Vanderbilt California – San Bernardino County Ghost Town

A metal headframe marks a vertical shaft in the mining district outside of Vanderbilt California.
A metal headframe marks a vertical shaft in the mining district outside of Vanderbilt California.

Vanderbilt, California, was a fleeting but vibrant gold mining town located in the New York Mountains near the California-Nevada border, approximately 40 miles north of Goffs, California, within what is now the Mojave National Preserve. Existing primarily between 1891 and 1895, Vanderbilt epitomized the boom-and-bust cycle typical of late 19th-century Western mining settlements. Named optimistically after the wealthy Vanderbilt family in hopes of mirroring their fortune, the town’s history reflects the rapid excitement and subsequent abandonment that characterized many gold rush communities.

Old Plumbing remains in the town of Vanderbilt, CA
Old Plumbing remains in the town of Vanderbilt, CA

Discovery and Founding (1891–1892)

The story of Vanderbilt begins in January 1891, when a Native American prospector named Robert Black discovered gold ore on the north slope of the New York Mountains. This initial strike sparked interest, and a small mining camp soon formed near Vanderbilt Spring, a vital water source in the arid region. The camp remained modest until the fall of 1892, when additional gold-rich veins were uncovered, triggering a rush to the area. By January 1893, the settlement had grown to approximately 150 residents, living in a makeshift community of 50 tents, supported by two stores, a saloon, three restaurants, a lodging house, a blacksmith shop, and a stable.

The town’s name, “Vanderbilt,” was chosen to evoke the prosperity of the prominent American industrialist family, signaling the miners’ ambitions for wealth. The discovery of gold in the Gold Bronze, Sagamore, and Boomerang mines fueled optimism, drawing prospectors, merchants, and adventurers to the remote desert location.

Vanderbilt Business District
Vanderbilt Business District

Peak Prosperity (1893–1894)

Virgil Earp 1843 -1905
Virgil Earp 1843 -1905

Vanderbilt reached its zenith in 1894, with a population estimated at around 400 residents. During this period, the town developed into a bustling hub with a well-defined business district. Historical accounts describe a lively community featuring three saloons, two barbers, a Chinese restaurant, two additional eating houses, two meat markets, a stationery and fruit store, one lodging house, two blacksmiths, and three general stores. William McFarlane, a pioneer from nearby Ivanpah, operated one of these stores, which also housed the post office and a drugstore.

A notable figure associated with Vanderbilt was Virgil Earp, the older brother of Wyatt Earp and a survivor of the infamous Gunfight at the O.K. Corral. According to Earp family historians, Virgil owned the town’s only two-story building, a combination hotel and saloon. His wife, Allie Earp, later recalled that the structure also hosted church services and dances, suggesting a semblance of community life amid the rough mining environment.

In 1894, two ten-stamp mills were constructed to process ore from the Gold Bronze and Boomerang mines, marking the height of Vanderbilt’s industrial activity. These mills were essential for crushing ore and extracting gold, and their completion signaled the town’s economic peak. However, this prosperity was short-lived, as geological challenges soon emerged.

Decline and Abandonment (1895–Late 1890s)

Vanderbilt’s downfall began almost as quickly as its rise. Around the same time the mills were completed in 1894, miners struck water in the shafts of the principal mines. Flooding rendered the underground operations unworkable, halting gold extraction and undermining the town’s economic foundation. Without a sustainable source of wealth, residents began to abandon Vanderbilt, seeking opportunities elsewhere.

By 1895, the population had dwindled significantly, and the once-thriving town faded into obscurity. The exact date of its complete abandonment is unclear, but by the late 1890s, Vanderbilt had become a ghost town. Its brief existence left little behind beyond scattered mining relics, such as a metal headframe marking a vertical shaft, and remnants of old plumbing, which hint at its former activity.

A horizontal mine shaft in Vanderbilt
A horizontal mine shaft in Vanderbilt

Legacy and Modern Context

Today, Vanderbilt lies within the Mojave National Preserve, a protected area that preserves the region’s natural and historical features. The town’s coordinates are approximately 35°19’38.20″N, 115°14’59.14″W, near the modern gambling hub of Primm, Nevada. While no standing structures remain, the site serves as a testament to the transient nature of mining boomtowns in the American West.

