NEVADA GHOST TOWNS & BEYOND

With the mining boom in Mason and Smith Valleys, a smelter was needed to process copper ore. The location was selected at the north end of Mason Valley to the east of the Sigatse Range. Mason Valley Mines Company began construction in 1910. The first smelter went online in 1912 and could process 700-1000 tons of copper ore per day. A second 500 ton smelter was constructed in ... VIEW POST

In 1850, young Rachel traveled with her family to the promised land of California. They took the Carson River Route of the Emigrant Trail which crossed the Sierra Nevada Mountains, connecting Carson Valley and Woodfords on the east to Placerville on the west. As was all too frequent, Rachel became ill and died during the journey. Her family buried her under a fir tree in a meadow. ... VIEW POST

The largest gold nugget discovered on the eastern slope of the Sierras was found fourteen miles west of Bodie at Dog Town. In 1867 Charles Snyder explored Dog Town Creek to locate the source of the placer gold. He located quartz veins on Kavanaugh Ridge. He dug a 40 foot tunnel and transported three tons of ore to Aurora for processing. His payout was only $150, but it was enough for him to ... VIEW POST

In 1848, a company of Mormons who fought in the Mexican-American War made their way from Placerville toward the newly established Mormon settlement of Salt Lake City, Utah. Many groups were looking for alternatives to the Truckee River Route after the recent horrors the Donner-Reed Party faced. Forty-five men, one woman, 150 each of oxen and horses/mules, 17 wagons and two cannons began ... VIEW POST