Powell of the Colorado Nevada State Historic Marker 37

Powell of the Colorado Nevada State Historic Marker 37 is a marker commemorating the 1869 exploration of the Grand Canyon by Major John Wesley Powell. The historic landmark is located overlooking Lake Mead, Nevada.

Powell of the Colorado Nevada State Historic Marker 37- The 1871 Powell Expedition preparing to depart Green River.  Photo NPS
The 1871 Powell Expedition preparing to depart Green River. Photo NPS

After 1867, Powell led a series of expeditions into the Rocky Mountain, Green River and Colorado rivers. In 1869, he set out to explore the Colorado River and the Grand Canyon as part of several trips. Along with ten men and equipped with four boats and food for 10 months, Powell set out from Green River, Wyoming, on May 24. Passing through dangerous rapids, the group passed down the Green River to its confluence with the Colorado River (then also known as the Grand River upriver from the junction), near present-day Moab, Utah, and completed the journey on August 30, 1869.

Powell retraced part of the 1869 route in 1871–72 with another expedition that traveled to the Colorado River from Green River, Wyoming to Kanab Creek in the Grand Canyon. Powell used three photographers on this expedition; Elias Olcott Beaman, James Fennemore, and John K. Hillers, who documented the journey.

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. Budget cuts to the program caused the program to become dormant in 2009. Many of the markers are lost of damaged.

Nevada State Historic Marker Text

On August 30, 1869, Major John Wesley Powell landed at the mouth of the Virgin River, about 12 miles south of here, thus ending the first boat expedition through the Grand Canyon of the Colorado River.

The expedition left Green River City, Wyoming Territory, on May 24, 1869. For three months Powell and his men endured danger and hunger to explore, survey and study the geology of the canyons along the Green and Colorado Rivers.

Exhausted and near starvation, the Powell party was warmly greeted and fed by the hardy Mormon pioneers of St. Thomas, a small farm settlement about 11 miles north of here.

The original sites of St. Thomas and the junction of the Virgin and Colorado Rivers are now beneath the waters of Lake Mead.

This, and later Powell surveys, stimulated great interest in the water conservation problems of the Southwest.

Marker Summary

Nevada State Historic Marker 37
NamePowell on the Colorado
LocationLake Mead National Recreation Area, Nevada
Latitude, Longitude36.3072, -114.4201

References

USGS

Tonopah Nevada

Tonopah, Nevada, known as the “Queen of the Silver Camps,” is a small unincorporated town in Nye County with a rich history tied to the discovery of silver in 1900. Located midway between Las Vegas and Reno at the junction of U.S. Routes 6 and 95, Tonopah’s story is one of boom and bust, shaped by its mining heritage, cultural developments, and resilience. This report explores the town’s origins, its rise as a mining hub, significant historical events, and its modern identity as a historical and tourism destination.

Photograph of a panoramic view of the Tonopah Mining Park (now a historic site) and Mount Butler in the distance, Tonopah, Nevada, ca.1904. -  - Pierce, C.C. (Charles C.), 1861-1946
Photograph of a panoramic view of the Tonopah Mining Park (now a historic site) and Mount Butler in the distance, Tonopah, Nevada, ca.1904. – – Pierce, C.C. (Charles C.), 1861-1946

Origins and Founding (Pre-1900)

The area that became Tonopah was originally inhabited by Native American tribes, including the Western Shoshone and Northern Paiute, who referred to the region as “Tonampaa” or a similar term meaning “hidden spring” or “greasewood water” in their languages. The name likely referenced a small spring in the nearby San Antonio Mountains, a vital water source in the arid high desert. Before 1900, the region saw sparse activity, primarily from ranchers and prospectors, with no permanent settlements.

The Silver Boom (1900–1920)

Discovery of Silver

Mizpah Hotel, Tonopah Nevada. Photo by James L Rathbun
Mizpah Hotel, Tonopah Nevada. Photo by James L Rathbun

Tonopah’s history transformed on May 19, 1900, when Jim Butler, a rancher and part-time prospector, reportedly stumbled upon silver-rich ore. According to local legend, Butler’s burro wandered off during the night, and while retrieving it near a rock outcropping, he noticed an unusually heavy rock that turned out to be laden with silver. A more plausible account suggests Butler’s wife, Belle, a local Paiute woman, guided him to an area long known by indigenous peoples for its surface minerals. Assay results revealed the ore’s value, with some samples worth up to $600 per ton, primarily in silver but also containing gold.

