Searchlight
Initial discoveries of predominately gold ore were first made at this location on May 6, 1897. G. F. Colton filed the first claim, later to become the Duplex Mine. The Quartette Mining Company, formed in 1900, became the mainstay of the Searchlight District, producing almost half of the area's total output. In May, 1902, a 16-mile narrow-gauge railroad was built down the hill to the company's mill on the Colorado River.
On March 31, 1907, the 23.22-mile Barnwell and Searchlight Railroad connected the town with the then main Santa Fe line from Needles to Mojave. By 1919 trains traveled over the B and S Railroad only twice a week. A severe washout on September 23, 1923, halted traffic completely. Train service was never restored.
Searchlight is the birth place of U.S. Senator Harry Reid (b. 1939) who became the first Nevadan to serve as the Senate Majority Leader, a position he assumed in 2007.
Erected by State Historic Preservation Office. (Marker Number 116.)
Topics. This historical marker is listed in these topic lists: Government & Politics • Industry & Commerce • Railroads & Streetcars • Settlements & Settlers. A significant historical month for this entry is March 1856.
Location. 35° 28.101′ N, 114° 55.36′
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Other nearby markers. At least 6 other markers are within 17 miles of this marker, measured as the crow flies. Willie Martello and the El Rey Resort (approx. 0.4 miles away); George Frederick Colton and the Duplex Mine (approx. half a mile away); Zulu Echo Six (approx. 0.9 miles away); a different marker also named Searchlight (approx. 0.9 miles away); Cal-Nev-Ari (approx. 11.8 miles away); Mining Town of Hart (approx. 16.7 miles away in California).
Credits. This page was last revised on December 22, 2020. It was originally submitted on March 31, 2010, by Bill Kirchner of Tucson, Arizona. This page has been viewed 1,058 times since then and 26 times this year. Photos: 1, 2, 3. submitted on May 16, 2020, by Bill Kirchner of Tucson, Arizona. 4. submitted on March 31, 2010, by Bill Kirchner of Tucson, Arizona. • Syd Whittle was the editor who published this page.
