in the early 1900s. Stewart’s Mill likely never saw the turn of the century.
(Photo credit: University Texas Libraries)
Medicine Rock
“Medicine Rock” sits alongside the road not far from Stewart’s Mill. It is a large volcanic boulder sitting alone in the grass. There were no petroglyphs or other markings on the rock. There is no information other than the name but local Paiutes likely used the rock for healing and spiritual purposes.
Stewart’s Mill and Medicine Rock was the first day of my week-long ghost town trip in June of 2021. I was privileged that my guide for the day was Stan Paher, author of Nevada Ghost Towns and Mining Camps. We started our day at the Red Rock mine, and continued to the Fish Lake Valley Heritage Center and Museum, Dyer, Palmetto, Sylvania, and Pigeon Springs, ending our trip at Gold Point.
Visited 6-5-2021
References
- Gamett, James and Stan Paher. Nevada Post Offices: An Illustrated History. Nevada Publications, 1863. Page 88.
- Lincoln, Francis Church. Mining Districts and Mineral Resources of Nevada. Stanley Paher, 1982. Pages 76, 79, 83-84.
- Paher, Stanley. Nevada Ghost Towns and Mining Camps. Nevada Publications, 1970. Page 410-413
- Paher, Stanley. Nevada Ghost Towns and Desert Atlas. Nevada Publications, 2009. Pages 156-157.
- Patera, Alan H. Gold Mountain, Nevada. Western Places 2017. Pages 2, 11, 22, 36.
- Patera, Alan H. Lida and Lida Valley, Nevada. Western Places, 2014. Page 12.
- Western Mining History: Slate Range Mine
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