Exploring the ghost town of Vanderbilt, CA
Exploring the ghost town of Vanderbilt, CA

Vanderbilt’s history reflects broader themes of the late 19th-century gold rush: speculative ambition, rapid growth fueled by mineral wealth, and abrupt collapse due to environmental and economic realities. Though short-lived, the town contributed to the lore of the Wild West, with its connection to figures like Virgil Earp adding a layer of historical intrigue.

Vanderbilt, California, encapsulates the ephemeral nature of mining settlements in the American frontier. From its founding in 1891 to its peak in 1894 and its decline by 1895, the town’s trajectory mirrors countless others that rose and fell with the fortunes of the earth. Though little remains of Vanderbilt today, its story endures as a snapshot of a bygone era, preserved in historical records and the stark desert landscape it once briefly animated.

Town Summary

Town NameVanderbilt
LocationSan Bernardino County, California
Latitude, Longitude35.327222, -115.249722
Population500
Elevation4350 Feet
NewspaperThe Shaft
Post OfficeFebruary 1893 – 1910

Vanderbilt Trail Map

Further Reading

Rhyolite Nevada – Nye County Ghost Town

Rhyolite is a ghost town location just outside of the Eastern edge of Death Valley National monument in Nye country, Nevada.  Founded in 1904 by Frank “Shorty” Harris when he discovered quartz with load of “Free Gold”, Rhyolite started as a gold mining camp in the surrounding Bullfrog mining district. As with many discovery’s during this time period, news quickly circulated and the Bullfrog mining district was formed.

Rhyolite, Nevada photo by James L Rathbun
Rhyolite, Nevada photo by James L Rathbun
Cook Bank Building, Rhyolite Nevada, Photo marked 1908 and "Courtesy of the Nevada Historical Society"
Cook Bank Building, Rhyolite Nevada, Photo marked 1908 and “Courtesy of the Nevada Historical Society”

Assays of $3000 per ton were reported by the mining press of the day, and the fall and winter saw many people converge on the area despite the weather conditions. Tonopah and Goldfield saw hundreds head south in the spring of 1905, and the migration caused “a string of dust a hundred miles long”.

It is an encouraging sign that the Ryolite Jail still stands. Also noteworthy, a brothel crib still stands as well.
It is an encouraging sign that the Ryolite Jail still stands. Also noteworthy, a brothel crib still stands as well.

The townsite of Rhyolite was found in a draw close to the most important mines in February, 1905. To start, the town was a mining camp with tents and canvas walled building. Fuel shortages caused the populous to burn sage brush and greasewood as fuel for their stoves to cook and keep warm. Food and fuel were teamed into the area on daily stages and water was bought over from Beatty for $5 per barrel.

A train caboose as found in Rhyolite, Nevada - Photo by James L Rathbun
A train caboose as found in Rhyolite, Nevada – Photo by James L Rathbun

However, as was common with gold rush towns, Rhyolite quickly developed all of the modern amenities of day, including newspapers, schools, hospitals and electrical power. Six thousand people called the town home in 1907. Luxuries unimaginable just two years before include, hotel rooms with private baths, and opera house, dozens of saloons, four banks, and a butcher shop were brought to the town by three different trains.

The mines of Rhyolite, Nevada operated from 1905 - 1911
The mines of Rhyolite, Nevada operated from 1905 – 1911

Decline and Abandonment

Rhyolite’s prosperity was short-lived. Several factors converged to precipitate its decline. The high-grade ore began to dwindle by 1908, and an independent study commissioned by investors in the Montgomery Shoshone Mine deemed it overvalued, causing stock values to plummet. The 1906 San Francisco earthquake diverted capital to California and disrupted rail service, while the financial panic of 1907 tightened funding for mine development. By 1909, the mine was operating at a loss, closing permanently in March 1911.

As mining activity waned, unemployed miners left for opportunities elsewhere. Businesses failed, and the population dropped to 675 by the 1910 census. All three banks closed that year, followed by the last newspaper in 1912, the post office in 1913, and the final train departure in 1914. In 1916, the Nevada-California Power Company cut electricity and removed its lines, leaving Rhyolite nearly abandoned. By 1920, only 14 residents remained, and the town was fully deserted by 1924 after its last resident’s death. Many buildings were dismantled for materials, relocated to nearby Beatty, or left to crumble in the desert.The San Francisco earthquake of 1906 and a financial panic of 1907 dried up capital investment which doomed the town along with many others in the region. Rhyolite ceased to be and closed in 1911.  

