Hi, I’m Tami and I have been exploring ghost towns, mining camps and back roads for 30 years. If you love seeing and learning about some of the more unusual ghost towns and locations in Nevada and beyond you came to the right place!
For years I visited, photographed and researched ghost towns and back roads as a hobby. Now I want to share the enjoyment of ghost towns with you while preserving information for future generations.
Growing up in Idaho, we often drove through Northern Nevada to visit family in the Gold Country. If I wasn’t out exploring you would find me curled up on Aunt Erma’s recliner reading Time-Life Old West or the Wagons West Series. My favorites were about people, challenges they faced and how they created a life out of nothing.
I didn’t connect it until later, but this interest continued through my life. I earned a Bachelors degree in psychology with a minor in sociology followed by a Master’s degree in Social Work. I became a Licensed Clinical Social Worker and taught about people, families and society at the local college. Who would have thought social work and ghost towns would be connected!
As my children grew older I had more time to pursue photography. I began taking classes and started hanging out with the “Rough Crowd” of photographers—wildlife. As much as I love photographing bald eagles and our ranches owls, my real love is history. The blog has grown and been published by Nevada Magazine and Oregon California Trails Association. I can now say I’m a professional ghost towner, how cool is that?
I was raised in Idaho and moved to Nevada in 2000 when I married a native Nevada boy. We live on the family ranch along with our 4th generation Nevada kids, giant breed dog, cats, goats, chickens and whatever other animals we decide to add to our family. If I’m not out exploring and photographing I am researching my next trip, preserving our historic ranch buildings, or planning something—anything—seriously I love to plan!
Joyce ("Joy") Kenney says
Hi Tami,
I enjoyed your post along with Steve & Patty Knight’s comments about your recent activity. I have always wanted to explore old towns. Etc, but never had the opportunity. I will definitely have to learn more about the Rubicon as my Toyota Highlander probably wouldn’t do very well in the outback of Nevada desert!
Tami says
You can do a lot with your Highlander. I have taken my Enclaves on many rough dirt roads. Although the dealership as asked where I had taken them! Some ghost towns and fun sites are right on the side of the road or down graded dirt roads. I will be posting a few of those soon.
We have a Dodge 3500 which is a great truck but too big to get into some locations. The Rubicon will fill the gap between the two vehicles.
Monette Taylor says
Sign me up for your emails! Thanks!
Tami says
Thank you for signing up. I sent the newsletter this morning before you signed up but tried to send it again to you. If it doesn’t go through please let me know.
Donald P. Seibel says
Dear Tami, Milly and I had the opportunity of photograph your barn and buildings today. It was truly a treat for us. I also looked at your website and it’s very impressive. I look forward to your newsletter.
Sincerely,
Don Seibel
P.s I was the one with the cochlear.
Tami says
It was great to meet you today. I told hubby about you. Thank you, the website has been a lot of fun and grown to much more than I ever thought! See you at the next meeting or field trip.
Linda Figueroa says
Stumbled on your website while looking up more information on Stan Paher, an article you did on the ghost town of Averill caught my attention. Anything dealing with ghost towns and their cemeteries will catch my attention, my husband and I love “chasing ghost towns”. We just got back from a four day trip to Tonopah and surrounding areas, something we’ve been saying “one of these days we will…….”. So we did. I signed up for your emails and look forward to reading them and learning about more ghost towns, mine sites and Nevada history.
Tami says
Thank you, Linda. I’m so glad you found my site. Stan is an amazing man, and I am fortunate to call him a friend and join him on trips. Averill was one of the towns in Nevada Magazine’s last issue where I had a feature article. I have had two visits based around Tonopah this summer, and there is so much to explore in the area. I am happy you are taking the opportunity and starting to explore! I have towns listed in alphabetical order, over 300. I am working on making it easier to search by location.
Ken B. says
I stumbled upon your web site while trying to learn a little about Dixie Valley. I’m heading in the general direction soon to explore a couple of tiny trout streams and decided it’d be a perfect opportunity to finally visit Dixie Valley. You’re doing a wonderful job with your site here and I’m looking forward to exploring it further. Thank you!
Tami says
Thank you, I am glad you have enjoyed Nevada Ghost Towns & Beyond. Dixie Valley is an amazing valley to explore, I look forward to more trips. Also, check out the east side of the Lahontan Valley, there are great ghost towns including Coppereid, La Plata, and Wonder.
Carl Brownfield says
Radio Goldfield is committed to bringing our heritage and great history of rural Nevada “Especially in our broadcast area” to the folks that live in our segment of the world. We cover the greater Goldfield and Tonopah area with KGFN 89.1 fm and the greater Fish Lake Valley area with KDYR 90.9 fm plus soon to install our sister station KHRM 90.3 fm to serve the greater Hadley / Round Mountain area. We also broadcast to the Hawthorne area via a translator at 92.1 fm and another translator in Beatty at 99.5fm.
Please give me a call when you get a moment to talk about your involvement in our broadcast. I see lots of ways to utilize your travels via the spoken word.
Thanks very much,
Carl Brownfield – program director
702-241-1901
Tami says
I sent you an email. The next few days are crazy and I will follow up Thursday or Friday if I don’t hear from you.
Bill Schwab says
Tami, thanks again for another great article and photos. As I build my Jeep you’re giving us plenty of places to explore once round one of the build nears completion Spring of 2023.
I know it’s not ghost town related but since you spend time at the Mitzpah have you ever gone out and checked out
” The Sump?”. One of our favorites.
Happy trails!
Tami says
You might have yours done before I get mine back.
I have heard of the Sump but haven’t been.
Josh says
I am doing a research paper and would like to speak to you. If you could please reach out to me I would like to use your site as a reference but have some questions.
Tami says
You can send me an email at Tami@nvtami.com.
Lisa K. says
While researching the old Kirkwood Inn & Saloon of Kirkwood, California, I somehow, luckily, stumbled onto this site! I admire your adventurous spirit. I resonate with your love of history and ghost towns. I, too, have taught college, and I connect my expertise, Theatre and Ed Psych, with people facing and solving challenges, history and society. Thank you for sharing your photos and impressions of ghost towns.
Tami says
I’m glad you found the page! Do you me thorugh Carson Valley. Your name and background is ringing a bell in my brain.
We need to find a way to market a new mental health treatment involving history!
Tom says
I have been going to Dixie Valley almost every year since 1990 and love it there. In fact, we are headed down there to meet up with friends in a few weeks. It was even more interesting when the valley was full of old cars and trucks and the dump was still full of old treasures.
Keep up the good work!
Tom in Idaho
Tami says
Enjoy your trip! Make sure to check out road conditions; Dixie Valley has some washouts this spring.