Big Bear, CA
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Jessup Nevada – Churchill County Ghost Town
Jessup, Nevada, is a ghost town in Churchill County with a brief but vibrant history tied to the mining boom of the early 20th century. Founded in 1908 following the discovery of gold and silver, Jessup quickly grew into a bustling mining camp before declining just as rapidly. Today, it stands as a reminder of the transient nature of resource-based economies in the American West.
Founding and Early History (1908)
Jessup’s story began in February 1908 when Frank Jessup and L.H. Murray discovered gold in the Trinity Range, located in Churchill County, Nevada. The town, initially named White Canyon, was quickly renamed Jessup in honor of its discoverer. Within a month of its founding, the population swelled to over 300 people as prospectors and settlers flocked to the area, drawn by reports of rich ore. The Jessup Mining District was swiftly established, and by April 1908, lumber was arriving by the carload, with wooden structures rapidly replacing the tents that had initially housed the miners. The town’s early infrastructure included grocery stores, saloons, lumber yards, and a meat market, reflecting its sudden growth.
Growth and Peak (1908–1909)
At its peak in 1909, Jessup supported a population of approximately 300 residents and boasted a variety of businesses essential to a mining community. These included:
- Three grocery stores
- Two lumber yards
- Seven saloons
- A meat market
Averaging one saloon for every 43 citizens, this highlights the town’s rough-and-tumble character. The post office, opened in 1908, further solidified Jessup’s status as an official settlement. Transportation was facilitated by the Southern Pacific Railroad, which provided access by stopping at nearby White Plains, allowing for the shipment of supplies and high-grade ore. The mines in the Jessup Mining District were highly productive, with carloads of ore assaying over $100 per ton shipped by rail from Huxley. At least eight active mines operated in the area, contributing to the town’s economic vitality.
Mining Operations
The Jessup Mining District was the heart of the town’s economy, with gold and silver as the primary commodities. Key mines included:
- Gold King: The original discovery claim.
- Valley King Group: Produced about 1,000 ounces of gold in 1908–1909.
Ore was initially hauled using automobiles—a novel method at the time—before being shipped by rail. Despite the early success, the mines’ output began to wane by the end of 1909, signaling the start of Jessup’s decline. In later decades, intermittent mining activity continued, with lessees conducting minor work, but the district never regained its former prominence. More recently, exploration in the 1980s and 1990s identified additional gold and silver resources, though these efforts were separate from the original mining boom.
Decline and Abandonment (1909–1910s)
Jessup’s boom was short-lived, with the town’s fortunes declining rapidly after 1909. The depletion of easily accessible ore, a common fate for mining towns, led to a sharp decrease in population and economic activity. By the end of 1909, the initial excitement had faded, and the town was slowly abandoned. The post office eventually closed, though the exact date is not recorded. By the 1910s, Jessup was largely deserted, with only sporadic mining efforts in the following decades. The harsh desert environment likely contributed to the town’s inability to sustain itself once the mining boom ended. Today, only a few dilapidated wooden buildings and abandoned mines remain.
Current Status and Legacy
Jessup is now a ghost town, located a few miles north of Interstate 80 between Fernley and Lovelock. The surrounding area, part of the Trinity Range, is still used for ranching, and modern radio towers, including Nevada’s tallest, stand nearby. While the town itself is abandoned, its history is preserved through remnants of its mining past. The Jessup Gold Prospect, a more recent mining venture, highlights the area’s continued potential for resource extraction, though it remains distinct from the original 1908 boom. Jessup’s rise and fall exemplify the boom-and-bust cycles that shaped many Western mining towns.
Chronological Table of Key Events
| Year | Event | Details |
|---|---|---|
| 1908 | Discovery of gold and silver | Frank Jessup and L.H. Murray discover gold in the Trinity Range |
| 1908 | Town founded, renamed Jessup | Population grows to over 300 within months |
| 1908 | Jessup Mining District established | At least eight active mines, ore shipped by rail from Huxley |
| 1909 | Peak population and activity | 300 residents, multiple businesses, post office operational |
| 1909 | Decline begins | Mining boom falters, population decreases |
| 1910s | Town largely abandoned | Only intermittent mining activity in subsequent decades |
| 1980s–1990s | Modern exploration | Jessup Gold Prospect identifies additional resources, but no major revival |
Conclusion
Jessup’s history is a microcosm of the American West’s mining frontier, characterized by rapid growth, brief prosperity, and swift decline. Founded on the promise of gold and silver, the town’s fortunes were tied to the mines that sustained it. While Jessup’s boom was fleeting, its story endures as a testament to the challenges and opportunities of Nevada’s mining heritage.
Town Summary
| Name | Jessup Nevada White Canyon, Nevada |
| Location | Churchill County, Nevada |
| Latitude, Longitude | 39.948611, -118.875 |
| Elevation | 4550 Feet |
| Population | 300 |
| Post Office | March 1908 – July 1912 |
Jessup Nevada Trail Map
References
Boyer Nevada – Churchill County Ghost Town
Boyer, Nevada, is a ghost town located in northeastern Churchill County, Nevada, near the mouth of Cottonwood Canyon in Dixie Valley.