“The Last Supper” and other art pieces hold court just outside of Rhyolite

Current Status

Today, Rhyolite is a well-preserved ghost town managed by the Bureau of Land Management (BLM) as the Rhyolite Historic Area. Its ruins, including the Cook Bank Building, train depot, and Tom Kelly’s Bottle House, attract visitors and photographers, earning it a reputation as one of the West’s most photographed ghost towns. The bottle house, restored by Paramount Pictures in 1925 for the film The Air Mail and later by locals, remains a standout feature. The nearby Goldwell Open Air Museum, established in 1984 by Belgian artist Albert Szukalski, adds an artistic dimension with sculptures like “The Last Supper,” a haunting plaster rendition of Leonardo da Vinci’s masterpiece.

Rhyolite has also appeared in films and literature, including a mention in Ian Fleming’s James Bond novel Diamonds Are Forever. While vandalism and graffiti have marred some structures, efforts to preserve its historical integrity continue. The site is accessible via a paved road off State Route 374, about 4 miles west of Beatty, offering free public access year-round.

Rhyolite is a wonderful place to visit when you are running Titus Canyon and Leadfield trail.

Geological Context

Rhyolite sits within the Bullfrog Hills, part of the southwestern Nevada volcanic field. The area’s geology features rhyolitic lava flows, formed 13.3 to 7.6 million years ago, overlying Paleozoic sedimentary rocks. These flows, fractured into fault blocks by tectonic activity, host the mineralized veins that spurred the gold rush. The town’s name reflects this geological heritage, derived from the light-colored, felsic volcanic rock dominant in the region.

Rhyolite Town Summary

NameRhyolite
LocationNye County
NewspaperRhyolite Herald May 25, 1905-Apr 26, 1907; Oct 11, 1907-June 22, 1912; Mar 1909 Special Ed
Rhyolite Daily Bulletin Sept 23, 1907 – May 31, 1909
Death Valley Prospector Nov – Dec 1907

Rhyolite Map

Rhyolite Points of Interest

Bullfrog Goldfield Railroad in Rhyolite

Bullfrog Goldfield Railroad

The Bullfrog and Goldfield Railroad, often referred to as the B&G Railroad, played a significant role in the late 19th and early 20th-century mining boom…
Rhyolite, Nevada photo by James L Rathbun

Cook Bank Building

The Cook Bank Building is the most iconic image and popular images of the Rhyolite ghost town, in Nye County, Nevada. When John S. Cook…
Rhyolite Train Depot is located at the north end of town in Rhyolite, Nye County, Nevada. - Photo by James L Rathbun

Las Vegas and Tonopah Railroad

The Las Vegas and Tonopah Railroad was a standard gauge railroad which operated along 197 miles between the town of Las Vegas and Goldfield, NV.…
Overbury Building, Rhylote, Nevada. - Photograph by James L Rathbun

Overbury Building

The Overbury building is a general office building built by John Overbury, in Rhyolite, Nye County Nevada in 1906. The building was one of two…
Porter Brothers store front in Phyolite, Nevada - Photo by James L Rathbun

Porter Brothers Store

The Porter Brothers store is a ruined storefront on the main street in the ghost town of Rhyolite, Nye County, Nevada. The Porter Brothers were…
Rhyolite Train Depot is located at the north end of town in Rhyolite, Nye County, Nevada. - Photo by James L Rathbun

Rhyolite Train Depot

The town of Rhyolite boasted three train services using the Rhyolite Train Depot which is completed in June, 1908. The depot services the Las Vegas…

Rhyolite Personalities

Frank "Shorty" Harris

Frank “Shorty” Harris

Frank Harris was a prospector, desert rat and perhaps the best known character in western mining history. He looked the part, often travelling the desert…
James Crysanthus Phelan

James Crysanthus Phelan – Rhyolite Shopkeeper

James Crysanthus Phelan James Crysanthus Phelan was a business man and early pioneer of the desert southwest, who like many others followed the boom towns…
John S Cook overseeing bars of gold bullion. Photo Goldfield Historical Society

