Pioche in Lincoln County, Nevada — The American Mountains (Southwest)
Pioche
Photographed by Paulette Nelson, April 18, 2019
1. Pioche Marker
Silver ore was discovered in this range of mountains in 1864, but no important development took place until 1869 when mines were opened and the town of Pioche appeared. Pioche soon became the scene of a wild rush of prospectors and fortune seekers and gained a reputation in the 1870's for tough gunmen and bitter lawsuits. Over five million dollars in ore was taken out by 1872, and by 1900 Pioche was nearly a ghost town.
Designated as the seat of Lincoln County in 1871, Pioche survived hard times as a supply and government center of a vast area. In later years, notably during World War II, profitable lead-zinc deposits were developed.
Erected 1964 by Nevada Centennial. (Marker Number 5.)
Topics. This historical marker is listed in these topic lists: Natural Resources • Settlements & Settlers. A significant historical year for this entry is 1864.
Location. 37° 55.602′ N, 114° 26.955′ W. Marker is in Pioche, Nevada, in Lincoln County. It is on Main Street (Nevada Route 321) 2.4 miles west of U.S. 93, on the left when traveling west. Touch for map. Marker is in this post office area: Pioche NV 89043, United States of America. Touch for directions.
Regionally, this marker is in Nevada’s Mojave Desert. It is also in the American Southwest and in the Mountain West. Globally, it is in North America, the Western Hemisphere, the Western World, and the Anglosphere. Historically, it finds itself in what was once New Spain and also Mexicos Alta California.
Other nearby markers. At least 8 other markers are within walking distance of this marker: Wheeler Monument (about 600 feet away, measured in a direct line); Christ Church
this page online
Regarding Pioche. This page had the incorrect number (6) as the marker number. A picture is attached showing that the marker number should be 5.
Also see . . . New Amended Text for Marker. The Nevada State Historic Preservation Office (SHPO) recently updated the text of the roughly 260 state historical markers in Nevada. The Nevada SHPO placed the amended text of each individual marker on its website and will change the actual markers in the field as funding allows. Minor changes have been made to the marker for grammar and readability. The marker was amended to add information on the lead-zinc mining. The link will take you to the Nevada SHPO page for the marker with the amended text. (Submitted on November 12, 2013, by Duane Hall of Abilene, Texas.)
Photographed by Thomas Chris English, August 19, 2011
2. Pioche Marker
Additional keywords. 37.92669,
Photographed by Thomas Chris English, August 19, 2011
3. Pioche Marker - View East
Photographed by Thomas Chris English, August 19, 2011
4. Pioche Marker - The View South
Photographed by Thomas Chris English, August 19, 2011
5. Pioche Marker - The View West
Photographed by Thomas Chris English, August 19, 2011
6. Pioche Marker - The View North
Photographed by Thomas Chris English, August 19, 2011
7. Pioche Marker Site
There is a large vertical prospect adjacent to the marker. The area has many. Most have been located and fenced. There are some dangerous tunnels and shafts in the area, some shafts hundreds of feet deep at the end of long dark tunnels.
Photographed by Bill Kirchner, October 4, 2013
8. back of Pioche Marker
Town of Pioche is in the center of photograph, between the two hills.
Credits. This page was last revised on March 9, 2026. It was originally submitted on August 23, 2011, by Chris English of Phoenix, Arizona. This page has been viewed 804 times since then and 20 times this year. Last updated on April 19, 2019, by Paulette Nelson of N Las Vegas, Nevada. Photos: 1. submitted on April 19, 2019, by Paulette Nelson of N Las Vegas, Nevada. 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7. submitted on August 23, 2011, by Chris English of Phoenix, Arizona. 8. submitted on October 19, 2013, by Bill Kirchner of Tucson, Arizona. • Andrew Ruppenstein was the editor who published this page.