Butler’s discovery sparked a mining rush. He initially leased claims to miners, but by July 1901, he and his partners sold their claims to Philadelphia capitalists who formed the Tonopah Mining Company. This marked the beginning of large-scale mining operations.

Growth of the Town

By January 1901, the camp, initially called Butler City, had 40 residents. The population grew rapidly, reaching 250 by spring and 650 by the end of the year. Infrastructure developed quickly:

  • March 24, 1901: The first stagecoach arrived from Sodaville, signaling improved access.
  • April 10, 1901: A post office opened under the name Butler, renaming to Tonopah in 1905.
  • June 15, 1901: The Tonopah Bonanza newspaper began publication, documenting the town’s growth.
  • 1902: The population surpassed 3,000, with 32 saloons, two newspapers, two dancehalls, and two churches.

The town became a bustling hub, producing nearly $750,000 in gold and silver in 1901 alone. By 1905, Tonopah replaced Belmont as Nye County’s seat, reflecting its economic importance.

Infrastructure and Economy

The silver boom necessitated infrastructure to support mining:

  • Railroads: The Tonopah and Goldfield Railroad, completed in 1905, connected Tonopah to broader markets, facilitating ore transport. Other lines, like the Las Vegas and Tonopah Railroad, followed.
  • Mizpah Hotel: Built between 1905 and 1908, the five-story Mizpah Hotel was the tallest building in Nevada at the time, boasting steam heat, electric lights, and one of the state’s first elevators. It became a social and cultural center.
  • Mills and Power: Huge mills processed ore, and coal-powered stamp mills supported mining operations.

The mines produced millions in silver and gold, with an estimated $150 million extracted over the boom years. Tonopah’s wealth attracted figures like George Wingfield, who amassed a fortune through mining investments, and Tasker Oddie, a future Nevada governor who played a key role in assaying Butler’s samples.

Social and Cultural Developments

Tonopah’s diverse population included miners, entrepreneurs, and immigrants. However, racial tensions surfaced:

  • 1903 Anti-Chinese Riot: Miners rioted against Chinese workers, reflecting broader anti-Asian sentiment in the West. Despite eyewitness accounts, rioters were acquitted, and China imposed a brief boycott of U.S. goods in response.
  • Community Growth: Schools, churches, and social clubs emerged, fostering a sense of community. Notable residents included Vail M. Pittman, later Nevada’s 19th governor, and Mayme Schweble, one of Tonopah’s first female residents and a gold prospector.

Decline and Challenges (1920–1940)

By the 1920s, the richest ore deposits were depleted, and mining costs rose due to labor shortages and declining ore quality. The Great Depression further strained the economy, and by 1947, all major mines had closed, along with the local railroad. Tonopah’s population dwindled, and the town faced economic hardship.

Revival and Modern Era (1940–Present)

Military and Testing

Tonopah’s fortunes shifted with military developments:

  • 1942: The U.S. Army established the Tonopah Army Air Force Base, providing jobs and boosting the economy until its closure in 1948.
  • 1952: The Tonopah Test Range and Nevada Test Site, located south of town, were established for nuclear testing, offering stable employment.

Tourism and Preservation

Since the late 20th century, Tonopah has embraced its history to attract tourists:

  • Tonopah Historic Mining Park: A 100-acre outdoor museum preserves mine buildings, headframes, and equipment, offering insights into the town’s mining past.
  • Central Nevada Museum: Showcases artifacts and stories from Tonopah’s boom years.
  • Mizpah Hotel: Renovated in 2011, it remains a draw for visitors intrigued by its history and reputed hauntings, including the “Lady in Red.”
  • Clown Motel: Adjacent to the Old Tonopah Cemetery, this quirky, reportedly haunted motel has gained fame through media like Ghost Adventures.

