Gold Point, Nevada – Waxing & Waning Thru Time
Nestled within the vast and arid landscape of Nevada, lies Gold Point, a testament to the ephemeral nature of boom-and-bust cycles that characterized the American West. This near-ghost town, once a vibrant hub of mining activity, now stands as a poignant reminder of fortunes won and lost, of dreams realized and abandoned. Its story is etched in the weathered wood of its remaining buildings, whispered on the desert winds, and remembered by the few souls who call this historic place home. The story of Gold Point Nevada, is a story of waxing and waning.
The narrative of Gold Point begins long before its namesake precious metal was discovered. The area, a remote and unforgiving stretch of land, was initially sparsely populated by ranchers and a handful of hardy miners, eking out a living from the unforgiving earth around 1880. They established a small, unassuming camp a few hundred yards west of the present-day townsite, aptly named Lime Point, due to the prominent outcropping of limestone that dominated the landscape. Life in Lime Point was undoubtedly challenging, a constant struggle against the elements and the scarcity of resources.
The turn of the 20th century brought significant changes to the surrounding region. The discovery of rich deposits of gold and silver in nearby Tonopah and Goldfield ignited a frenzy of prospecting and development. These major mining towns attracted a surge of fortune seekers, and their burgeoning success had a ripple effect on the surrounding areas. The allure of striking it rich once again drew prospectors back to the old Lime Point mining camp, hoping to uncover similar treasures.
In 1902, their hopes were realized when significant silver deposits were unearthed in the area. This discovery sparked a revival of the long-dormant camp. The residents optimistically renamed the town Hornsilver, a tribute to the particularly rich source of silver ore that had been found. The initial excitement, however, was tempered by the harsh realities of the Nevada desert. Water was a precious and scarce commodity, forcing the miners to transport the extracted ore to the neighboring town of Lida for milling. Furthermore, the nearest major supply town was a daunting 250 miles away, situated northeast of present-day Lovelock.
The initial silver boom proved to be short-lived. The miners soon discovered that the silver deposits were not as abundant as initially hoped. The high costs associated with shipping the ore to Lida for processing quickly became unsustainable, rendering the mining operations unprofitable. Within a year, the early settlement of Hornsilver was once again abandoned, its dreams of prosperity fading into the desert landscape.
Undeterred by the previous failure, the Great Western Mine Company initiated operations about half a mile southeast of Hornsilver in 1905. Their persistence paid off when they discovered a rich vein of silver, triggering a renewed surge of miners back to the camp. This time, the discovery was accompanied by the presence of gold, albeit in limited quantities. This combination of silver and gold sparked a period of growth and development. By 1908, the rudimentary tent homes began to be replaced by more permanent wooden structures, transforming the camp into a fledgling town.
May 1908 marked a significant milestone for Hornsilver with the launch of the Hornsilver Herald newspaper, providing a vital source of information and community cohesion. The following week, the establishment of a post office further solidified the town’s growing presence. The residents, brimming with optimism, organized a Chamber of Commerce, actively promoting the town and attracting new businesses. Numerous establishments sprang up, including an impressive thirteen saloons, catering to the needs and desires of the growing population. The Chamber of Commerce tirelessly advocated for the extension of a railroad line to Hornsilver. Despite their efforts, the nearest railroad depot remained located in Ralston, approximately fifteen miles east of town. As deep ore bodies were extensively developed, the town reached its peak, boasting a population of around 1,000 residents and over 225 wood-framed buildings, tents, and shacks scattered throughout the camp. The spirit of Gold Point Nevada, was soaring high.
However, the prosperity of Hornsilver was once again threatened. In 1909, litigation over claim jumping entangled many of the area’s mining properties in legal battles. These numerous lawsuits, combined with inefficient and costly milling practices, brought the town’s growth to a standstill just a little more than a year after its establishment. Businesses began to close, and residents once again packed up their belongings and moved on, seeking their fortunes elsewhere.
