Goldfield, Nevada – Queen of the Mining Camps

In the vast and rugged landscape of Nevada, where the echoes of the Wild West still linger, lies Goldfield, a town steeped in history and shrouded in the mystique of a bygone era. Once a vibrant hub of mining activity and opulent extravagance, today Goldfield stands as a testament to the boom-and-bust cycles that defined the American West. Its weathered buildings and quiet streets whisper tales of fortunes won and lost, of dreams realized and shattered, earning it the well-deserved title of "Goldfield, Nevada – Queen of the Mining Camps."

The story of Goldfield begins in December 1902, when two prospectors, Harry Stimler and Billy March, ventured into the desolate hills south of Tonopah, Nevada, driven by the timeless allure of gold. Funded by a grubstake, they struck it rich, discovering gold deposits that would soon transform the landscape and attract a flood of fortune seekers. Initially dubbed "Grandpa," the mining district quickly adopted the name Goldfield, a moniker that resonated with the promise of untold riches.

In its nascent stages, Goldfield was a far cry from the opulent metropolis it would become. A mere 36 souls called the town home in 1903, their lives centered around rudimentary shelters and the relentless pursuit of gold. However, as news of the burgeoning gold deposits spread like wildfire, the population swelled exponentially, transforming Goldfield into a bustling boomtown.

The early inhabitants of Goldfield faced the harsh realities of the Nevada desert, enduring scorching summers and frigid winters in makeshift shanties and tents. Determined to find more permanent housing, the miners ingeniously began excavating homes along the banks of Coyote Wash during the summer of 1903. These dugout dwellings, reinforced with brownstones hauled from the canyons of Malpai Mesa, offered a degree of protection from the elements. While remnants of these rudimentary homes were still visible as late as the 1940s, today, the exact locations of these early dwellings have faded into the desert landscape.

By 1904, Goldfield had evolved from a humble encampment into a burgeoning town, boasting three saloons, a grocery store, and two feedlots, catering to the needs of the burgeoning mining community. The allure of quick riches drew legendary figures to Goldfield, including the famed lawmen Virgil and Wyatt Earp. Arriving in the spring of 1904, the Earp brothers sought to capitalize on the economic opportunities presented by the gold rush. Despite a debilitating injury to his arm sustained in Tombstone, Arizona, Virgil Earp was sworn in as a deputy sheriff in Goldfield, while Wyatt Earp, leveraging his friendship with Tex Rickard from their time in Nome, Alaska, secured a position as a pit boss at Rickard’s newly opened Northern Saloon.

In February 1905, Tex Rickard, a shrewd entrepreneur with a flair for the dramatic, inaugurated the Northern Saloon, quickly establishing it as Goldfield‘s most celebrated establishment. The saloon and gambling house became a focal point of the town’s social life, attracting miners, businessmen, and gamblers alike.

However, the burgeoning town of Goldfield was not immune to adversity. On July 8, 1905, a devastating fire erupted in the Bon Ton Millinery shop, quickly engulfing surrounding structures. With limited water resources, desperate measures were employed to combat the flames, including the use of beer as an extinguishing agent. As reported by the Tonopah Daily Sun, barrels of beer were liberally applied to save the buildings of the Enterprise Mercantile Company. The fire was eventually brought under control when a shift in the wind spared the rest of the town, but not before two blocks of businesses and homes were reduced to ashes.

The year 1905 also marked the arrival of the Tonopah & Goldfield Railroad, providing a vital transportation link for the town’s residents and industries. Additionally, the Santa Fe Saloon was established, becoming one of Goldfield‘s oldest continuously operating businesses. This saloon, complete with its false-front facade, wooden sidewalks, and rough-hewn floors, features an original Brunswick Bar that dominates the back wall. The Santa Fe Saloon also offered motel rooms, providing a popular oasis for travelers venturing through the Nevada desert.

In October 1905, Virgil Earp succumbed to pneumonia, passing away on October 19th. Following his death, Wyatt Earp departed Nevada, leaving behind the town he had briefly called home.

By 1906, Goldfield had reached its zenith, boasting a population exceeding 30,000. The mines yielded a staggering $10,000 in ore daily, solidifying the town’s reputation as a center of immense wealth. Building lots commanded exorbitant prices, sometimes reaching as high as $45,000. In addition to its numerous saloons, Goldfield boasted three newspapers, five banks, and a bustling mining stock exchange.