John S Cook

John S Cook overseeing bars of gold bullion. Photo Goldfield Historical Society John S Cook is the founder and builder of the Cook Bank Building…
Walter Scott (1872 - 1954)

Walter Edward Perry Scott – “Death Valley Scotty”

Walter Edward Perry Scott  (September 20, 1872 – January 5, 1954), also known as "Death Valley Scotty", was a miner, prospector and conman who operated…

Further Reading

Nevada Ghost Towns and Mining Camps - By Stanley W. Paher

Nevada Ghost Towns and Mining Camps

Nevada Ghost Towns and Mining Camps - By Stanley W. Paher Nevada Ghost Towns and Mining Camps is a wonderful book written by Stanley W.…

Resources

Peg Legs Lost Gold

“Back in the 1960s. Desert Magazine published a letter by a person who claimed to have found Peg Legs Lost Gold or treasure in the Colorado Desert. Interesting, was the fact that the writer included some sample gold nuggets with his letters. The nuggets were coated with a black coating that seemed to match the original legend, Numerous letters were exchanged between the “finder”, the “doubters”, and “interested others”. Some even though is was a second mine owned by the Peralta Family with the Lost Dutchman in Arizona.”

A folder of Desert Magazine Articles about Peg Legs Lost Treasure given to me by my dad.
A folder of Desert Magazine Articles about Peg Legs Lost Treasure given to me by my dad.

This message was scribbled by my dad, on the outside of a manilla folder, which contained numerous articles from Desert Magazine on the Lost Treasure of Peg Leg Smith. At the time of Publication in 1965, my dad loved exploring the desert southwest in his International Scout, and like many others, collect magazine articles on places to explore. This is how I learned about the Lost Peg Leg Treasure.

Peg Leg Smith
(1801–1866)

Thomas L. Smith, widely known as “Peg Leg” Smith, was an American mountain man, trapper, explorer, and storyteller who became a legendary figure of the American West. Born in Crab Orchard, Kentucky, in 1801, Smith’s life was characterized by adventure, resilience, and a penchant for tall tales, which helped cement his place in frontier folklore.

Early Life and Career

Little is known about Smith’s early years, but by his late teens, he had ventured westward, drawn by the opportunities of the burgeoning fur trade. He joined trapping expeditions in the Rocky Mountains and quickly developed a reputation as a skilled trapper and resourceful frontiersman. However, his life took a dramatic turn when, during an expedition, he lost part of his leg in a skirmish with Native Americans or possibly from an infection after an accident (accounts vary). Undeterred, Smith fashioned a wooden prosthetic leg, earning him the nickname “Peg Leg.”

Gold and Storytelling

A Map of Henry E. W. Wilsons search area published in Desert Magazine
A Map of Henry E. W. Wilsons search area published in Desert Magazine

In the 1830s and 1840s, Smith shifted his focus from trapping to guiding and trading with Native American tribes. By the 1850s, he had gained notoriety for his tales of adventure and his claims of discovering a rich gold deposit in Southern California’s Colorado Desert. According to his story, Smith stumbled upon a series of gold-laden black rocks while traveling through the region. Unable to carry much, he filled his bandana with the gold nuggets which were laying on the ground. He marked the location mentally, intending to return later. Despite numerous attempts by others to find this so-called “Peg Leg Mine,” its exact location remains one of the enduring mysteries of the West.

Smith capitalized on his fame by entertaining travelers and settlers with his colorful storytelling, often exaggerating or inventing details to captivate his audience. He operated trading posts and was known for his charisma and humor, though some viewed him as a conman who exploited the gullibility of gold-seekers.

Later Years and Death

As the West grew more settled, Smith’s lifestyle became increasingly precarious. He spent his later years wandering between towns and trading posts, regaling listeners with his tales and living off their generosity. He died in 1866 near San Bernardino, California, reportedly from complications related to his leg or alcoholism.

Peg Leg Smith is remembered as a symbol of the adventurous and often eccentric spirit of the Old West. His name remains associated with the fabled Lost Peg Leg Mine, which continues to intrigue treasure hunters and historians. Annual events and gatherings, such as the Peg Leg Smith Liars’ Contest held in Borrego Springs, California, celebrate his legacy as one of the West’s most colorful characters.