Despite these setbacks, the resilient spirit of Hornsilver refused to be extinguished. Mining operations resumed in 1915, offering a glimmer of hope for a renewed period of prosperity. While these efforts appeared to be struggling, Charles Stoneham, owner of the New York Giants baseball team, acquired the Great Western mine in 1922 at a receiver’s sale, injecting new capital and potentially new hope into the town.
The most significant turning point in the town’s history occurred in 1927. A miner named J.W. Dunfee made a groundbreaking discovery – gold! This discovery proved to be transformative. Within a few years, the quantity of gold mined surpassed that of silver, leading to the town’s official renaming to Gold Point. Ironically, it was after this discovery that Gold Point experienced its longest period of sustained success, a period that coincided with the Great Depression that plagued the rest of the United States.
The onset of World War II brought new challenges to Gold Point. Mining resources were severely restricted, with priority given to mines extracting strategic metals essential for the war effort. Gold mining operations in Gold Point came to a standstill, forcing many residents to either drift away in search of other opportunities or enlist in the armed forces. The war cast a long shadow over the town, disrupting its economic activity and scattering its population.
After the war, mining resumed on a smaller scale, continuing until the 1960s. However, disaster struck when a cave-in occurred as a result of a dynamite blast at the Dunfee Shaft. The cost of repairing the damage proved to be prohibitively expensive, exceeding the potential value of the ore that could be extracted. The mine was subsequently closed, marking the end of large-scale mining operations in Gold Point. Aside from a few small leases and diggings, this marked the last significant mining endeavor in the town.
With the closure of the Great Western Mine, Gold Point officially transitioned into a "ghost town." Despite its dwindling population and economic decline, the town was not entirely abandoned. A long-time resident named Ora May Wiley, along with a few remaining residents, watched over the town, preserving its history and character.
Ora came to Gold Point around 1930 and married Harry Wiley, one of the founding fathers of Hornsilver. She remained in the town until her death at the age of 83 in 1980. From 1940 to 1967, Ora served as the postmaster, playing a vital role in connecting the town with the outside world. The couple also operated a general store and a Standard Gas Station, providing essential goods and services to the community. Harry Wiley served on the Esmeralda County Board of Supervisors from 1940 until he was elected to the Nevada State Senate in 1946, where he served until his death in office in 1955. In 1967, the post office closed its doors forever, standing as a poignant testament to the town’s once-flourishing past, seemingly frozen in time.
Today, Gold Point is home to only about a dozen residents, a dedicated group who have privately undertaken the restoration and preservation of the town. Spearheaded by a man named Herb Robbins, who moved to Gold Point in his mid-twenties, the old town has undergone significant repairs and improvements through the tireless efforts of its residents, friends, and supporters.
Many of the cabins in the town retain their original appearance from nearly 100 years ago and are sometimes rented out in a bed-and-breakfast style, offering visitors a unique glimpse into the past. The centerpiece of Gold Point is its 110-foot-long saloon, adorned with historical artifacts on the outside and boasting a Player Piano and shuffleboard on the inside. The saloon, the post office, and several other restored buildings line the town’s tiny historic main street, creating a captivating atmosphere.
Gold Point "opens its doors" to welcome hundreds of visitors for festive weekends, including Memorial Day, Independence Day, and Labor Day weekends, offering a variety of food and activities. During these events, Herb Robbins portrays "Sheriff Stone," entertaining the guests and maintaining order. Gold Point has also become a popular venue for weddings, with Sheriff Stone and his girlfriend Sandy, a licensed minister in Nevada, providing memorable ceremonies.
Restoration efforts have been ongoing in this old settlement since the late 1970s, and two museums are open to the public on most weekends, showcasing the town’s rich history and artifacts.
Visitors are reminded that the entire town is privately owned. While the residents may not always be visible, they diligently watch over their property, ensuring that its many artifacts remain undisturbed.
During its heyday, Gold Point produced more than a million dollars in gold and silver, with the Great Western Mine alone extracting over $500,000 in gold.