Little is known about the beginning of McKinney Tanks, other than it may have been a stage and water stop. However, historic newspapers provide a wealth of information about the lives of residents in the early 1900s. Humor abounds and includes sled dogs who believe “mush” is something to eat and a turkey whose jailbreak freed him on Christmas Eve.
Ghost Towning
Driving between Tonopah and Tybo, my travel companion noticed a cottonwood tree and campsite off the road, then spotted the stone ruins and turned around. I have driven this section of the road several times but never noticed the ruins, mostly hidden by a small hill and the green tree.
As we were in my friend’s Jeep, I didn’t have my usual supplies, including my reference books. Silly me, leaving without them. Thankfully I had limited cell service and got a message out to my friend Allen who quickly identified the site.
I was writing my travel update for the trip; I thought the section on McKinney Tanks would be a sentence or two at most, as little information is available in print or online. Stan Paher’s Nevada Ghost Towns and Mining Camps have it marked on the atlas, but it wasn’t large enough for an article in the book. Neither did my go-to Nye County reference, Shawn Hall’s Preserving the Glory Days: Ghost Towns and Mining Camps of Nye County, Nevada. The only reference I came across online is from my good friend Austin at Nevada Expeditions, who said the site was likely a stage stop and watering hole.
I don’t know what possessed me to look farther; I didn’t look for any other sites I visited on that trip. Instead, I searched old newspapers, thinking I was likely wasting my time. When I plugged in the search term, I expected a response of “no articles were found.” Instead, I found a hundred articles dating to the early 1900s.
I never found information on the beginnings of McKinney Tanks. Most newspaper articles reference road construction or how dangerous this section of road is. I kept scrolling through articles because I’m a completionist and can’t stop a search mid-way. Buried, I discovered a handful of articles with a few gems.
I will not work on any new ghost town articles for the next two weeks, until vacation is over.
My goals, written 3 days before I started the article
I had promised myself earlier in the week that I wouldn’t start any new articles until early August, when I returned from vacation. So I started writing a brief history in the travel update. Then I came across the headline “Turkey dinner hops from car and vanishes,” and knew I had to write the history on McKinney Tanks.
McKinney Tanks, a stage stop and watering hole?
The few people who know about McKinney Tanks agree it was likely a stage and water stop for travelers. Stage stations are approximately five miles apart. They provided food, restroom facilities, and often a place to stay the night. McKinney Tanks was an excellent location for travelers between Tonopah, Hot Creek, and the Reveille areas. Many of the areas, like Mountian View, were mined in the 1870s, so it is possible the station dates to this period. Other stations like Pritchard’s Station dot the Hot Creek Range.
News articles paint a picture of life in McKinney Tanks in the early 1900s.
New Beginnings
In 1908, newlyweds Seraphine Lani and Fannie Marmoligo planned to establish their first home as a married couple in McKinney Tanks.
Lifeline comes to McKinney Tanks
In 1909, the telephone line reached McKinney Tanks. In December of that year, the service may have saved the life of a man named Leech, who was injured in a wagon accident.
Leech traveled to Tonopah to secure supplies for his mine in Silver Glance. After dropping his gloves, he reached down to retrieve them. Unfortunately, the wagon hit a rut, throwing Leech from the backboard, which ran over his chest. After being unconscious for four hours, Leech awoke to find himself frozen to the ground. After freeing himself and with frozen feet, Leech somehow managed to walk ten miles to the mine. His partner, Harry Cahill, traveled to McKinney Tanks to call the hospital in Tonopah.
(Photo credit: Tonopah Nevada)
With instructions from the physician, Cahill made a record-breaking trip to Tonopah, delivering Leech to the Miner’s Hospital, where Drs Hammond and Berry were waiting to provide medical treatment.
Blessed Arrival in McKinney Tanks
The stork arrived with a healthy baby girl for McKinney Tanks ranchers Mr. and Mrs. Albert Morris in 1920.