Establishment and Naming
Boyer was established in the early 1860s, with its post office opening on April 22, 1896, and operating until January 31, 1914. The town was named after Alva Boyer, a prospector and the first postmaster, who settled in the area and established the Boyer Ranch. Alva’s discovery of copper in the region marked the beginning of Boyer’s brief but notable history as a mining and ranching community. The town’s location, approximately 50 miles south of Lovelock, positioned it as a minor hub in Churchill County, connected to the Southern Pacific Railroad for shipping and banking purposes.
Economic Activities
Mining
Boyer’s economy was primarily driven by copper mining, which began in the early 1860s. The Boyer copper deposit, part of the Table Mountain Mining District, contained chalcopyrite and other copper sulfides found in fine fractures and amygdule fillings within mafic volcanic rocks. In 1861, several wagon-trains transported rich copper sulfide ore from Boyer to Sacramento, and subsequently to smelters in Swansea, Wales, indicating the high value of the ore extracted during this period. By 1907, mining activities were still significant, with reports of a proposed traction wagon road from Mill City to Goldbanks, including Boyer as a stop, highlighting its role in regional mining logistics. However, the lack of a local mill limited the processing of lower-grade ores, as only ore valued at $90 per ton or higher was economically viable for shipment.
Ranching
In addition to mining, Boyer supported a ranching community centered around the Boyer Ranch, established by Alva Boyer. The ranch served as a critical component of the town’s identity, providing agricultural support and serving as a base for the post office and mining operations. The 1907 Nevada Directory noted Boyer as a shipping point and banking town, with a weekly stage to Lovelock costing $3.00, underscoring its role in regional trade and communication.
Connection to Eagleville
Boyer was often associated with Eagleville, a mining area 11 miles northeast of Rawhide, approximately 50 miles from Boyer. Eagleville, active from the 1880s, had a post office from June 3, 1889, to March 13, 1913, and was known for placer mining between 1905 and 1908. Despite their proximity, the two towns were distinct, with a notable 1907 postal cover bearing both Boyer and Eagleville postmarks, suggesting some level of mail exchange or regional connectivity. The rarity of this cover, noted as unique in 2016, highlights the historical significance of Boyer’s postal operations.
Decline and Ghost Town Status
Boyer’s decline began in the early 20th century, culminating in the closure of its post office in 1914. Several factors contributed to this decline, including the exhaustion of easily accessible high-grade copper ore and the lack of infrastructure, such as a local mill, which made processing lower-grade ore uneconomical. The town’s remote location and reliance on distant markets for ore processing further limited its sustainability. By the mid-20th century, Boyer had become a ghost town, with only remnants of the Boyer Ranch and mining structures remaining, as documented in modern photographic records.
Churchill County Context
Churchill County, established on November 25, 1861, and named after Mexican-American War hero Brevet Brigadier General Sylvester Churchill, provided the broader historical and geographical context for Boyer. The county, with its seat in Fallon, was characterized by rugged terrain, including mountainous ridges and desert landscapes, which influenced the development of isolated communities like Boyer. The county’s economy benefited from reclamation projects like the Carson-Truckee Project (1903) and Lahontan Dam (1914), which transformed parts of the desert into agricultural land, but these developments primarily supported Fallon and other larger settlements, leaving remote areas like Boyer less impacted.
Conclusion
Boyer, Nevada, represents a quintessential example of a short-lived mining and ranching community in Churchill County. Named after Alva Boyer, the town thrived briefly in the late 19th and early 20th centuries due to copper mining and ranching activities. Despite its economic contributions, the lack of local processing infrastructure and the exhaustion of high-grade ore led to its decline, resulting in its current status as a ghost town. Today, Boyer serves as a historical reminder of Nevada’s mining heritage and the challenges faced by remote communities in sustaining economic viability.
Sources
- Nevada Expeditions, “Boyer”
- Mindat.org, “Boyer copper deposit”
- Uncovering Nevada, “Eagleville, 1907, Boyer Nevada”
- Wikipedia, “Churchill County, Nevada”
- Britannica, “Churchill County, Nevada”
Hot Creek Geologic Site
Hot Creek Geologic Site is located near Mammoth, Lake just off the 395 Highway in Mono County, California. The stream originates from Twin Lakes in Mammoth and continues on to Lake Crowley. The site is located near and a beautiful cold water stream which is located over a geothermal vent. Warm water is heated from a magma chamber located about three miles below the earths surface and bubbles up into the steam warming the water.
The Hot Creek does offer excellent fishing opportunities and popular among fly fisherman. Fishing used to be limited to barbless hooks.
No Swimming
The stream is now closed to swimming becuase “Earthquakes can cause sudden geyser eruptions and overnight appearances of new hot springs at Hot Creek. Water temperatures can change rapidly, and so entering the water is prohibited. ” Reports of hot water geysers up to 6 feet tall in 2006 and rapidly fluctuating temperatures apparently caused the closure of the stream to swimming.
My grandfather used to point out that some hot water vents where not in the same locations as when he was a child. Perhaps, within my life the hot springs area has become too dangerous to swim.