The Old Tonopah Cemetery, with graves from the 1905 “Tonopah Plague” and the 1911 Belmont Mine Fire, offers a poignant look at the town’s hardships. Annual festivities, like those commemorating Jim Butler’s discovery, celebrate Tonopah’s legacy.

Contemporary Tonopah

As of the 2010 census, Tonopah had 2,478 residents. Tourism and mining remain key industries, with new developments like a planned Holiday Inn Express and a travel plaza signaling growth. The town’s high elevation (over 6,000 feet) and clear skies make it a prime stargazing destination, earning it recognition as one of the best places in the U.S. for night sky viewing. A 2020 magnitude 6.5 earthquake, the largest in Nevada since 1954, struck 35 miles west of Tonopah, underscoring the region’s geological activity, though no injuries were reported.

Conclusion

Tonopah’s history reflects the classic arc of a Western mining town: a meteoric rise fueled by silver, a decline as resources waned, and a reinvention through tourism and historical preservation. From Jim Butler’s serendipitous discovery to the enduring allure of its haunted landmarks, Tonopah embodies the resilience and individuality of Nevada’s desert communities. Its legacy as a silver empire continues to captivate visitors, ensuring that the “town that wouldn’t die” remains a vibrant piece of American history.

Nevada State Historic Marker 15

Jim Butler, District Attorney of Nye County, is credited with the turn-of-century discovery, which ended a twenty-year slump in Nevada’s economy.  American Indians originally used the name Tonopah for a small spring in the nearby San Antonio Mountains, long before Butler camped in this area in May 1900.  Tonopah became the richest silver producer in the nation and replaced Belmont as the Nye County county seat in 1905.  The mines spawned a railroad, several huge mills, and a bustling population of approximately 10,000.

The mines faltered in the 1920s, but Tonopah achieved long-lasting fame because of the prominent financial and political leaders it produced.  Many camps and communities followed in the wake of Tonopah’s boom, most of which have become ghost towns.

NEVADA CENTENNIAL MARKER No. 15

STATE HISTORIC PRESERVATION OFFICE

Tonopah Marker Summary

Nevada State Histori Marker15
NameTonopah
LocationNye County, Nevada
Latitude, Longitude38.0670, -117.2291

Articles Related to Tonopah

John S Cook overseeing bars of gold bullion. Photo Goldfield Historical Society

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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.…
Mizpah Hotel, Tonopah Nevada. Photo by James L Rathbun

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More details Tonopah & Tidewater #1 was a Baldwin 4-6-0 steam locomotive, originally built for the Wisconsin and Michigan Railroad, later going to the Randsburg Railway on the Santa Fe as their #1 (later #260). Went to the T&T in 1904 and used in passenger and shunting service. It was scrapped in 1941, and the bell was saved by the Railway & Locomotive Historical Society at Pomona, CA.

Tonopah and Tidewater Railroad

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References

Barker Ranch

Thomason/Barker Ranch is a five-acre property within Death Valley National Park. This historic site is located off of Goler Wash in the southern Panamint Range in the southwestern portion of the park. Barker Ranch is commonly referenced as being the location that mass murderer Charles Manson was arrested after the Tate – La Bianca killings in 1969.

This image, taken circa 1940, shows the main residence, workshop, retaining walls, and ornamental vegetation. Note the windmill located behind the workshop. View north (DEVA collection) - NPS
This image, taken circa 1940, shows the main residence, workshop, retaining walls, and ornamental vegetation. Note the windmill located behind the workshop. View north (DEVA collection) – NPS

Thomason Era (1937 – 1956)

In 1937, Blouch Thomason, a retired Los Angeles County detective, recorded three quartz lode mining claims named
“Tommy Group,” “Tommy Group No. 2,” and “Tommy Group No. 3” and a mill site located. The original structures consisting of three tent shelters is built in 1939.

