Delamar, Nevada – The Widowmaker
Nestled in the desolate landscape of Nevada, far from the shimmering lights of Las Vegas, lies a silent testament to the dreams and perils of the American West: Delamar. This ghost town, eerily beautiful in its decay, whispers tales of fortunes sought, lives lost, and a harsh environment that ultimately claimed victory. Once a bustling mining camp teeming with hopeful prospectors, Delamar, Nevada, now stands as a haunting reminder of the boom-and-bust cycles that defined the silver state’s history. The nickname "The Widowmaker" is a grim epitaph, etched in the very dust that permeates the air, a constant reminder of the insidious disease that decimated its population.
The story of Delamar begins in 1889, with the discovery of gold in Monkeywrench Wash by John Ferguson and Joseph Sharp. This find ignited a feverish rush to the isolated, almost treeless region. Drawn by the promise of riches, gold and silver seekers poured into the area, and soon, a rudimentary mining camp sprung up west of the Monkeywrench Mine. Initially named Ferguson, in honor of one of the original discoverers, the settlement was a rough-and-tumble affair, typical of the era, characterized by tents and hastily constructed shacks.
The turning point for Ferguson, and its subsequent transformation into Delamar, came in April 1894. Captain Joseph Rafael De Lamar, a shrewd and ambitious mining magnate from Montana, recognized the potential of the area and acquired the majority of the significant mines. With his investment and vision, the camp underwent a significant change. The settlement was promptly renamed Delamar, reflecting the captain’s ownership and ambition. That same year, the community began to take on a more permanent character. Evidence of this transition included the establishment of a local newspaper, the Delamar Lode, which served as a vital source of information and community connection, and the opening of a post office, officially recognizing the settlement’s existence within the broader postal network.
Captain De Lamar’s investment wasn’t limited to acquiring mines and renaming the town. He further demonstrated his commitment by constructing a fifty-ton mill, which commenced operations in May 1895. This mill was crucial for processing the ore extracted from the mines, significantly increasing the efficiency and profitability of the mining operations. The construction and operation of the mill marked a significant phase in the growth of Delamar, attracting more workers and contributing to the development of infrastructure.
The town of Delamar experienced rapid growth in the wake of these developments. The settlement soon boasted a population exceeding 1,500 residents, a testament to the allure of gold and the opportunities it presented. As the town flourished, so did its infrastructure and amenities. A hospital was built to cater to the healthcare needs of the growing population, an opera house provided entertainment and cultural enrichment, and several churches offered spiritual guidance and community gathering places. A school was established to educate the children of the town, ensuring the future of the community. Numerous businesses sprung up to cater to the needs of the residents, and, inevitably, several saloons emerged, providing respite and recreation for the hardworking miners and townsfolk.
The architecture of Delamar reflected the rugged environment and the resourcefulness of its inhabitants. Most buildings were constructed using native rock, a readily available material that provided durability and insulation against the harsh desert climate. Despite the passage of time and the abandonment of the town, the ruins of these timeless buildings continue to stand, serving as a poignant reminder of the lives and dreams that once filled them.
By 1896, the Delamar mill was operating at full capacity, processing up to 260 tons of ore daily. This impressive output underscored the success of the mining operations and the importance of Delamar as a gold-producing center. However, the remote location of the town presented significant logistical challenges. Water, a precious resource in the arid landscape, was pumped in from a well at Meadow Valley Wash, some twelve miles away. Supplies and materials traveled even further, transported by mule teams over mountainous terrain from the railroad head at Milford, Utah, a grueling journey of 150 miles. The precious ore was hauled out of the settlement in the same arduous manner, highlighting the determination and resilience of the people who called Delamar home.
The gold found in the Delamar mines possessed a unique characteristic: it was embedded within quartzite rock. While the presence of gold was a source of wealth and opportunity, the process required to extract it from the quartzite proved to be a deadly one. The extraction process generated vast quantities of fine dust containing microscopic particles of glass-like rock. This hazardous dust, when inhaled by the mine workers and townspeople, led to a debilitating and often fatal lung disease known as silicosis.
The prevalence of silicosis earned Delamar the grim nickname "The Widowmaker," a stark acknowledgment of the numerous premature deaths caused by the disease. At one point, the town was home to over 400 widows, a heartbreaking testament to the devastating impact of the quartz dust. Today, Delamar’s two remaining cemeteries serve as a somber reminder of this tragic chapter in the town’s history. The tombstones bear inscriptions that chronicle the lives cut short by silicosis, forever etching the victims’ stories into the landscape.
As the turn of the century approached, gold production began to decline, signaling the beginning of the end for Delamar. By 1902, many of the town’s residents had already moved on, drawn by the allure of new opportunities in the burgeoning boomtown of Tonopah. The exodus of residents further diminished the town’s prospects, accelerating its decline.
From 1892 to 1909, the mines of Delamar yielded more than $15 million worth of gold, a substantial sum that fueled the town’s prosperity for a time. However, in 1909, Captain John R. Delamar, who had inherited the enterprise from his father, made the decision to dismantle the entire operation. The closure of the mines dealt a fatal blow to Delamar, hastening its demise. Inevitably, the town faded into obscurity, becoming another casualty of the boom-and-bust cycles that characterized the mining West.
Despite its decline, Delamar experienced a brief resurgence in 1929, when mining production resumed. This revival led to the reopening of the post office and the school, providing a glimmer of hope for the struggling community. However, this renewed prosperity was short-lived. Production ceased once more in 1934, marking the final end for Delamar. The town was abandoned for good, leaving behind a collection of crumbling buildings and haunting memories.
The passage of time, coupled with the destructive actions of vandals, has taken a heavy toll on the remains of Delamar. In recent years, several of the old stone buildings that once stood as proud symbols of the town’s history have been dismantled, stone by stone, by vandals hoping to uncover hidden treasures within the walls. Despite this destruction, the crumbling ruins, tailings, and old mine structures still hold a certain allure, attracting ghost town enthusiasts and photographers who are drawn to its remote location and its rich, albeit tragic, history.
Directions: From Las Vegas, take I-15 north to Great Basin National Park/Ely Cut-off – Highway 93. Just a few miles before reaching Caliente, Nevada, the Delamar Road is on the right. The drive to Delamar is approximately 16 miles on a rugged gravel road. Four-wheel drive is highly recommended due to the challenging terrain.