Heritage tours announced for White Pine County

The Nevada State Railroad Museum East Ely has announced their annual summer Heritage tours to White Pine County’s original County Seat of Hamilton.  Led by Museum Director and Historian Sean Pitts, the tour will provide an in-depth look at the area using historical maps and photographs to document the area’s history.

In 1867, the discovery of rich silver ore brought tens of thousands to eastern Nevada, forty miles west of Ely.  Known as the White Pine Mining District, the area was the first mining discovery in eastern Nevada and the richest silver ore ever discovered in North America.  The influx of nearly 40,000 people prompted the creation of White Pine County by 1869.

According to Turetine Jackson, Author of Treasure Hill, this era is considered the “shortest lived but most intensive mining boom in American history.” The mining boom was intensive because it was the first discovery after the completion of the Transcontinental Railroad, which allowed transportation to the area in 6 days instead of months of wagon travel.  

“It was short lived because the rich silver ore was on the surface of the ground,” said Pitts.  “The deeper you went, the less value the ore contained.  The boom lasted under two years – remarkably quick in light of most mining camps,” he added.

Tours are scheduled for Wednesday, July 30; Friday, August 29; and Saturday, September 13.  The tour is free of charge. Participants are asked to meet at the parking lot of Great Basin College at 8:45 a.m. and leave at 9:00 a.m. as a caravan to the site.

Given the nature of the terrain, participants should bring appropriate clothing, footwear, water, and snacks.  Vehicles such as trucks with high clearance and rugged tires are recommended.  All tours are weather dependent and take approximately 4 hours. 

For more information contact the Nevada State Railroad Museum East Ely at 775-289-1663.