Did you know that Tonopah, NV is a historic mining town located between Las Vegas and Reno? As a small historic town with a population of around 3000, Tonopah, Nevada was the site of one of the richest booms in the West during the year 1900, with the accidental discovery of gold and silver by prospector Jim Butler.
Back on May 19, 1900, Butler picked up an extremely heavy rock to throw at his burro when it went missing. This is when he discovered that he actually stumbled upon the second-richest silver strike in Nevada history. News of the discovery traveled quickly and soon prospectors were coming from all over to search the area. Sound after, Butler and his wife filed eight claims near the springs. By the summer of 1901, the mines around Tonopah, Nevada had already produced about $750,000 worth of gold and silver.
If you’re curious to know more about this small historical town, read on to learn about one of the most interesting places in Nevada.
Pending on the direction you’re coming from, you’ll need to take I-95 north or south to reach Tonopah, Nevada. Since there’s so much to do in this small town, you can easily spend the day, or even the weekend away, here.
wikimedia commons/Ken Lund
By 1907, Tonopah, NV was a large city with modern hotels, electric and water companies, five banks, multiple schools, and many other buildings. From 1900 to 1921, the ore produced at Tonopah’s mines was worth nearly $121 million.
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Part of the history of Tonopah includes The Mizpah Mine which you can visit when you go to the Tonopah Historic Mining Park.
wikimedia commons/Marty Stupich Because the mining park property was abandoned and became a safety hazard, the town of Tonopah, NV took control of it and turned it into a park, self-guided tour, museum, and gift shop. The purpose of the Tonopah Historic Mining Park is to preserve the history of the local area and to educate others about the history of Tonopah, Nevada.
When you visit Tonopah, NV plan to stop by the Clown Motel which open in 1985. In addition to being conveniently located next to the Tonopah Cemetery, the motel is considered one of the most interesting places in Nevada because it’s said to be haunted. It’s also a nice backdrop for some photos too.
flickr/Wayne Stadler
As if staying in a motel filled with clowns isn’t frightening enough, it’s also sitting right next to a haunted cemetery. Tonopah’s Clown Motel features more than 600 clowns, and the Tonopah Cemetery contains the graves of miners who died unpleasantly. Several motel guests have reported seeing the ghosts of these miners during their stay.
flickr/Will Keightley
Until 1929, at five stories tall, the Mizpah Hotel was Nevada’s tallest building. This historic hotel is supposedly haunted by a few prostitutes from its early days. The most famous prostitute, “Lady in Red,” is known to touch men’s hair or rub it up against them. How creepy is that?
flickr/BriYYZ
wikimedia commons/Ken Lund
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wikimedia commons/Marty Stupich
Because the mining park property was abandoned and became a safety hazard, the town of Tonopah, NV took control of it and turned it into a park, self-guided tour, museum, and gift shop. The purpose of the Tonopah Historic Mining Park is to preserve the history of the local area and to educate others about the history of Tonopah, Nevada.
flickr/Wayne Stadler
flickr/Will Keightley
flickr/BriYYZ
In addition to Tonopah being a mining town with great history, it’s also well known for its stargazing opportunities. Learn more about the highly regarded sky park in this piece about Tonopah, NV.
With so many things to see and do in Tonopah, would you consider this historic mining town to be one of the most interesting places in Nevada? Feel free to share your thoughts in the following comment section. You can also take this Nevada Ghost Town Road Trip to explore other mining towns in the state.
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Address: Tonopah, NV 89049, USA
The OIYS Visitor Center
Tonopah, NV December 27, 2022 Marla S. What are some interesting facts about Tonopah, Nevada? In addition to the information shared in this article, take a look at the following interesting facts about Tonopah, Nevada.
The town’s name is derived from the Shoshoni language. The town was originally a Native American campground. Tonopah, NV is an ideal destination to go hiking, bird watching, off-roading, and other outdoor activities. About 3,000 people live in this unincorporated town. The show Ghost Adventures was filmed in Tonopah, Nevada.
Take a look at the history of Tonopah, Nevada to learn more about this unique town. What are some interesting places in Nevada? Aside from Tonopah, here’s an overview of other interesting places in Nevada.
Fly Geyser - Washoe County, NV Neon Boneyard - Las Vegas, NV Unusual sculptures at Goldwell Open Air Museum - Rhyolite, NV Area 51 - Rachel, NV Pyramid Lake - Washoe County, NV Ghost towns throughout Nevada
To learn more about these destinations, take a look at these interesting places in Nevada. What are some restaurants in Tonopah, NV? Here are some restaurants to consider dining at after spending the day exploring Tonopah, NV.
Tonopah Brewing Company Hometown Pizza Pittman Cafe at Mizpah Hotel Stage Stop Cafe
The OIYS Visitor Center
Tonopah, NV
December 27, 2022
Marla S.
What are some interesting facts about Tonopah, Nevada? In addition to the information shared in this article, take a look at the following interesting facts about Tonopah, Nevada.
The town’s name is derived from the Shoshoni language. The town was originally a Native American campground. Tonopah, NV is an ideal destination to go hiking, bird watching, off-roading, and other outdoor activities. About 3,000 people live in this unincorporated town. The show Ghost Adventures was filmed in Tonopah, Nevada.
Take a look at the history of Tonopah, Nevada to learn more about this unique town. What are some interesting places in Nevada? Aside from Tonopah, here’s an overview of other interesting places in Nevada.
Fly Geyser - Washoe County, NV Neon Boneyard - Las Vegas, NV Unusual sculptures at Goldwell Open Air Museum - Rhyolite, NV Area 51 - Rachel, NV Pyramid Lake - Washoe County, NV Ghost towns throughout Nevada
To learn more about these destinations, take a look at these interesting places in Nevada. What are some restaurants in Tonopah, NV? Here are some restaurants to consider dining at after spending the day exploring Tonopah, NV.
Tonopah Brewing Company Hometown Pizza Pittman Cafe at Mizpah Hotel Stage Stop Cafe
The OIYS Visitor Center
The OIYS Visitor Center
In addition to the information shared in this article, take a look at the following interesting facts about Tonopah, Nevada.
- The town’s name is derived from the Shoshoni language.
- The town was originally a Native American campground.
- Tonopah, NV is an ideal destination to go hiking, bird watching, off-roading, and other outdoor activities.
- About 3,000 people live in this unincorporated town.
- The show Ghost Adventures was filmed in Tonopah, Nevada.
Take a look at the history of Tonopah, Nevada to learn more about this unique town.
What are some interesting places in Nevada?
Aside from Tonopah, here’s an overview of other interesting places in Nevada.
- Fly Geyser - Washoe County, NV
- Neon Boneyard - Las Vegas, NV
- Unusual sculptures at Goldwell Open Air Museum - Rhyolite, NV
- Area 51 - Rachel, NV
- Pyramid Lake - Washoe County, NV
- Ghost towns throughout Nevada
To learn more about these destinations, take a look at these interesting places in Nevada.
What are some restaurants in Tonopah, NV?
Here are some restaurants to consider dining at after spending the day exploring Tonopah, NV.
- Tonopah Brewing Company
- Hometown Pizza
- Pittman Cafe at Mizpah Hotel
- Stage Stop Cafe
