LCAT Conference: Caliente
Thank you, Lincoln County Authority of Tourism, for a wonderful Travel Expo!
They had a great lineup of speakers. I spoke about how people are exploring Nevada more, including ghost towns, the challenges, and the need for stewardship. Of course, I included my favorite part, the history of locations, including Logan City and Huntsman Cabin.
Mathew from the Nevada Offroad Association presented on the economic impact of off-roading in Nevada, especially in rural counties. The amount is staggering, in the billions! I swear we didn’t plan it, but our presentations went hand in hand.
I didn’t know until the night before the conference that Rayette, the executive director of Nevadans for Cultural Preservation, would attend. I used the project she, Mathew, and I did at Pine Grove as an example of successful stewardship. It is like we planned it or something. 
I met so many wonderful people. I really love Lincoln County; everyone is so welcoming and friendly. It reminds me of what the Carson Valley was like 20 years ago. If you haven’t visited, there is so much to do! Tons of ghost towns, amazing state parks, wonderful geology, and dark skies for night photography.
Some lucky people got the first books ever signed by Austin, who did the map illustrations, and by me.
Thank you, LCAT and Dawn for the conference photos! Guess I need to go back so I can dress up for a better “wanted poster!”
Kershaw-Ryan State Park
I didn’t have much time after the expo, but I made a quick run to the park. Yup, I went out just to photograph the CCC bathroom . My Grandfather was in the CCC, so I never pass up the chance to visit a CCC site.
Samuel and Hannah Kershaw started the ranch in 1873. They created a beautiful garden where the pool is now. James and Patrick Ryan purchased the land in 1904. The family donated it in 1934, creating one of Nevada’s first four state parks. The CCC added facilities that same year, and the park opened in 1935.
The Caliente American Legion Auxiliary created a monument, built from stones collected from around Lincoln County. The cornerstone is from the ghost town of Delamar.
Kernshaw-Ryan State Park sits in a stunning canyon. Even in the winter, it is gorgeous. The springs support a diverse range of plant life, including grapevines, fruit trees, and wildlife.
If you are traveling with kids, this is a great park to visit. They have a great picnic area, seasonal wading pool, volleyball court, horseshoes, and hiking trails. There is a nice little campground at the park entrance.
Box Car Museum
Make sure to put this little museum on your must-see list. It is adjacent to the Caliete Depot. Caliente is the halfway point on the Union Pacific Railroad between Los Angeles and Salt Lake City.
The museum has a great display of rail and local history. The kids, and adults too, will love ringing the bell!
Dutch John Well
Not much info on this site but it was located on the road from Pioche to Hamilton.
On the way home from the Lincoln County Tourism Expo in Caliente and I got to visit a few sites.
Patterson & a scare
Patterson was a short-lived mining town off Highway 93. It had a post office from 1887 to 1890. This site will take some digging to uncover information.
With the metal buildings, it was obviously used later. It was active enough that they needed a 3-hole outhouse!
I had a scare at Patterson. The backstory: I’m convinced that sometime in my explorations, I’ll run into a dead body. Or multiple bodies from a serial killer dumping ground. I might watch too much true crime TV. Seriously, part of my education was classes on serial killers. I also worked with sex offenders and even in a jail for a while, so I have seen plenty to fuel my imagination.
Walking around Patterson, I noticed a sleeping bag topped with bones. Thank heaven the bones were clearly not human, but it gave me a start!
Cave Valley
A post office operated at Cave Valley from 1926 until 1933. The old builidings are on a private ranch, but I grabbed some photos from the road.
Cave Valley Cave
I won’t go into mines, but caves are a bit of a different story. When we heard there was a a cave, we were thinking of a small area carved into the mountain. This is not what we were expecting!
The cave has passages over 1000 feet. It contains small stalactites an stalagmites. It was one room after another.
The caves have been explored for over a century, with many leaving their signatures. One visitor was there almost 100 years to the day before us. Silly me went in with only my cell phone flashlite. Once we saw the size of the cave system, I should have gone back for a flashlight.
Some say in Nevada Cave Valley cave is second only to Lehman Caves.
Parker Station
Dang it, so close, yet so far. The old station is on private property.
Parker Station was built by George Parker in the early 1890s. Travelers, stages, and freight teams stopped at the station which was between Pioche and what was later Tonopah.
Ward
Did you know about this hidden treasure at Ward in White Pine County?
I have been to the ghost town several times, but didn’t know about the intact cabin. It was a little hairy getting there with the snow but the destination made it worth it!
Ward started in 1873 and by 1877 had a population of 1,500, making it one of the largest towns in White Pine County. The town didn’t last long as ore ran out and fire destroyed many of the structures.
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