Rhyolite in Nye County, Nevada — The American Mountains (Southwest)

Welcome to Rhyolite

— Remember the past by exploring the present! —

Rhyolite Marker image. Click for full size.

Photographed by Craig Baker, October 27, 2020

1. Rhyolite Marker

Inscription.
Gold was discovered in this area in 1904. Several mining camps quickly grew around the discoveries. The town of Rhyolite was founded in 1905 and became the city of dreams; dreams of gold, prosperity, greed, and speculation.

By 1906 Rhyolite was turning into a modern town with indoor plumbing, electricity, and other luxuries. However, the dream was short lived. The mines began to fail and by 1910 people were leaving and the mines were closing.

“Today is payday at the mines and if you want to stay around, you will undoubtedly hear the bawdy music that pierces the silences of the night air, the hard laughter of the girls, and the rowdy voices of the miners.” - Kate Graves.

Today, most of the town has disappeared from the landscape. Some buildings were moved to new towns. Others fell down or were taken apart for their materials. We invite you to explore and try to imagine what this once thriving town was like in 1907.

Rhyolite at a Glance - 1907

Named for the prevailing rock in the area.
Estimated population: 5,000 - 8,000 people.
Boom years: 1905-1911.
• 18 grocery stores

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• 50 saloons
• 19 lodging houses
• 6 barbers
• 4 bakeries
• 35 gaming tables
• 8 doctors
• 3 railroads

Erected by Bureau of Land Management, U.S. Department of the Interior.

Topics. This historical marker is listed in these topic lists: Industry & Commerce • Settlements & Settlers. A significant historical year for this entry is 1904.

Location. 36° 53.859′ N, 116° 49.775′ W. Marker is in Rhyolite, Nevada, in Nye County. It can be reached from Rhyolite Road 1.4 miles north of Nevada Route 374, on the right when traveling north. The marker is located near the Bottle House parking lot. Touch for map. Marker is in this post office area: Beatty NV 89003, United States of America. Touch for directions.

Regionally, this marker is in the Mojave Desert

and in Central Nevada. 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 Mexico’s Alta California.

Other nearby markers. At least 8 other markers are within walking distance of this

Marker Detail image. Click for full size.

Central Nevada Historical Society

2. Marker Detail

The City of Dreams, Rhyolite 1908.

marker: Tom Kelly Bottle House (within shouting distance of this marker); Miners Union Hall (about 600 feet away, measured in a direct line); Rhyolite Schoolhouse (about 700 feet away); Rhyolite's District of Shadows (approx. 0.2 miles away); Porter Brothers' Store (approx. 0.2 miles away); Overbury Building (approx. 0.2 miles away); Adobe Dance Hall (approx. 0.2 miles away); Red-Light District (approx. ¼ mile away). Touch for a list and map of all markers in Rhyolite.

Rhyolite and Marker image. Click for full size.

Photographed by Craig Baker, October 27, 2020

3. Rhyolite and Marker

Bottle House image. Click for full size.

Photographed by Craig Baker, October 27, 2020

4. Bottle House

Cook Bank Building image. Click for full size.

Photographed by Craig Baker, October 27, 2020

5. Cook Bank Building

Photographed by Craig Baker, October 27, 2020

6. Cook Bank Building

Cook Bank Building - 1908 image. Click for full size.

Public Domain, circa 1908

7. Cook Bank Building - 1908

Photographed by Craig Baker, October 27, 2020

8. Train Depot

Credits. This page was last revised on August 6, 2024. It was originally submitted on November 4, 2020, by Craig Baker of Sylmar, California. This page has been viewed 567 times since then and 24 times this year. Photos: 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8. submitted on November 4, 2020, by Craig Baker of Sylmar, California. • Devry Becker Jones was the editor who published this page.