The town’s reputation for luxury and entertainment was further cemented by its selection as the site of the Gans-Nelson Lightweight Championship of the World on Labor Day 1906. Tex Rickard’s Northern Saloon hosted the prize fight, constructing an 8,000-seat arena to accommodate the anticipated crowds. The bout lasted a grueling 42 rounds, a record that still stands in the Guinness Book of World Records, with Joe Gans emerging victorious and claiming the $30,000 purse.

However, beneath the veneer of prosperity, tensions simmered between mine owners and the Western Federation of Miners. The Goldfield Consolidated Mines Company, controlled by George Wingfield, held a virtual monopoly over mining operations, leading to conflicts over wages and working conditions. Strikes erupted in December 1906 and January 1907, and continued throughout the year. Despite the absence of serious disturbances, George Wingfield appealed to President Roosevelt in December 1907, requesting federal troops to maintain order. President Roosevelt dispatched 300 federal troops from a California division in San Francisco to Goldfield, arriving on December 6, 1907. The mine owners promptly reduced wages and banned members of the Western Federation of Miners from employment. The troops remained in Goldfield until March 1908, effectively quelling the labor unrest and solidifying the mine owners’ control.

From 1903 to 1910, Goldfield served as the largest city in Nevada. In 1907, the county seat was relocated from Hawthorne to Goldfield, prompting the construction of a new courthouse. This fortress-like building opened in May 1908, with a jail added to the rear.

In 1908, the opulent Goldfield Hotel opened its doors, designed by Architect George E. Holesworth and owned by George Wingfield. Built atop a dry mine shaft, the hotel cost over $300,000 to construct. The four-story structure boasted 154 rooms with modern amenities, including telephones, electric lights, and steam heat. The lobby was adorned with mahogany paneling, black leather furnishings, gold-leaf ceilings, and crystal chandeliers. The hotel imported chefs from Europe and featured one of the first Otis elevators west of the Mississippi River. It quickly became renowned as the most luxurious hotel between Chicago and San Francisco.

However, Goldfield‘s prosperity was fleeting. By 1910, the town’s population had dwindled to approximately 5,000, and gold production plummeted from $11 million per year to $5 million.

On September 13, 1913, a catastrophic flood struck Goldfield. Heavy rains in the surrounding hills unleashed a torrent of water that swept through the town, destroying hundreds of buildings and their contents. Cabins, homes, and the Moose Hall were all washed away. Legends tell of gold coins and stolen sacks of high-grade ore that were lost in the floodwaters. The area west of Goldfield remains a popular destination for treasure hunters seeking these lost caches.

By 1918, the mines produced only $1.5 million in ore, with half that amount the following year. In 1920, Goldfield‘s population dwindled to around 1,500 residents, and the area mines produced a cumulative $150,000 in ore over the next three years.

On July 6, 1923, a fire erupted in Goldfield, ignited by a moonshine still explosion across the street from the Goldfield Hotel. Fueled by raging winds, the fire raged for 13 hours, destroying 27 blocks of homes and businesses. The town never recovered.

The Goldfield Hotel began a gradual decline, becoming a flophouse by the 1930s. During World War II, it was used to quarter soldiers before closing its doors permanently. Although there have been plans to renovate and reopen the hotel, it remains deserted.

The last of the five railroads that once served Goldfield discontinued operations in 1947.

From 1903 to 1940, Goldfield‘s mines produced over $86 million. As late as 1997, a few of the Goldfield mines were still producing.

Today, Goldfield is home to less than 500 residents. The courthouse remains in continuous use, and the original jail still houses inmates.

Several buildings offer glimpses of Goldfield‘s prosperous past. The Santa Fe Saloon continues to operate at the entrance to the mining fields. Across the highway from the Goldfield Hotel is the Mozart Saloon, which serves breakfast, lunch, and drinks.

Across from the County Courthouse is Goldfield‘s old High School, a classic example of early 20th-century architecture. The former Tex Rickard home, built in 1905, stands at the corner of Crook and Franklin Streets.

The Goldfield Hotel remains the centerpiece of the town, symbolizing Goldfield‘s former glory. The old hotel is also considered to be one of the most haunted buildings in the United States.