The Cain Family
Mr. and Mrs. Milo Cain lived in McKinney Tanks in 1918 and were in the “cattle business.” The couple would occasionally visit Tonopah for a few days at a time. The Caines sold the ranch due to health reasons to the Potts brothers in 1927.
Hermit of McKinney Tanks
I would have loved to meet Jack Clark, the “Hermit of McKinney Tanks.” For a hermit, Jack got around and had some exciting events in his life. Jack was a miner and discovered high-grade opals not far from McKinney Tanks.
Mush Means Eat
A winter storm in February of 1932 was harsher than Jack expected. He had already been stranded for half of the winter, cut off from people and supplies. Cabin fever infected Jack, and his partner devised a plan for Jack to reach Warm Springs and Five-Mile Station using Jack’s “lazy dogs.”
You have been feeding them mush all winter-now let them mush you over to Warm Springs.
Nevada State Journal, February 24, 1932
(Photo credit: Intervale Chinooks)
Jack improvised a sled and harness, hitched up his four canine companions, and headed to civilization. The newly minted sled dogs were less than enthusiastic about their new duties. Jack cracked his whip and called out…
Mush along there, mush, mush, mush, you lazy whelps!
Nevada State Journal, February 24, 1932
The impromptu team of sled dogs believed Jack was calling them to eat mush for dinner. Moving quickly for the first time, the dogs turned the sled around and headed home for dinner, dumping Jack into a snow bank.
A General’s Fortune
Jack had been a soldier in the US Army. While stationed in Manila, he married the daughter of General E. L. Pelar.
After a stormy period as oldier (sic) and civilian, Clark came to Nevada.
Mason Valley News, September 22, 1933
The General died in 1921. Jack believed he was the rightful beneficiary of one-quarter of the $3,000,000 estate, about $50 million in 2022 value. Jack planned to travel 9,000 miles to Manilla and claim his inheritance. As there was no more mention of his journey or obtaining a fortune, I am making an educated guess that the General’s family disagreed with his claims.
Vanishing Christmas Turkey
After looking at a hundred articles, I was relieved to see I had reached the end. I clicked on the final article, expecting more road construction. The mouse was already hovering on the back button when I saw the title: “Turkey Dinner Hope from Car and Vanishes.” I started laughing and decided to ignore my goal not to begin another article.
In 1936, Jack decided to prepare a Christmas dinner for the residents of McKinney Tanks. He pre-ordered a turkey, and, on Christmas Eve, he headed to Tonopah to accept delivery of the succulent turkey. Jack drove to town and picked up the twenty-five-pound turkey, who was very much still alive.
He had it’s wings spread like an airplane
The turkey was secured, or so Jack believed. Then, outside Ralston Flat, Tom Turkey freed himself from the binds and jumped out of the moving vehicle. Jack believed Tom was headed back to Fallon to its “Incubator Mammy.” Jack watched until the turkey was no more than a pea in the distance when “he just faded away entirely.”
(Photo credit: Picryl)
Instead of a succulent turkey for Christmas, Jack and his guests feasted on his usual fare of beans.
McKinney Tanks Ruins
The stone foundation is the largest ruin at McKinney Tanks, likely the stage stop.
Dugout foundations with stone walls dot the hillside.
A concrete walkway leads to a rock foundation.
Due to time, I missed the water trough—photo credit to Nevada Expeditions. I was going to drive back out when I left Tonopah, but I decided driving forty miles for one picture might be the best use of my day.
Following McKinney Tanks, we headed to one of my favorite areas: Tybo and the Hot Creek Range.
Want more ghost towns?
For information on more than three hundred ghost towns in Nevada, visit the Nevada Ghost Towns Map or a list of Nevada ghost towns.
References
- Hall, Shawn: Preserving the Glory Days: Ghost Towns and Mining Camps of Nye, County, Nevada. University of Nevada Press, 1981.
- Mason Valley News: Tonopah, Nevada. September 22, 1933.
