Nevada’s distinct history is borne by the nearly 600 towns that rose and fell before the 1900s even had time to stretch its legs. The gold and silver fever that struck the nation resulted in a clamor that touched nearly every corner of the state. While most towns bore fruit only for short periods, they literally left their mark on the state’s landscape. Many ghost towns may have no residents, but they are still full of stories, if you listen closely.
IN THIS ISSUE
NEVADA MAGAZINE & VISITOR GUIDE
SOUTHEAST NEVADA
BASE CAMP – CALIENTE (see page 88 for details)
JACKRABBIT
Just off U.S. Route 93, a Nevada historical marker announces Jackrabbit, but tall juniper and pinyon pines do their best to hide its remains. The town’s story, if true, begins with one of the luckiest Nevadans ever. Lore states a prospector bent down to pick up a rock to throw at a jackrabbit, only to find himself holding high-grade silver. A small town sprung up in 1876, but by 1893, operations halted. Look for a massive mineshaft, complete with ore cart tracks that protrude from a giant shaft. The cold air coming from the mineshaft feels like someone turned on a powerful air conditioner. There are also remnants of a suspended aerial tram used to transport ore from the nearby silver camp of Bristol.
STAY OU T
STAY ALIVE
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