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Category: Ghost Towns
Ghost towns are fun places to explore and commonly great destinations for a 4×4 trip.
Tip Top Arizona
Founded in 1876, Tip Top Arizona is a old Silver Mining town and ghost town located in Yavapai County, Arizona. The town site is located west of Black Canyon City, in the southern foothills of the Bradshaw Mountains.
In the late 1870s, gold and silver were discovered in the Bradshaw Mountains, attracting prospectors and miners seeking their fortune. In 1876, the Tip Top Mining District was established by two men, Jack Moore and Bill Corning, and the town of Tip Top sprung up around it. Initially, nearby Gillett served as the milling town.
The district quickly gained a reputation for its rich ore deposits and attracted significant investment and development. The first mining claims were staked, and a stamp mill was constructed to process the ores. With the arrival of the railroad in nearby Phoenix, Tip Top saw an influx of miners, merchants, and entrepreneurs, leading to its rapid growth. A Post Office is established on August 12, 1880
During the boom times, Tip Top boasted six saloons, a brewery, two restaurants, a Chinese laundry, a feed yard, a blacksmith shop, a shoe store, and many residences. The Post Office is closed February 14, 1895.
During is heyday, the silver mines of Tip Top produced over $4,000,000 from its ore deposits.
Town Summary
| Name | Tip Top, Arizona |
| Location | Yavapai County, Arizona |
| Latitude, Longitude | 34.0508662, -112.2468296 |
| Elevation | 765 meters / 2510 feet |
| GNIS | 1669455 |
| Population | 1200 |
| Post Office | August 12, 1880 – February 14, 1895 |
Trail Map
According to Dangerous Roads the trail into Tip Top Arizona is closed and and the area is undergoing land changes. Other resources state that the road was closed in 2009.
References
Hamilton Nevada
Hamilton is a small ghost town located in White Pine County, Nevada, in the western United States. Despite its current state, the town has a rich and fascinating history. Hamilton, originally known as “Cave City,” was established in 1868 by prospectors searching for silver in the surrounding mountains. The town was renamed Hamilton in honor of a prominent local businessman, W. A. Hamilton, who helped finance the development of the area.
During its peak, Hamilton was a bustling town with a population of over 2,000 people. The town had several hotels, saloons, stores, and a post office. It also had a school, a church, and a theater, which hosted traveling shows and performances. The town’s main industry was mining, and several mines operated in the area, including the Hamilton, Treasure City, and Ward mines.
In the late 19th century, Hamilton was a prosperous town, and its residents enjoyed a good quality of life. However, in the early 20th century, the town began to decline as the mines ran out of ore and the price of silver fell. Many of the town’s residents left in search of better opportunities, and the town’s population dwindled.
During World War II, Hamilton briefly experienced a resurgence as the demand for minerals increased. The town’s mines were reopened, and new mining techniques were introduced. However, after the war, the demand for minerals declined, and the mines were once again closed.
By the 1950s, Hamilton was virtually abandoned, and most of its buildings had fallen into disrepair. However, the town’s history and architecture attracted the attention of preservationists, and efforts were made to restore some of the buildings. In 1961, the Hamilton Ghost Town was established, and the remaining buildings were preserved as a tourist attraction.
Today, Hamilton is a popular destination for tourists interested in Nevada’s mining history. Visitors can explore the town’s preserved buildings, including the schoolhouse, the jail, and the saloon. The town’s cemetery, which dates back to the late 19th century, is also a popular attraction.
In recent years, Hamilton has been the subject of several documentaries and books, which have helped to raise awareness of its history. The town’s abandoned buildings and desolate surroundings provide a glimpse into Nevada’s past and remind us of the hardships and challenges faced by those who settled and worked in the area.
Hamilton, Nevada, may be a ghost town today, but its history and legacy live on. The town’s story is a reminder of the boom-and-bust cycles that have characterized Nevada’s mining industry and the resilience of the people who lived and worked in the area. Hamilton is a testament to the human spirit and a valuable piece of Nevada’s history that should be preserved and celebrated for generations to come.
Hamilton Nevada Town Summary
| Name | Hamilton Nevada |
| Location | White Pine county, Nevada |
| Latitude, Longitude | 39.2529, -115.4864 |
| GNIS | 859930 |
| Elevation | 2456 meters / 8058 feet |
| Newspaper | Inland Empire Mar 27, 1869 – Apr 10, 1870; Oct 4 – Nov 9, 1870 |
| Nevada State Historic Marker No | 53 |
| Nevada State Historic Marker Lat/Long | 39.3535, -115.3946 |
Nevada State Historic Marker Text
Hamilton Nevada is Nevada State Historic Marker number fifty three.
The mines of the White Pine district were first established in 1865. Between 1868 and 1875, they supported many thriving towns including Hamilton, Eberhardt, Treasure City, and Shermantown. These communities, now all ghost towns, are clustered eleven miles south of this point.
Hamilton and its neighbors thrived as a result of large-scale silver discoveries in 1868. Experiencing one of the most intense, but shortest-lived silver stampedes ever recorded, the years 1868-1869 saw some 10,000 people living in huts and caves on Treasure Hill at Mount Hamilton, at an elevation of 8,000 to 10,500 feet above sea level.
Hamilton was incorporated in 1869 and became the first county seat of White Pine County that same year. It was disincorporated in 1875. In this brief span of time, a full-sized town came into bloom with a main street and all the usual businesses. Mine brick courthouse was constructed in 1870.
On June 27, 1873, the main portion of the town was destroyed by fire. The town never fully recovered. In 1885, another fire burned the courthouse and caused the removal of the White Pine County seat to Ely.
STATE HISTORICAL MARKER No. 53
STATE HISTORIC PRESERVATION OFFICE
WHITE PINE PUBLIC MUSEUM INC.
