Gold Point in Esmeralda County, Nevada — The American Mountains (Southwest)

Gold Point

Photographed by Craig Baker, March 30, 2022

1. Gold Point Marker

Inscription. Known originally as Lime Point, this area was first settled about 1880. The early camp was abandoned by 1882. In March 1908, a silver strike brought a new camp into existence. Called Hornsilver, it flourished for about a year, boasting about 800 residents, at least 11 saloons, a post office, telephone service and a newspaper. Most of the businesses closed the following year. After a number of small booms and busts, the town was renamed Gold Point in 1932. Two local residents eventually served in the Nevada State Senate, Harry DeVotie and Harry Wiley, whose wife Ora Mae served as postmistress from 1942 until 1967. The post office closed in 1968, and in 1979 stabilization of the town was started by Herb Robbins.

Erected 2004 by Queho Posse Chapter No. 1919 E Clampus Vitus.

Topics and series. This historical marker is listed in these topic lists: Natural Resources • Notable Places. In addition, it is included in the E Clampus Vitus, and the Postal Mail and Philately series lists. A significant historical month for this entry is March 1908.

Location. 37° 21.233′ N, 117° 21.9′ W. Marker is in Gold Point, Nevada, in Esmeralda

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County. It is on Gold Street 15 miles south of U.S. 95, on the left when traveling south. Touch for map. Marker is in this post office area: Goldfield NV 89013, United States of America. Touch for directions.

Regionally, this marker is in the Sierra Nevada

and specifically 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 2 other markers are within 11 miles of this marker, measured as the crow flies: A different marker also named Gold Point (approx. 7.3 miles away); Lida (approx. 10.2 miles away).

More about this marker. The marker is on Gold Street near the Post Office building.

Regarding Gold Point. The town owners have gone to great lengths to keep this town preserved, much like Bodie, in perpetual arrested decay. Many of the buildings have been restored, and old lumber has been used to build cabins for overnight stays. If you want to get away from it all, Gold

Photographed by Craig Baker, March 30, 2022

2. Gold Point Marker

The Gold Point Post Office is at left.

Point is definitely away from it all.

Also see . . . Gold Point. The history of Gold Point complete with photos and links to additional information from the owners of the town, "Sheriff Harold T. Stone and Red Dog Lil". Be sure to read how they became the owners of this Ghost Town. (Submitted on August 10, 2010.)

Additional keywords. mining

Gold Point Post Office image. Click for full size.

Photographed by Lester J Letson, July 17, 2009

3. Gold Point Post Office

The Post Office closed in 1968. The rear of an old firetruck is seen in the picture. Gold Point has two old firetrucks, an ancient drilling rig truck, and various old cars and old mining equipment in various states of decay.

Photographed by Lester J Letson, July 18, 2009

4. Mine Shaft

There are several mine shafts in the desert outside of Gold Point. All have been boarded over with heavy timbers to prevent access, but there was enough room to get my flash camera to take this shot.

Mitchell's Mercantile in Gold Point image. Click for full size.

Photographed by Lester J Letson, July 17, 2009

5. Mitchell's Mercantile in Gold Point

Main Street in Gold Point image. Click for full size.

Photographed by Lester J Letson, July 17, 2009

6. Main Street in Gold Point

Photographed by Lester J Letson, July 17, 2009

7. Gold Point

The town is called Gold Point, even though the main strike was Silver.

The Gallows in Gold Point image. Click for full size.

Photographed by Lester J Letson, July 17, 2009

8. The Gallows in Gold Point

Built above the Jail, it is across from the town Saloon.

Gold Point Jail image. Click for full size.

Photographed by Lester J Letson, July 17, 2009

9. Gold Point Jail

Hornsilver Cabin image. Click for full size.

Photographed by Lester J Letson, July 17, 2009

10. Hornsilver Cabin

About a half mile out of town near one of the abandoned mine shafts, this cabin had newspaper from the World War 1 era used as insulation. The mattress and some soda bottles found inside were indications that squatters had lived in these old miner's cabins as recently as the 1970's.

Old Newspaper image. Click for full size.

Photographed by Lester J Letson, July 17, 2009

11. Old Newspaper

Newspaper was wet down and plastered on the insides of the old miner's cabins outside of Hornsilver for insulation in the early 1900's. Here is a photo of some of that newspaper insulation showing it was from the year 1916.

Credits. This page was last revised on May 7, 2026. It was originally submitted on August 10, 2010, by Lester J Letson of Fresno, California. This page has been viewed 3,018 times since then and 52 times this year. It was the Marker of the Week August 22, 2010. Photos: 1, 2. submitted on May 11, 2022, by Craig Baker of Sylmar, California. 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11. submitted on August 10, 2010, by Lester J Letson of Fresno, California. • Syd Whittle was the editor who published this page.