In 1940, major improvements are made to the land. Thomason built the main ranch house, windmill, workshop, chicken coop, corral, fences, entry road, fences, water conveyance system, and planted ornamental and fruit-bearing vegetation. He also built a single rock building for “shop and storage” at the ranch. Later, a guestroom and garage are added to the shop. The Thomas ranch is inhabited full time by Blouch and Helen Thomason. They ceased mining operations due to poor yield

In 1950, Blouch passes away while visiting relatives in the Trinity Alps. Following his death, Helen moves away from the ranch, but still maintained the property as a vacation retreat.

Barker Era ( 1956 – 1971 )

James and Arlene Barker, from Oklahoma, purchased the Thomason Ranch, in 1955. In 1956, the Barkers recorded the “Chespa Mill Site” with the Inyo County Recorder’s Office. The Barkers built a 5,000 gallon water reservoir ( swimming pool ) and a 14 foot by 20 foot bunkhouse, sometime during 1957.

In 1968, Arlene Barker gave Charles Manson permission to occupy the Ranch in exchange for a Beach Boys Gold Album. After Manson’s arrest, the Barkers continued to maintain the property. In 1971, the Barkers ceased filing mining reports with the Bureau of Land Management (BLM) on the family’s mining activity. The land (and improvements) then reverted to government control. In 1976, the ranch became part of the California Desert Conservation Area.

In 1994, Barker Ranch is incorporated into Death Valley National Park.

Manson Era ( 1968 – 1969 )

Barker Ranch - The building complex was heavily vegetated with trees, with a sparsely planted understory. Note the Manson bus in the left hand side of the image. View northwest, 1969 (DEVA collection). - NPS
Barker Ranch – The building complex was heavily vegetated with trees, with a sparsely planted understory. Note the Manson bus in the left hand side of the image. View northwest, 1969 (DEVA collection). – NPS

The Thomason / Barker Ranch history was stained forever, in October 1968, when Charles Manson obtained permission from Arlene Barker to occupy the ranch. Paul Watkins, a Manson Family Member, stated the Mason agreed to watch over the place in exchange for maintenance and work on the Ranch. Manson and his band of opted to stay and Barker Ranch over the Myers Ranch which is located about .5 miles away. A total of 19 Manson followers performed a phased relocation to the property over time. Manson family members are known to drive to Los Angeles or Las Vegas to bring in supplies.

On October 10 and 12, 1969, CHP officer Jim Pursell and the INYO Sheriffs Department along with California Highway Patrol and NPS Rangers raided Barker Ranch. Actually, they raided the area around Barker Ranch. A raid is executed in search of vandals of earth moving equipment which repaired damage to the playa in Racetrack Valley. Over the coarse to several days, the task forced hunted down Family members who were scattered about the area. The diminutive Manson is arrested when found hiding under the sink in the bathroom at Barker Ranch.

To this day, Barker Ranch is the subject of investigation into the crimes of Charles Manson.

Barker Ranch Map

NPS

Barker Ranch was built by “recreational ranchers” who moved to the desert to enjoy the solitude and simplicity of living far from civilization. Bluch and Helen Thomason moved into the area the the late 1930s to try their hand at gold mining. Around 1940, the constructed a small stone cabin and outbuilding, with electricity. provided by a wind mill and generator, and drinking water from a nearby spring

In 1955, the ranch was sold to Jim and Arlene Barker, who moved to the desert from Oklahoma. To accommodate their family gatherings, the Barkers enlarged the house and constructed more building.

The ranch became infamous when Charles Manson and members of the “Manson Family” were captured at the site. Family members attracted the attention of local law enforcement when they were suspected to burning a piece of road maintenance equipment. Detectives later discovered that the vandalism suspects were responsible for a series of murders in the Los Angeles Area.

Barker Ranch became part of Death Valley National Park in 1994. Tragically, the main house and workshop were destroyed by an accidental fire in May 2009.

National Park Service – Barker Ranch

Sources

Piper’s Opera House – Nevada State Historic Marker

Piper’s Opera House is Nevada State Historic Marker #235 and is located in Virginia City, Storey County Nevada. This building, the most significant vintage theatre in the West, was erected by John Piper in 1885.  Through business acumen and a political career, Piper would become one of the richest men in 1870s Virginia City. 