Trail Map
References
Gold Hill Nevada
Gold Hill, Nevada is a small unincorporated community located in Storey County, Nevada, United States. It is situated on the eastern side of the Virginia Range, about 10 miles south of Reno. The history of Gold Hill dates back to the early 1850s when gold was discovered in the area.
The discovery of gold in Gold Hill is credited to two miners, Peter O’Riley and Patrick McLaughlin, who were working on the Comstock Lode. In 1859, O’Riley and McLaughlin found a rich vein of gold near the top of a hill. They named the hill Gold Hill and the area soon became a booming mining town.
By 1860, the population of Gold Hill had grown to over 1,000 people. The town had several saloons, a hotel, a newspaper, and a variety of other businesses. The mining companies in the area were also thriving, with the largest, the Consolidated Virginia and California Mine, producing millions of dollars worth of gold and silver.
Gold Hill was a rough and rowdy town, with gambling, drinking, and fighting being common occurrences. However, the town also had a more cultured side, with several theatrical performances and lectures taking place in the local opera house.
In 1875, tragedy struck Gold Hill when a fire destroyed much of the town. Despite the setback, the mining companies continued to operate and the town slowly began to rebuild.
Over time, the mining industry in the area declined and many of the mines were shut down. However, Gold Hill remained a small community and its historic buildings and landmarks have been preserved.
Today, Gold Hill is a popular tourist destination, with many of its historic buildings, including the Gold Hill Hotel and the Gold Hill Brewery, still standing. Visitors can also take a tour of the nearby mining sites and learn about the history of mining in the area.
In conclusion, Gold Hill, Nevada has a rich and storied history that dates back to the early days of the mining industry in the American West. Despite facing setbacks and challenges over the years, Gold Hill has managed to preserve its unique character and charm, making it a must-visit destination for history buffs and tourists alike.
Gold Hill Nevada Trail Map
Gold Hill Nevada Summary
| Name | Gold Hill, Nevada |
| Location | Storey County, Nevada |
| Latitude, Longitude | 39.2931, -119.6566 |
| Elevation | 5,980 Feet |
| GNIS | |
| Population | 8,000 Max 95 Current |
| Newspapers | Gold Hill Daily News Oct 12, 1863 – Apr 1882 Daily Morning Message June 16, 1864 People’s Tribune (The) Jan – June 1870 |
| Post Office | Jul. 13, 1862 – Feb. 27, 1943 |
Ryan California
Ryan, California, is a small unincorporated community located in the southeastern region of San Bernardino County, California. The town is located in the Greenwater Range in Death Valley National Park. This community has a long and fascinating history, spanning from the early 1900s to the present day.
The Beginning of Ryan, California
Ryan, California, was founded in 1908 by the Ryan brothers, who were attracted to the area for its rich mineral deposits. The Ryan brothers were mining entrepreneurs who owned several mines throughout California, and they saw the potential for a profitable mining operation in the southeastern San Bernardino County.
The brothers built a mining camp and named it Ryan, after themselves. The camp quickly grew into a bustling town, with hundreds of workers and their families living in the area. The Ryan brothers continued to expand their mining operations, and the town grew to include a post office, school, and several businesses.
The Ryan brothers were successful in their mining endeavors, but their success was short-lived. In 1913, a devastating flood destroyed much of the town, including many of the mines. The Ryan brothers were unable to recover from the disaster and were forced to sell their mining claims.
The Rise of Borax
After the flood, the town of Ryan struggled to survive. However, a new opportunity arose when the Pacific Coast Borax Company began mining operations in the area. Borax was a mineral that was in high demand at the time, and the Pacific Coast Borax Company saw the potential for a profitable operation in the Ryan area.
The company built a railroad to transport the borax from the mines to processing plants in other parts of the country. The railroad was a major economic boost for the area, and many new workers came to the town to work in the borax mines.
The town of Ryan grew once again, and new businesses opened to serve the needs of the growing population. The Pacific Coast Borax Company also built a new school for the children of the workers and provided other amenities for the community.
During this time, Ryan was a bustling community with a population of over 500 people. The town had a hotel, a general store, a post office, and several other businesses. The Pacific Coast Borax Company was the main employer in the area, and the town depended on the success of the company.
The Decline of Borax
The town of Ryan continued to thrive for many years, but the decline of the borax industry led to a decline in the town’s population. The Pacific Coast Borax Company closed its operations in Ryan in the 1920s, and many of the workers moved away to find work elsewhere.
The town struggled to survive without the borax industry, and many of the businesses in the town closed their doors. The school closed, and the post office was shut down. By the 1930s, the town of Ryan was mostly abandoned, and only a few people remained.
The Revival of Ryan
In the 1950s, a new industry brought life back to the town of Ryan. The United States Air Force began using the area around Ryan for training exercises, and a new airfield was built in the area. The airfield brought new jobs to the area, and the town began to grow once again.
The Air Force base, known as the Ryan Airfield, was in operation from the 1950s to the 1980s. During this time, the town of Ryan saw a new era of growth and prosperity. New businesses opened, and the population of the town grew to over 500 people once again.
However, when the Air Force base closed in the 1980s, the town of Ryan once again faced a decline. Many of the businesses that had opened.
Tours
Ryan is closed to the general public for safety and historic preservation reasons, the Death Valley Conservancy offers occasional public tours. Tour participants can be selected by signing up on the Death Valley Conservancy’s website.
Town Summary
| Name | Ryan California |
| Also Known As | Colemanite, Devair, New Ryan |
| Location | Death Valley National Park, San Bernardino County, California |
| Latitude, Longitude | 36.3213, -116.6697 |
| Elevation | 928 meters / 3045 feet |
| GNIS | 1661348 |