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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.

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

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

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References

• Nevada SHPO