It's A Dusty Ol' Town Quiz | U.S. States & Cities

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1. This ghost town is in central Nye County and was the second county seat for the county. Silver was discovered in 1865 and had a population as high as 10,000. By time the mines closed in 1887, $15 million had been produced. It has been considered a ghost town since the late 1910s. The site is dominated by its two story brick courthouse and numerous stone buildings along the old main street. Can you pick the correct historic town?

Answer: Belmont

Belmont is one of the best ghost towns in Nevada. It features not only the incredible courthouse but also the remnants of three large mills and the original stone mining office that has been converted into a bed and breakfast. Ione was the first Nye County seat and is also a ghost town, Tonopah is the current one and is a quiet town of about 2500. Rhyolite is another prominent ghost town located in the southern part of the county.

2. This ghost town came into being in 1889 and is located in Lincoln County. By time the mines closed in 1900, over $13 million in gold had been produced. However, the town earned the nickname "The Widowmaker" because of the high rate of silicosis the miners had due to the dust they breathed in. Can you name this dusty old town now marked by only extensive stone ruins?

Answer: Delamar

Delamar is a fascinating place to explore. It also features an old pioneer cemetery. Pioche is another old mining town and is the current Lincoln County seat. Panaca is located in the southern part of the county and still exists. Caliente is an old railroad stop on the Union Pacific Railroad and the old depot is restored and used for the city offices and town library.

3. This ghost town, located in southern Nye County, was established in 1904 after silver was discovered. By 1908, it had grown to one of the biggest cities in Nevada but its end happened almost as quickly. It was completely empty within ten years and the site is dominated by the remains of the John S. Cook bank building. Which of the following towns has been well known as a celebrity wedding site?

Answer: Rhyolite

Rhyolite is the ghost town that hooked me on my path of writing about these wonderful places. It features fantastic remants including the Las Vegas and Tonopah Railroad depot and a restored bottle house. Rhyolite can be seen in the original movie "Vanishing Point" (1971) where the climatic chase scene takes place amid the buildings of the town. Gold Center, Bullfrog, and Gold Bar were three satellite towns that also were abandoned when Rhyolite emptied.

4. This town, in Elko County, started early in 1867 and was named after a U.S. gunboat that was in active service at the time. It took until 1875 before the real mining boom began. By time mining ended in 1919, $15 to $20 million in gold and silver had been produced. Which of these towns listed is also known worldwide for its pottery school?

Answer: Tuscarora

Tuscarora still has a few residents and a number of artists reside at the pottery school. There are many buildings remaining and the town is one of the best ghost towns to explore in Elko County. Cornucopia, Blue Jacket and Edgemont were other mining camps located in the same general area but never grew to be as important as Tuscarora.

5. This western Elko County ghost town came into being in 1907. The gold strike was rich and by 1908, had a population of 1500. It is well known due to heavyweight champion Jack Dempsey buying into a rich mine and working in the mine during 1931 as part of his training for an upcoming bout. Which town below produced over $4 million before the mines closed in the late 1930s?

Answer: Midas

Midas was empty for many years but more recently open pit gold mining has started up and is producing good gold now. Unfortunately, a recent forest fire raged through the town burning down a number of historic buildings including the school house museum. Ivanhoe, Good Hope, and Burner are former mining camps located in the general area that are also ghost towns now.

6. This ghost town is located in Steptoe Valley (White Pine County). Founded in 1872, it's mines were active for over 100 years and produced more than $15 million. It was also a stop on the Nevada Northern Railroad and the depot was moved to Ely in the latter part of the 20th century to be used as a museum. Can you name this jewel of a ghost town?

Answer: Cherry Creek

Cherry Creek is one of the best ghost towns in White Pine County and still has many complete buildings. Unfortunately, a recent grass fire destroyed some of the buildings on its' main street but what remains is still impressive. Piermont, Muncy, and Aurum are ghost towns located in the next valley to the east, Antelope Valley.

7. The mines at this ghost town in Eureka County were discovered in 1869. In 1875 a short railroad was constructed to haul ore to the mills in another nearby town which was the county seat. By the turn of the century, the town, which once had 2500 residents, was empty. Can you figure out the name of this ghost town that is now the site of a large open pit gold mine that is still in operation today?

Answer: Ruby Hill

Ruby Hill is very unique in that it still retains a number of mining headframes and all the equipment buildings housing machinery that hoisted and lowered the mine cages. Unfortunately, the large amount of artifacts that were here a few years ago have all been stolen by thieves who cut through protective gates but much still remains to see.

The railroad is long gone but the bed is visible as it winds down to the county seat of Eureka. Vanderbilt and Pinto were two other mining towns located on the other side of Ruby Hill.

8. White Pine County -- This ghost town was the center of the Treasure Hill mining district and was site of the huge White Pine Rush which took place in the late 1860s. This area has proven to be one of the richest districts ever in the state of Nevada. However, mining slowed drastically after the 1870s. Can you deduce which ghost town once had 5000 residents and has been empty since the early 1900s?

Answer: Hamilton

While Hamilton was the main town of Treasure Hill, the mines were located away from the town itself by a few miles. Hamilton is still a spectacular place to visit with many stone ruins and a substantial cemetery. Many satellite towns also developed nearer the mines so there are another half dozen other ghost towns to visit in the nearby areas such as Eberhardt, Shermantown, Seligman, and Treasure City and Pocotillo, located high up on top of Treasure Hill. Truly one of the finest areas for ghost town visitors not only in White Pine County but in all of Nevada.

9. In White Pine County is an extremely unique place that started as an important stop on the Pony Express and, later, the Overland Stage. It also had some nearby mining in the 1870s that saw the small town have over 100 residents. Which of these choices is the long abandoned ghost town that still features the large stone Wells Fargo office building?

Answer: Shellbourne

Schellbourne was plagued by Indian attacks during its time as a Pony Experss station including one that killed the station keeper and two assistants in July, 1860. By time the Overland Stage took over in 1861, these problems had ended. While mining ended in the 1870s, the small town survived as a central point for area miners and ranchers to receive supplies until the 1920s when the few remaining residents left and the post office closed.

A small ranch still operates there and numerous stone and log buildings remain.

The other three choices were the Pony Express stations to the east of Schellbourne.

10. Located in the very northern reaches of Elko County, this town is quite remote but has a rich history. During winter, the only access is by crossing into Idaho and heading south back into Nevada. Can you pick which town was the last big boom town in Nevada starting in 1909?

Answer: Jarbidge

During its active years from 1909 until 1931, more than $20 million in gold was mined with some estimates running as high as $40 to $50 million. While mostly abandoned, Jarbidge remains a very popular summer get a way spot for people from Elko County and beyond.

While it is a dusty road to get there, the town is deep in a canyon with the Jarbidge River running down the middle. Not only, historically, a wonderful place to explore and learn mining history, it is a great place to camp for a week and enjoy the wilderness in a great green setting.

Many times during the winter, the town is cut off from civilization for a while due to the snow and/or flooding. The other three choices are ghost towns in the general area.

Source: Author ghosttowner

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It's A Dusty Ol' Town Trivia Quiz

Nevada is well known for being windy, dry, and dusty. It is also known for its many old dusty ghost towns which many make a hobby of to visit. Here are some questions about 10 prominent Nevada ghost towns and all are ol' dusty towns!

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