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Although you may not be able to tell by the hustle and bustle of the Las Vegas strip, but there really are a few very deserted and very creepy ghost towns located not so far from Las Vegas. Many of Nevada’s early settlers came to the state in the late 1800’s in search of gold. It may not seem it these days, but Nevada really was part of the Wild West. Mining towns were pretty much the only pieces of civilization out in the middle of the desert at the time and cowboys made the law. These towns have since been deserted but many of the original structures have still survived and anyone can visit them to get a little taste of our country’s rich history.
If you happen to be in the area of the Hoover Dam, you may want to stop by the town of Chloride. Early settlers came to the town in search of gold, zinc, lead, silver, and turquoise. The town became a popular destination for those traveling west after silver was found on “Silver Hill” in the 1860’s. By 1920 the town was home to over 2,000 residents. However, once the cost of mining materials went up in the 1940’s, the miners left town. In the 1960’s the town was rediscovered by traveling hippies and re-inhabited. Artist, Roy Purcell painted murals on the rocks high above the town. These works of art can still be seen today. The town is a little hard to find and it’s easier to hike to then to drive. There is even a visitor’s center set up and the Tennessee Saloon is still open for business. There is also a live Wild West show that takes place the 1st and 3rd Saturday of each month. The residents here at Chloride also participate in events year round. There are often BBQs and art fairs taking place.
After gold was discovered in 1902, Goldfield became one of the biggest towns in Nevada. The town was considered luxurious for its day and it once housed over 20,000 residents. Floods in 1913 and a large fire in 1923 destroyed almost all of Goldfield. Today there are only a few buildings still left standing. Check out the courthouse and the Santa Fe Saloon in 1905. The Saloon was so popular that they even built small beds out back for patrons that were too drunk to even stumble home!
The Pioneer Saloon is one of the most famous structures in ghost town history and it is located only 35 miles outside Las Vegas in Goodsprings, Nevada. This spot also happens to be a popular place for movie sets. The Saloon is open for business and everything inside has been left in tact. Bullets are still lodged in the walls from gunfights. A pot-bellied stove still heats the saloon. If you’re looking to see something a little creepier, then visit the nearby cemetery where the original residents of Goodsprings still rest.
One of the biggest and most famous ghost towns in Nevada is Rhyolite. The town had over 50 saloons and 18 grocery stores. Many of the shops and houses are still standing today. There is even a house made entirely of bottles. The ruins of Rhyolite are the most complete of any ghost town in the area. Visitor’s can walk through the structures hunting for ghosts or just looking for a little bit of history.
With so many ghost towns in such close proximity to Las Vegas there is no reason not to take a day to travel through these American treasures. Who knows, you may even spot a ghost!
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