- Nevada Expeditions: McKinney Tanks
- Nevada State Journal: Team of dogs thinks “Mush” means something to eat. February 24, 1932.
- Paher, Stanley. Nevada Ghost Towns and Mining Camps. Nevada Publications, 1970.
- Paher, Stanley. Nevada Ghost Towns and Desert Atlas. Nevada Publications, 2009. Page 163.
- Reno Gazette-Journal. Former Resident of Nevada Dead. March 6, 1934.
- Reno Gazette-Journal. Monitor Valley Ranch is Sold. March 19, 1927.
- Reno-Gazette Journal. Tonopah Briefs. July 19, 1920.
- Reno Gazette-Journal. Turkey Dinner Hops from Car and Vanishes. January 4, 1934.
- Reno Gazette-Journal. Secretary at Elks at Tonopah goes to Army Camp. September 12, 1918.
- Tonopah Daily Bonanza. Cupid Still Busy. October 7, 1908.
- Tonopah Bonanza. Unconcious on the desert for four hours. December 18, 1909.
Al Hom says
Hi Tami,
Just thought I’d share a chuckle. I got all excited when the email subject line read “McKinney Tanks Ghost Town”. I got all excited and thought OMG… she found more tanks!. Unlike the Dixie Valley info you shared with me it’s not THOSE kind of tanks. I still read and enjoy the pictures from your journeys. Thank you very much for sharing.
Al in Dayton
Tami says
That would have been a fun find!
David Sadewasser says
I’m always impressed by your excellent research on these Nevada historical sites. And if I was 20 years younger and with better knees, I’d be inspired to check out the spots myself. About Tybo, I passed through there maybe 25 years ago. It was and presumably still is a fascinating collection of abandoned and occupied? dwellings. So my question is, does anybody still call Tybo home? I’m constantly amazed when I learn that people still occupy these places, even if just seasonally. Talk about “off the grid”!
Keep up your fantastic work.
Tami says
Thank you, I’m so glad you have enjoyed the site. This was one of my favorites to research, I wish I always found such treasures.
Tybo is still amazing. There were 2 full time residents and that is down to one part time. My good friend Bo, still lives at Tybo and is called the “Mayor of Tybo.”
Arnie says
Hi Tami, thanks for the McKinney Tanks Story.My Wife visits her brother in Las Vegas every year. I may go with her someday to visit The Ghost Towns near Las Vegas. I have been to the Valley of Fire, and Hiked at the Red Rock canyon a few years back, and Really enjoyed the scenery. Please keep up the Great Work.
Tami says
Thanks you, I’m glad you enjoyed the article. I’m working on a list of places to see along Highway 95 between Reno and Las Vegas.
Dennis says
Hi Tami, so I have been following your trips for about a year now and save them all! Some are places I’ve been to and they bring back good times. Back in 2018 a group of us did a 2 week trip in the Nevada deserts in search of old ghost towns. We were headed up toward Tybo to look for a camping spot for 4 rigs. We saw a vehicle heading toward us and guess who “Bo” he came down to tell us there was not enough room for our rigs and suggested Keystone mining area would be plenty of room and during our stay to come visit him one day. The next day we headed out up Keystone cyn. A beautiful cyn with lots of Stonys (rock foundations). Came across three rock Bee Hives for making charcoal and came in the back way to Tybo and met up with Bo and he graciously gave us a tour of hes place which was a boarding house, a red brick general store and a red brick school house. Good to know Bo is still the Mayor!
Tami says
I’m so glad you have enjoyed my travels. The Hot Creek range is amazing. I think there are 6 sets of kilns.
Bo is still doing great and is still a good friend. He is bringing my son from Mesquite to Tonopah today so we don’t have to do the long drive again plus an overnight.
Dennis says
Sounds like you’re going to have a great Christmas! I hope our paths cross some day! Look forward to your travels…..Deserts Past (Dennis)
Tami says
That would be nice. I’m starting to plan trips for next year.