Battle Mountain Nevada Was Once Labeled The Armpit Of America

True Nevadans know that all of the Silver State’s small towns have something special to offer. They may not look like much to out-of-staters, but it’s often the most unexpected places where you find the greatest adventures! That sentiment couldn’t be more true when it comes to the small northern Nevada community of Battle Mountain. It’s true that options are few when it comes to restaurants and lodging, but the people who live here know there’s a lot of charm hiding in this town. That’s why when Battle Mountain was labeled “the Armpit of America,” locals took the title in stride. In fact, they embraced it.

Welcome to Battle Mountain! Also labeled “The Armpit of America” by a 2001 article in the Washington Post Sunday Magazine. The nasty moniker was in reference to the town’s “lack of character” and “harsh location.” However, locals weren’t too wound up about the name.

Jimmy Emerson/Flickr

It’s really not very armpit-like, as you can see.

Coeurer de Bois/GoogleMaps

In true Nevadan fashion, Battle Mountain locals took the label and ran with it. They even hosted an annual “Festival in the Pit” sponsored by Old Spice for some time. Signs along I-80 were decorated with the slogan, “Make us your Pit Stop.”

Chris T/GoogleMaps

If you do visit Battle Mountain, you’ll quickly find out that this town is far from lacking on character. In fact, this place is bursting with charm. The centerpiece of the town is the iconic Owl Club. This historic restaurant and motel has been serving the community for over a century.

Blaire Tech Digital/GoogleMaps

The Owl Club has the look and feel of a restaurant straight out of the 1950s. It’s the quintessential small town restaurant/casino, boasting large portions of savory steaks and juicy burgers. It’s a must-visit place when you find yourself in Battle Mountain.

Jasperdo/Flickr

Since Battle Mountain is in the middle of cowboy country, admittedly there aren’t a ton of attractions to check out - at least not of the Las Vegas sort. However, you do have to stop by the Cookhouse Museum for a unique insight into the town’s past. Located in a 1920s ranch cook shack, the museum is full of artifacts from Battle Mountain’s early days.

Nathan/GoogleMaps

But what the town lacks in “big city appeal” it nevertheless makes up for with character. You’ll find all of the staples that radiate small town familiarity: old-school motels, summer main street parades, green playgrounds for the kids, churches, casinos, and everything in between.

Jonathan Fischer/GoogleMaps

Overall, dining options are humble. However, the town embraces quality over quantity.

Richard Masoner/Flickr

El Aguila Real is one of the few restaurants in town, but they serve up some outstanding Mexican food. It’s small town eateries like this one that pour the most love into their food, and it shows.

Hugo Guevara/GoogleMaps Other local favorites include The Colt, The Hideaway, Broadway Diner, and more.

It’s been decades since Battle Mountain was given the less-than-stellar nickname that made it famous. For the most part, the nickname has been forgotten. However, the reaction to the name is what will stand the test of time. It just goes to show that Nevadans are a unique sort of people that aren’t easily riled.

cclark395/Flickr

Have you visited Battle Mountain, Nevada before? This humble town just goes to show that you can find some amazing treasures where you least expect them!

Jimmy Emerson/Flickr

Coeurer de Bois/GoogleMaps

Chris T/GoogleMaps

Blaire Tech Digital/GoogleMaps

Jasperdo/Flickr

Nathan/GoogleMaps

Jonathan Fischer/GoogleMaps

Richard Masoner/Flickr

Hugo Guevara/GoogleMaps

Other local favorites include The Colt, The Hideaway, Broadway Diner, and more.

cclark395/Flickr

Check out these underrated towns in Nevada for more hidden gems that you need to visit.

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Address: Battle Mountain, NV 89820, USA

The OIYS Visitor Center

Battle Mountain, Nevada & Related Info January 02, 2023 Jennifer What are some of the most unique small-town attractions in Nevada? In many respects, Nevada’s landscape is a collection of oddities. Artists have been using the state’s desert location as a canvas for years, and many of the unlikeliest small towns and dirt road outskirts feature unique galleries, historic businesses, and roadside attractions for visitors to admire. Some of the most unique small-town attractions in Nevada include:

Alien Research Center, Hiko Clown Motel, Tonopah Flaming Praying Mantis, Las Vegas Goldwell Open Air Museum, Rhyolite Great Basin National Park, Baker Guru Road/Dooby Lane, Gerlach Humboldt Museum, Winnemucca Hoover Dam, Boulder City International Car Forest of the Last Church, Goldfield Jarbidge Wilderness, Jarbidge Jigg’s Bar, Elko Little A’Le’Inn, Rachel Republic of Molossia, Dayton Tonopah Historic Mining Park, Tonopah

Are there any haunted hotels in Nevada? With a backstory made legendary by Wild West outlaws, vibrant boomtowns, and a fantastic smattering of historic events, it’s no wonder that Nevada is considered to be one of the most haunted and paranormal corners of the country. Nevada’s hotels are particularly full of history and reported supernatural events. Here are just a few of the most haunted hotels in Nevada:

Boulder Dam Hotel, Boulder Dam Goldfield Hotel, Goldfield Gold Hill Hotel, Virginia City Jackson House Hotel, Eureka Mitzpah Hotel, Tonopah Nevada Hotel, Battle Mountain Overland Hotel, Pioche Silver Queen Hotel, Virginia City Santa Fe Inn, Winnemucca Sugarloaf Mountain Motel, Virginia City Thunderbird Lodge, Incline Village

The OIYS Visitor Center

Battle Mountain, Nevada & Related Info

January 02, 2023

Jennifer

What are some of the most unique small-town attractions in Nevada? In many respects, Nevada’s landscape is a collection of oddities. Artists have been using the state’s desert location as a canvas for years, and many of the unlikeliest small towns and dirt road outskirts feature unique galleries, historic businesses, and roadside attractions for visitors to admire. Some of the most unique small-town attractions in Nevada include:

The OIYS Visitor Center

In many respects, Nevada’s landscape is a collection of oddities. Artists have been using the state’s desert location as a canvas for years, and many of the unlikeliest small towns and dirt road outskirts feature unique galleries, historic businesses, and roadside attractions for visitors to admire. Some of the most unique small-town attractions in Nevada include:

Alien Research Center, Hiko
Clown Motel, Tonopah
Flaming Praying Mantis, Las Vegas
Goldwell Open Air Museum, Rhyolite
Great Basin National Park, Baker
Guru Road/Dooby Lane, Gerlach
Humboldt Museum, Winnemucca
Hoover Dam, Boulder City
International Car Forest of the Last Church, Goldfield
Jarbidge Wilderness, Jarbidge
Jigg’s Bar, Elko
Little A’Le’Inn, Rachel
Republic of Molossia, Dayton
Tonopah Historic Mining Park, Tonopah

Are there any haunted hotels in Nevada?

With a backstory made legendary by Wild West outlaws, vibrant boomtowns, and a fantastic smattering of historic events, it’s no wonder that Nevada is considered to be one of the most haunted and paranormal corners of the country. Nevada’s hotels are particularly full of history and reported supernatural events. Here are just a few of the most haunted hotels in Nevada:

Boulder Dam Hotel, Boulder Dam
Goldfield Hotel, Goldfield
Gold Hill Hotel, Virginia City
Jackson House Hotel, Eureka
Mitzpah Hotel, Tonopah
Nevada Hotel, Battle Mountain
Overland Hotel, Pioche
Silver Queen Hotel, Virginia City
Santa Fe Inn, Winnemucca
Sugarloaf Mountain Motel, Virginia City
Thunderbird Lodge, Incline Village