Rhyolite in Nye County, Nevada — The American Mountains (Southwest)
Welcome to Rhyolite
— Remember the past by exploring the present! —
Photographed By Craig Baker, October 27, 2020
1. Rhyolite Marker
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
• 50 saloons
• 19 lodging houses
• 6 barbers
• 4 bakeries
• 35 gaming tables
• 8 doctors
• 3 railroads
this page online
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. Marker 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.
Other nearby markers. At least 8 other markers are within 4 miles of this marker, measured as the crow flies. Tom Kelly Bottle House (within shouting distance of this marker); Rhyolite's District of Shadows (approx. 0.2 miles away); Cook Bank Building (approx. ¼ mile away); Rhyolite Train Depot (approx. 0.4 miles away); Rhyolite (approx. 0.6 miles away); Titus Canyon Road (approx. 2.8 miles away); Desert Hills Cemetery (approx. 3.8 miles away); 1921 Fordson Tractor (approx. 3.8 miles away). Touch for a list and map of all markers in Rhyolite.
Central Nevada Historical Society
2. Marker Detail
The City of Dreams, Rhyolite 1908.
Photographed By Craig Baker, October 27, 2020
3. Rhyolite Marker
Photographed By Craig Baker, October 27, 2020
4. Bottle House
Photographed By Craig Baker, October 27, 2020
5. Cook Bank Building
Photographed By Craig Baker, October 27, 2020
6. Cook Bank Building
circa 1908
7. Cook Bank Building
Photographed By Craig Baker, October 27, 2020
8. Train Depot
Credits. This page was last revised on April 12, 2022. It was originally submitted on November 4, 2020, by Craig Baker of Sylmar, California. This page has been viewed 279 times since then and 29 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.
