Nevada still has her secrets, even from long-time ghost towners. Nevada Expeditions and I explored this amazing 1800s stone ruin with a spectacular fireplace in May. Undocumented on any ghost town website or book we have come across, the cabin’s history remains a mystery.
“Sierra District Stone Cabin” was an incredible find. Nevada Expeditions didn’t learn of it on a ghost town website or book but another exploring format.
What road?
The day was dreary; the impending storm teased us with dark skies and raindrops. We already missed out on one ghost town due to washed-out roads that looked more like a creekbed. As much as I wanted to visit the site, I didn’t want to risk driving through a washout with the potential of flash-flooding. Neither did I want to get stuck and spend a cold night in the Jeep eating MREs.
Roads? Where we’re going, we don’t need roads.
Dr. Emmett Brown
Back to the Future, 1985
The road to Sierra District Stone Cabin was interesting. “Road” might not be the correct term; it was more of a general guideline. Several times, meaning more often than not, we caught glimpses of the roadbed. It would then disappear under the cheatgrass. In some places, I spotted the road at a distance and hoped there would be something in between joining the two sections of road.
End of the road
As we climbed from the grass, we reached the end of the road. Time to hike. Austin swore it wasn’t too long of a hike; I had flashbacks to the infamous quarter-mile hike with my friend Bo to Mountain View. (Spoiler, he was off by several miles.)
The hike wasn’t bad; it followed an old road.
The bad part was the Mormon Crickets. They make a sickening crunch when you step on them, and you can’t help but step on some. They are cannibalistic, so ten more appear for every one you kill.
Stone Cabin
I expected to see the structure at a distance, but the trees obscured our view. Starting to doubt ourselves, we came around a corner and found one of the most magnificent stone structures I have come across in a ghost town. This was not the usual dugout with a stone foundation; it was a mostly intact building with four walls and a fireplace. The quality of the construction was amazing, and the size was impressive.
(Photo credit: Nevada Expeditions)
Fireplace
After entering the front door, visitors would be met by an impressive and beautiful arched fireplace, a work of art.
Something decided the fireplace would make a good home.
How many doors did they need?
Stone Cabin appeared to have had two doors and a large window. The window and the second door on the side of the cabin were filled in, leaving only the front door opposite the fireplace.
A mystery
Stone Cabin does not appear on maps, atlases, ghost towns, or mining books.
I searched for information on Sierra District Stone Cabin in every online and print reference I have. Nothing. I even called in “The Big Guns,” Stan Paher and Shawn Hall, and found nothing.
Sierra Mining District
Stone Cabin is in the Sierra Mining District, established in 1863. By 1870, the district had three stamp mills. During the time, the Sierra District was one of the most productive districts in Nevada. An estimated $4 Million was extracted in gold and silver. Many of the miners in the district were from China.
Dun Glen was the primary business and supply center for the region. The town had stores, hotels, saloons, a post office, a school, a meeting hall… and outhouses that were “very airy.” Good to know.
Other towns, including Barbersville, Gem City, Straub, and Rockhill, were established around Stone Cabin in the 1860s. However, none grew beyond a small settlement, and most lasted only a few years.
The only other clue I found was on Google Earth. Above Stone Cabin, I found tailings. The mine was prospective, and I have not found a claim filed.
For now, Sierra Mining District Stone Cabin’s history will remain a mystery. I hope to return and explore the area more extensively and discover new pieces of the puzzle.
Want more ghost towns?
For information on more than five hundred ghost towns in Nevada & California, visit the Nevada Ghost Towns Map or a list of Nevada ghost towns.
References
- Basso, Dave. Ghosts of Humboldt Region: A glimpse into Pershing County’s past. Western Printing and Publishing, 1970. Inset map, Pages 6, 30, 103, 130.
- American History and Geneology Project: Chafey Camp, Nevada
- Angel, Myron. History of Nevada. Thompson and West, 1881. Page 57.
- Carlson, Helen S. Nevada Place Names: A Geographical Dictionary. University of Nevada Press, 1974. Page 102.