Smith’s life, blending fact and fiction, captures the essence of a time when the American frontier was a land of boundless opportunity, danger, and mystery.

Desert Magazine March 1965

Peg Legs Lost Gold, Desert Magazine, March 1965
Peg Legs Lost Gold, Desert Magazine, March 1965

In March, 1965, Desert Magazine published a letter from one of their subscribers, who claimed to have found Peg Legs Lost Gold. To add some gravitas to the claim, the author included several gold nuggets tarnished with a dark desert varnish, which matches the claims for Peg Leg Smith from over one hundred and thirty years prior.

Dear Desert Editor:

Although the enclosed story has no byline, I believe it and the photographs will be of interest to you. After you have read the story, you will understand why the reasons for my remaining anonymous are too obvious to enumerate.

You have my full permission to publish the story and this letter if you wish. They may be of minor interest to the readers of Desert Magazine.

More important, I am also enclosing two of the Peg Leg’s nuggets. One is still black, exactly as found, and the other has had the black copper oxides removed by the process mentioned in the story and is now native “gold” in color. You will have these nuggets to show one and all who have doubted the story of Peg Leg’s black nuggets. You may keep them with my compliments for Desert Magazine’s collection of desert artifacts, in this case you can start a new collection of items from lost mines that have been found.

Very sincerely yours,

The Man Who Found
Peg Leg’s Black Gold

The author of the article mentions that he spent six days out at the site of the Lost Gold and removed about 720 ounces of nuggets. He claimed that all of the easy gold was removed by him and that he was sure other gold existed below the reach of his metal detectors.

For the next ten years articles and letters are published in Desert Magazine debating the claim along with reassertions of his claims.

No matter what your thoughts are on the story of Peg Legs Lost Treasure, it is without a doubt, that the lure of blacked gold nuggets just laying about on the desert floor near the Salton Sea is without doubt.

References

Millers Nevada

The Millers Nevada State Historic Marker 101 can be found at a rest area along Highway 6, situated a few miles to the west of Tonopah, within Esmeralda County, Nevada. Historically, Millers served as both a train station and a watering point for the Tonopah and Goldfield Railroad, playing a significant role in the region’s transportation network.

Millers Nevada about 1905 - Mrs. Harry Mighels Collection
Millers Nevada about 1905 – Mrs. Harry Mighels Collection

Following a mining boom in Tonopah in 1901 and construction of the Tonopah and Goldfield Railroad, Millers was first founded in 1904 as a station and watering stop.  The name honored Charles R. Miller, a director of the railroad and former governor of Delaware.  He also served as vice-president of the Tonopah Mining Company and instrumental in having its 100-stamp cyanide mill built here in 1906. 

Charles R. Miller - Millers Nevada State Historic Marker 101
Charles R. Miller

In 1901, a mining boom occurred in Tonopah, leading to the establishment of the Tonopah and Goldfield Railroad. This development set the stage for the founding of Millers in 1904, which began as a station and watering stop. The name “Millers” was chosen to honour Charles R. Miller, who was a director of the railroad and had previously served as the governor of Delaware. Additionally, he held the position of vice-president of the Tonopah Mining Company and played a crucial role in the construction of its 100-stamp cyanide mill, which was built in the area in 1906.

The year 1907 saw a significant boom for the town, attributed to the establishment of the Tonopah and Goldfield Railroad’s repair shops and another substantial mill. By 1910, the population of Millers had risen to 274, and the town featured a business district along with a post office. Despite its relatively small size, Millers was proud of its modest business district and claimed to have a large park that included a baseball diamond and a grandstand for spectators.

However, by 1911, the railroad shops and the mill relocated, marking the beginning of a decline for Millers. The town ultimately became abandoned in 1947 when the railroad ceased operations.

Nevada State Historic Marker Text

As a result of mining excitement at Tonopah in 1901 and subsequent construction of the Tonopah and Goldfield Railroad, Millers was first founded in 1904 as a station and watering stop on that line.  The name honored Charles R. Miller, a director of the railroad and former governor of Delaware.  He was also vice-president of the Tonopah Mining Company and was instrumental in having its 100-stamp cyanide mill built here in 1906.  In 1907, the town boomed with the construction of the T. & G. R.R.’s repair shops and another large mill.  The population grew to 274 in 1910, when the town boasted a business district and post office.  By 1911, the railroad shops and a mill had been moved away, and Millers began to decline.  It was abandoned in 1947 when the railroad went out of business.

