Rhyolite in Nye County, Nevada — The American Mountains (Southwest)
Senator Stewart
Photographed by Craig Baker, April 5, 2025
1. Senator Stewart Marker
William M. Stewart believed in Rhyolite and invested heavily in the growing boomtown and local mines.
When Stewart came to Rhyolite in 1905, he built a law office and a sprawling mansion, two of the finest buildings in town.
The mansion was outside the edge of town and built of stone. It had ten rooms finished in fine wood and a nine-foot wrap-around porch. The Rhyolite Herald declared "tub and shower baths, range, toilet, hot and cold water and other improvements are not slighted, but everything that may be secured for comfort and convenience has been provided."
Before his time in Rhyolite, Stewart served in Congress as the first Senator for the new state of Nevada. The "Silver Senator" helped push the 1872 National Mining Act through the Senate. This law governs the prospecting and mining of economic minerals, such as gold, silver, and copper, on federal public lands to this day.
It has been said that Senator Stewart had a favorite burro that he rode around town during his two-year residency in Rhyolite, which ended when he moved back to Washington, D.C.
Erected 2022
this page online
Topics. This historical marker is listed in this topic list: Settlements & Settlers. A significant historical year for this entry is 1905.
Location. 36° 54.073′ N, 116° 49.744′ W. Marker is in Rhyolite, Nevada, in Nye County. It is on Rhyolite Road 1½ miles north of Nevada Route 374, on the right when traveling north. 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 Mexicos Alta California.
Other nearby markers. At least 8 other markers are within walking distance of this marker: Cook Bank Building (a few steps from this marker); Overbury Building (within shouting distance of this marker); Porter Brothers' Store (about 300 feet away, measured in a direct line); Rhyolite Schoolhouse (about 600 feet away); Adobe Dance Hall (about 600 feet
Photographed by Craig Baker, April 5, 2025
2. Senator Stewart Marker
Photographed by Craig Baker, April 5, 2025
3. Senator Stewart Marker
In the shadow of the famous Cook Bank Building, across the street.
Credits. This page was last revised on April 16, 2025. It was originally submitted on April 6, 2025, by Craig Baker of Sylmar, California. This page has been viewed 278 times since then and 39 times this year. Photos: 1, 2, 3. submitted on April 6, 2025, by Craig Baker of Sylmar, California.