- The Diggins: Dun Glen Gold Mine
- Find a Grave: Dun Glen Cemetery
- Gamett, James and Stan Paher. Nevada Post Offices: An Illustrated History. Nevada Publications, 1983 Page 50, 58.
- Minedat: Rock Hill Canyon Placers
- Nevada Bureau of Mines and Geology: Scanned Mining District Files
- Nevada Ghost Towns and Mining History: Dun Glen
- Nevada State Journal: Mines around Dun Glen are shipping ore. July 9, 1934.
- OHV Nevada: The Dirt: Dun Glen
- Paher, Stanley. Nevada Ghost Towns and Mining Camps. Nevada Publications, 1970.
- Paher, Stanley. Nevada Ghost Towns and Desert Atlas. Nevada Publications, 2009. Page 35.
- Reno Gazette-Journal: Thacker and Richardson tell of early Indians. January 5, 1909.
- Reno Gazette-Journal: Suit over three richest claims in Chafey. January 6, 1909.
- Roberts, Robert B. Encyclopedia of Historic Forts: The Military, Pioneer, and Trading Posts of the United States. Macmillan Publishing, 1988. Page 491.
- Shamberger, Hugh A. Rochester: Early History, Development, Water Supply. USGS, 1973. Page 2.
- Tonopah Daily Bonanza: Big suit is on over rich Chafey Claims. January 8, 1909.
- USGS: Dun Glen
- USGS: Dun Glen Mine Project
- Weekly Independent: Silver State 16th
- Wikipedia: Dun Glen, Nevada
Cathy says
They must have made the mortar on-site? Thanks for sharing the pics (and not sharing the location!)
Tami says
I think often it was made with mud. They could have brought in lime. Outside of Dayton, lime was made from travertine baked in a kiln.
Therese says
Wow an undiscovered piece of Nevada. I think the Chinese had it and didn’t register it.
Tami says
There are still a lot of treasures to find!
The Chinese worked in the area, so that is a possibility. It doesn’t seem like the same technique as other Chinese structures I have seen in Nevada.
Dave Van Scoyoc says
Thanks. Good story
Tami says
Welcome! It was fun to find and research.
Bill says
Fascinating!
Tami says
Agreed!
Desert dan says
8-10 0
Tami says
I am not sure what this means.
Anonymous says
Do you remember a 12 ft x 20 ft stone wall , 3 ft high, and a steam boiler just outside one wall? It was about 20 years ago, I think it was ROCK HILL canyon????????????. But I did not have map info back then. A recent wildfire had flattened the sage brush. Some tiny bits of Chinese pottery were exposed.
Tami says
I did visit Rock Hill which had several rock foundations. I don’t remember any boiler in the area.
It was worked mainly by the Chinese, so the pottery makes sense.
Steve Knight says
I was along on the infamous 1/4 mile hike also with you and Bo. Killed my knees. Haha
Jan and Tom says
Great pictures! Thanks for sharing.
Tami says
Thank you, and you are welcome.
Toni says
Very nice stories and pictures, been following site now for some time!
Tami says
Thank you, I am so happy you have enjoyed my articles and travels. I have loved doing it.
Scott Lyman says
That was a great article!
Tami says
Thank you!
terry says
if you find out more on the stone building we”ll need an update. good article.
Tami says
I will! History is like a big puzzle; you never know where you will find a piece.
Steve Lane says
Very nice and interesting article! My Grandpa and was a miner in the black rock desert and had 52 claims. He had several working mines and also worked in Daveytown. My Grandma was the cook at Daveytown. I am moving to Nevada and will be visiting as many forgotten places like this in your article that I can find. Thank you again for your very cool articles
Tami says
Very cool history! I had a great uncle who mined out of Placerville. The story goes after he committed suicide, some town higher-ups jumped his claim.
If you have any information on Davetown, I would love to hear it. I’m finishing the travel update from that trip, and Daveytown was one of our stops. I think we visited around 30 ghost towns and historical sites around Winnemucca. Hopefully, I can get it finished this weekend.