STATE HISTORICAL MARKER No. 101
STATE HISTORIC PRESERVATION OFFICE
AMERICAN LEGION, NEVADA DEPT.

Town Summary

NameMillers
LocationEsmeralda County, Nevada
Nevada State Historic Marker101
Latitude, Longitude38.1402, -117.4539
Elevation4,800 Feet
GNIS856083
Population275
Post Office1906 –

References

Eureka Nevada

Eureka, Nevada, a picturesque town nestled within the vast and rugged landscape of the American West, has a rich and colorful history that dates back to the mid-19th century. Located in Eureka County, this once-thriving mining town was born from the silver boom of the late 19th century, and its history is intertwined with the rise and fall of the mining industry that defined the region.

Eureka Nevada
Eureka Nevada

Eureka’s history can be traced back to 1864 when silver ore was discovered in the nearby Ruby Mountains. This discovery ignited a rush of prospectors and miners to the area, hoping to strike it rich. The town itself was officially founded in 1869, and it was named after the Greek word “eureka,” which means “I have found it,” reflecting the optimism and excitement of the time.

The silver boom in Eureka was propelled by the rich deposits of silver and other precious metals found in the area. The Eureka Mining District became one of the most productive silver mining regions in the United States, attracting thousands of fortune seekers from all over the country. The district’s mines, including the Ruby Hill Mine and the Eureka and Palisade Mine, produced millions of dollars worth of silver, lead, and gold.

As silver mining operations expanded, Eureka flourished. The town quickly developed into a thriving community with a population that swelled to over 9,000 residents at its peak. Eureka boasted a robust economy, with numerous businesses, saloons, and even an opera house. The town also became known for its well-maintained streets, impressive buildings, and a sense of cultural refinement uncommon in many frontier towns.

Eureka was not just a mining town; it was also a hub of innovation. The Eureka and Palisade Railroad, completed in 1875, connected the town to the Central Pacific Railroad hub in nearby Palisade, Nevada. The rail connection facilitated the transport of ore and supplies. The town also had its own newspaper, the Eureka Sentinel, which documented the local events and served as a source of news for the region.

Historic American Buildings Survey, Nevada Professional and Service Projects June 1940 - Eureka Sentinel Building, Monroe Street, Eureka, Eureka County
Historic American Buildings Survey, Nevada Professional and Service Projects June 1940 – Eureka Sentinel Building, Monroe Street, Eureka, Eureka County

The late 19th century brought both prosperity and challenges to Eureka. The Silver Panic of 1893, combined with falling silver prices, led to a significant economic downturn in the region. Many mines closed, and the population dwindled as miners left in search of new opportunities. However, some mining operations persisted, and Eureka continued to be a center of commerce and trade.

Nevada State Historic Marker 11 Text

Nevada State Historical Markers identify significant places of interest in Nevada’s history. The Nevada State Legislature started the program in 1967 to bring the state’s heritage to the public’s attention with on-site markers. These roadside markers bring attention to the places, people, and events that make up Nevada’s heritage. They are as diverse as the counties they are located within and range from the typical mining boom and bust town to the largest and most accessible petroglyph sites in Northern Nevada Budget cuts to the program caused the program to become dormant in 2009. Many of the markers are lost or damaged.

“Eureka!” a miner is said to have exclaimed in September, 1864, when the discovery of rich ore was made here–and thus the town was named. Eureka soon developed the first important lead-silver deposits in the nation and during the furious boom of the 80’s had 16 smelters, over 100 saloons, a population of 10,000 and a railroad, the colorful Eureka and Palisade that connected with the main line 90 miles to the north.

Production began to fall off in 1883 and by 1891 the smelters closed, their sites marked by the huge slag dumps seen at both ends of Main Street.

Nevada State Historic Marker 11 Trail Map

Town Summary

NameEureka, Nevada
LocationEureka County, Nevada
Latitude, Longitude39.5003, -115.9582
Nevada State Historic Marker11

References