Many hidden gems are scattered throughout Nevada. And some of these hidden gems hold historic keys to the state’s past. Let’s take a look at 12 of these historic hidden gems.
- Virginia City Historic District
wikipedia The Virginia City Historic District encompasses Virginia City, Gold Hill, Dayton and Silver City. The discovery of the Comstock Lode in 1859 is responsible for Virginia City’s success.
- Hoover Dam
wikimedia commons/LICKO Hoover Dam, located in the Black Canyon of the Colorado River, was constructed during the Great Depression. It was also responsible for the creation of Lake Mead - America’s largest reservoir.
- Fort Churchill
flickr/Jeff Moser Fort Churchill, located in Silver Springs, was built in 1861 and was once an active U.S. Army fort. It’s purpose was to provide protection for early settlers. It was abandoned nine years later, and the buildings that remain today are in total ruins.
- Tonopah Historic Mining Park
flickr/Tofu The Tonopah Historic Mining Park is located on the original mining claims that started the rush to Tonopah. Covering more than 100 acres, this historic park features many exhibits and restored buildings.
- Stokes Castle
wikimedia commons/Famartin Stokes Castle, located outside of Austin, was built (1896-1897) by Anson Phelps Stokes - a mine developer, railroad magnate and banker. The castle stands as a monument to not only the men who built it, but also to the men who developed the mines of Austin.
- Lovelock Cave
wikimedia commons/Ken Lund Lovelock Cave was previously known as Sunset Guano Cave, Horseshoe Cave and Loud Site 18. It was in use as early as 2580 BC. However, it wasn’t heavily occupied until around 1000 BC. Lovelock Cave was occupied by humans for more than 4,000 years. The most popular discovery of Lovelock Cave was red-haired ancient giants.
- Old Las Vegas Mormon Fort
wikimedia commons/David Stanley Built in 1855, Old Mormon Fort was the first structure built in the same area that would later become Las Vegas.
- Grimes Point
wikimedia commons/Jonathanking Grimes Point, located in Churchill County, is a 720 acre archaeological site featuring numerous petroglyphs. In 1972, Grimes Point was listed on the National Register of Historic Places.
- Ruby Valley Pony Express Station
wikimedia commons/JERRYE AND ROY KLOTZ MD The Ruby Valley Pony Express Station, located in Elko, was built in 1860 and is one of only two Pony Express buildings left in Nevada. In 1975, the station was listed on the National Register of Historic Places.
- Rhyolite
wikimedia commons/Terrisa Meeks Rhyolite, located in Nye County, began in 1905 as a mining camp that sprang up shortly after a local prospecting discovery. Today, Rhyolite is in ruins and is Nevada’s most popular ghost town.
- Pioneer Saloon
PioneerSaloon.info Built in 1913, and located in Goodsprings, the Pioneer Saloon is Clark County’s oldest bar. It’s supposedly America’s oldest stamped-metal building that’s still standing.
- Berlin–Ichthyosaur State Park
wikimedia commons/Famartin Berlin-Ichthyosaur State Park was established in 1957. Its main purpose is to protect and display North America’s largest known ichthyosaur fossils. This state park also preserves the mining town of Berlin.
Have you visited any of these historic hidden gems?
wikipedia
The Virginia City Historic District encompasses Virginia City, Gold Hill, Dayton and Silver City. The discovery of the Comstock Lode in 1859 is responsible for Virginia City’s success.
wikimedia commons/LICKO
Hoover Dam, located in the Black Canyon of the Colorado River, was constructed during the Great Depression. It was also responsible for the creation of Lake Mead - America’s largest reservoir.
flickr/Jeff Moser
Fort Churchill, located in Silver Springs, was built in 1861 and was once an active U.S. Army fort. It’s purpose was to provide protection for early settlers. It was abandoned nine years later, and the buildings that remain today are in total ruins.
flickr/Tofu
The Tonopah Historic Mining Park is located on the original mining claims that started the rush to Tonopah. Covering more than 100 acres, this historic park features many exhibits and restored buildings.
wikimedia commons/Famartin
Stokes Castle, located outside of Austin, was built (1896-1897) by Anson Phelps Stokes - a mine developer, railroad magnate and banker. The castle stands as a monument to not only the men who built it, but also to the men who developed the mines of Austin.
wikimedia commons/Ken Lund
Lovelock Cave was previously known as Sunset Guano Cave, Horseshoe Cave and Loud Site 18. It was in use as early as 2580 BC. However, it wasn’t heavily occupied until around 1000 BC. Lovelock Cave was occupied by humans for more than 4,000 years. The most popular discovery of Lovelock Cave was red-haired ancient giants.
wikimedia commons/David Stanley
Built in 1855, Old Mormon Fort was the first structure built in the same area that would later become Las Vegas.
wikimedia commons/Jonathanking
Grimes Point, located in Churchill County, is a 720 acre archaeological site featuring numerous petroglyphs. In 1972, Grimes Point was listed on the National Register of Historic Places.
wikimedia commons/JERRYE AND ROY KLOTZ MD
The Ruby Valley Pony Express Station, located in Elko, was built in 1860 and is one of only two Pony Express buildings left in Nevada. In 1975, the station was listed on the National Register of Historic Places.
wikimedia commons/Terrisa Meeks
Rhyolite, located in Nye County, began in 1905 as a mining camp that sprang up shortly after a local prospecting discovery. Today, Rhyolite is in ruins and is Nevada’s most popular ghost town.
PioneerSaloon.info
Built in 1913, and located in Goodsprings, the Pioneer Saloon is Clark County’s oldest bar. It’s supposedly America’s oldest stamped-metal building that’s still standing.
Berlin-Ichthyosaur State Park was established in 1957. Its main purpose is to protect and display North America’s largest known ichthyosaur fossils. This state park also preserves the mining town of Berlin.
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