J Rathbun
As a child and young adult, the stream was open to swimming and my family did this routinely on almost every trip. I recall active conversations about the possibility of an geyser eruption which would kill us and we understood the risk of swimming. However, we also understood the possibility of an such an event was very remote when one considers the geologic time tables. My grandfather used to point out that some hot water vents where not in the same locations as when he was a child. Perhaps, within my life, the area has become too dangerous to swim.
Continue Reading →Mount Whitney Fish Hatchery
Located just outside of Independence, Inyo County, California the Mount Whitney Fish Hatchery has played an important role in the preservation of the Golden Trout. Beyond the hatchery’s primary purpose, the site makes an excellent location to pull off the highway, relax in the shade and enjoy a picnic lunch. This is how I was introduced to the hatchery 30 years ago, and it is still much anticipated stop each time I travel the 395 highway.
The fish hatchery began life in 1915, when the town of Independence raised money for and subsequently purchased a 40 acre parcel of ideal land in Oak Creek. Using foresight not seen in our time, Fish and Game Commissioner M. J. Connell directed he direct the design team “to design a building that would match the mountains, would last forever, and would be a showplace for all time.” Charles Dean of the State Department of Engineering and the design time team decided upon a “Tudor Revival” architectural style.
Utilizing a budget of $60,000 the hatchery project was started in March 1916 and complete one year later. The building was built using 3200 tones of local granite quarried nearby, boasts walls up to three feet thick and features a Spanish Tile roof. When the facility was brought online in 1917, the hatchery could produce two million fry per year.
The hatchery’s design, led by Charles Dean of the State Department of Engineering, prioritizes durability and aesthetic integration with the landscape. The grounds, landscaped by a gardener from Golden Gate Park, feature lush vegetation and a large fish-rearing pond framed by the dramatic backdrop of the Sierra Nevada, evoking the feel of an old European estate. The main building includes a visitor center with a gift shop, a fireplace, and interpretive exhibits, while the interior showcases troughs for fingerling fish and historical displays. Additional structures on the 40-acre site include nine small residences and six commercial buildings, contributing to its community-oriented function.
The fish hatchery operated until 2008, when on July 12th a flood and mudslide tore down the Oak Creek watershed which in 2007 was burnt in a wild fire. The resulting mudslide buried the fish rearing ponds, destroyed four buildings and killed the entire population of Rainbow Trout.
Currently a restoration project is in process, however the fate of the hatchery operation remains unknown.
Mount Whitney Fish Hatchery Map
References
El Fronterizo Newspaper
El Fronterizo was a prominent Spanish-language newspaper published in Tucson, Arizona, with two distinct periods: 1878–1910 and 1922–1929. Founded to serve the Mexican and Mexican-American communities, it promoted Hispanic culture, advocated for community interests, and addressed cross-border issues. This report examines its history, editorial stance, key figures, and impact, drawing on digitized records from the Library of Congress and Arizona Memory Project.
Founding and First Era (1878–1910)
El Fronterizo was established on September 29, 1878, by Carlos Ygnacio Velasco to meet the demand for Spanish-language media in Tucson, following the short-lived Las Dos Repúblicas (1877–1879). Published weekly and aligned with the Arizona Citizen, it ran for over 30 years under Velasco’s leadership. Velasco promoted Hispanic cultural pride, advocating an anti-assimilationist stance and repatriation to Mexico, while controversially supporting Chinese deportation due to railroad labor competition. In 1894, Velasco co-founded the Alianza Hispano-Americana, a mutual aid society, using El Fronterizo to advance its mission. The newspaper covered community events, obituaries, and cross-border issues, making it a vital genealogical resource.
Second Era (1922–1929)
A second El Fronterizo began on May 18, 1922, published by Enrique V. Anaya’s Spanish-American Printing Company, with the motto “defend Hispanic-American interests first and foremost.” Initially semiweekly, it became weekly after 1927. Editors included F.E. Schmidt, Francisco Lopez, and Carlos Bautista, with Isaac Montoya briefly co-managing. The newspaper focused on civic engagement, discrimination issues, and events like Charles Lindbergh’s 1927 Tucson visit. In 1928, Salvador Camacho took over, aligning it with Velasco’s legacy by calling it the “tercera epoca” and claiming a 1879 founding date. Publication ceased before 1930.
Impact and Legacy
El Fronterizo was a cornerstone for Tucson’s Mexican-American community, fostering cultural pride and political organization through the Alianza Hispano-Americana in its first era and addressing discrimination in its second. Its digitized archives (1878–1910, 1926–1929) via Chronicling America and Arizona Memory Project offer over 2,300 pages for researchers, preserving Arizona’s borderland history.
Conclusion
El Fronterizo’s two eras reflect the resilience of Tucson’s Mexican-American community. From Velasco’s cultural advocacy to Camacho’s revival efforts, it documented a vibrant history. Its digitized records ensure its legacy endures for genealogists and historians.
Sources: Library of Congress Chronicling America, Arizona Memory Project, University of Arizona Libraries.