Searchlight in Clark County, Nevada — The American Mountains (Southwest)

George Frederick Colton and the Duplex Mine

Photographed by Bill Kirchner, March 16, 2010

1. George Frederick Colton and the Duplex Mine Marker

Inscription. George Frederick Colton can be considered to be the father of Searchlight. The Searchlight claim made on May 6, 1897 was the earliest claim of importance in what became the Searchlight Mining District. He is also credited with providing the name of the new district. It was either taken from a popular brand of matches, or a reference to the need for a searchlight to find the gold in this region. Colton's Searchlight Claim, New Years Gift Claim later became the Duplex Mine. The Duplex Mine was one of the important mines in the area along with the larger Quartette Mine. Colton often leased the Duplex to others to work, but he never gave up ownership. The mine continues today in family ownership.

Erected 2005 by Queho Posse Chapter 1919, E Clampus Vitus.

Topics and series. This historical marker is listed in these topic lists: Industry & Commerce • Settlements & Settlers. In addition, it is included in the E Clampus Vitus series list. A significant historical month for this entry is May 1940.

Location. 35° 27.692′ N, 114° 55.189′ W. Marker is in Searchlight, Nevada, in Clark County. It can be reached from State Highway 95. Marker is at the rear of parking lot for the Kmillion Gold Mine. Touch for map. Marker is at or near this postal address: 575 South US Highway 95, Searchlight NV 89046, United States of America. Touch for directions.

Regionally, this marker is in the Mojave Desert

and in Greater Las Vegas.

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.

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At least 6 other markers are within 17 miles of this marker, measured as the crow flies: Willie Martello and the El Rey Resort (about 700 feet away, measured in a direct line); Searchlight (approx. half a mile away); Zulu Echo Six (approx. 0.8 miles away); a different marker also named Searchlight (approx. 0.8 miles away); Cal-Nev-Ari (approx. 11.3 miles away); Mining Town of Hart (approx. 16½ miles away in California).

Also see . . .
1. George Frederick Colton and the Duplex Mine. Queho Posse Chapter, E Clampus Vitus website entry (Submitted on May 29, 2025, by Larry Gertner of New York, New York.)

2. Duplex Mine. Tales from the Desert website entry (Submitted on May 29, 2025, by Larry Gertner of New York, New York.)

Photographed by Bill Kirchner, March 16, 2010

2. George Frederick Colton and the Duplex Mine Marker

Photographed by Bill Kirchner, March 16, 2010

3. George Frederick Colton and the Duplex Mine Marker

Credits. This page was last revised on May 29, 2025. It was originally submitted on March 30, 2010, by Bill Kirchner of Tucson, Arizona. This page has been viewed 1,923 times since then and 52 times this year. Photos: 1, 2, 3. submitted on March 30, 2010, by Bill Kirchner of Tucson, Arizona. • Syd Whittle was the editor who published this page.