Piper sat on the City Council in 1865 and mayor of Virginia City in 1867. In 1874, Piper represented Storey County in the Nevada Senate. In an effort to raise money for Storey County to pay for railroad bonds, Piper managed to get the state senate to unanimously pass a bill that became law, removing the taxation limits on bullion in the county

The opera house is the third in a succession of theatres which he operated on the Comstock. The theater boasted original scenery, raked stage, and elegant proscenium boxes, is a remarkable survivor of a colorful era in American theatrical history.  Many popular nineteenth-century touring stars and concert artists appeared here.

Piper’s Opera House - NSHM #236, one of the largest venues for theater and performance on the Comstock. -  - University of California, Davis. Dept. of Special Collections.
Piper’s Opera House, one of the largest venues for theater and performance on the Comstock. – – University of California, Davis. Dept. of Special Collections.

House Nevada State Historic Marker Text

This building, the most significant vintage theatre in the West, was erected by John Piper in 1885.  Third in a succession of theatres which he operated on the Comstock, Piper’s Opera House, with its original scenery, raked stage, and elegant proscenium boxes, is a remarkable survivor of a colorful era in American theatrical history.  Many popular nineteenth-century touring stars and concert artists appeared here.

STATE HISTORICAL MARKER No. 236
DIVISION OF HISTORIC PRESERVATION AND ARCHEOLOGY
LOUISE Z. DRIGGS

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. Budget cuts to the program caused the program to become dormant in 2009. Many of the markers are lost of damaged.

Nevada State Historic Marker Summary

Nevada State Historic Marker236
NamePiper’s Opera House
LocationVirginia City, Storey County, Nevada
Latitude, Longitude39.3109, -119.6502

References

African Americans and the Boston Saloon – Nevada State Historic Marker

William A G Brown - Owner of the Boston Saloon, Virginia City, Nevada
William A G Brown – Owner of the Boston Saloon, Virginia City, Nevada

African Americans and the Boston Saloon – NSHM #266 is a Nevada State Historic Marker Located in Virginia City, Storey County, Nevada. Virginia City has eight Nevada State Historic Markers and a wonderful location to visit and dive deep into history.

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. Budget cuts to the program caused the program to become dormant in 2009. Many of the markers are lost of damaged.

William A G Brown, a freeman, moved to Nevada and started the Boston Saloon. The Boston Saloon was located at the intersection of D and Union Streets . The Virginia City newspaper, the Territorial Enterprise called the saloon a “popular resort for many of the colored population”

The saloon building is lost the great fire of 1875. The site of the saloon was subject of an archeological excavation in the year 2000.

NSHM #266 Text

Between 1866 and 1875, a remarkable business thrived in Virginia City.  Free-born William A.G. Brown operated the Boston Saloon, serving Virginia City’s African Americans.  Archaeologists have revealed that Brown offered his customers finely prepared meals with the best cuts of meat.  Shortly after Brown sold his business, the great fire of 1875 swept through town and destroyed the building.

There were rarely more than one hundred African Americans living in Virginia City during its height in the 1860s, but they played varied and important roles in the community. Some African Americans pursued work as laborers, porters, and barbers.  Others became affluent business owners, and a prominent doctor won widespread respect.  By the 1870’s, African American children attended integrated schools. However, the decline of mining by 1880 sent many Nevadans, including African Americans, elsewhere. When mining in the state revived in the early 1900s, a shift at the federal, state, and local levels that implemented segregation via law or practice kept most African American families from returning to communities like Virginia City.

The site of the Boston Saloon is located uphill and to the left of this location at the corner of Union and D Streets now occupied by the Bucket of Blood Saloon parking lot.

STATE HISTORIC PRESERVATION OFFICE
DON MCBRIDE AND THE BUCKET OF BLOOD SALOON
RENO-SPARKS BRANCH OF THE NAACP, UNIT #1112
STATE HISTORICAL MARKER No. 266

Nevada State History Marker Summary

Nevada State Historic Marker266
NameAfrican Americans and the Boston Saloon
LocationVirginia City, Storey County, Nevada
Latitude, Longitude39.3105, -119.6494

References