Near Goldfield in Esmeralda County, Nevada — The American Mountains (Southwest)

Palmetto

Photographed by Erik Bigglestone

1. Palmetto Marker

Inscription. Thinking that local Joshua trees were related to palm trees, the 1866 prospectors named the mining camp Palmetto. Although a local 12-stamp mill worked the silver ore, the town died for lack of profitable material. New discoveries in the late 1860's brought Palmetto back to life, but once again meager deposits caused its demise.

New prospecting in 1903 caused Palmetto to grow to a town of 200 tents on a platted town site. At its peak in 1906, the commercial street contained all the necessary mining camp businesses.

Local miners drifted away in Autumn, 1906. Mining, on a lease basis, has been minimal since that time. An important talc deposit lies nearby.

Erected by State Historic Preservation Office. (Marker Number 158.)

Topics. This historical marker is listed in these topic lists: Industry & Commerce • Settlements & Settlers. A significant historical year for this entry is 1866.

Location. 37° 26.636′ N, 117° 41.678′ W. Marker is near Goldfield, Nevada, in Esmeralda County. It is on Nevada Route 266, 31 miles west of U.S. 95, on the right when traveling west. 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

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as the crow flies: Pigeon Spring (approx. 2.2 miles away); Lida (approx. 10.7 miles away).

Photographed by Erik Bigglestone, August 10, 2010

2. Palmetto Marker

Palmetto Ruins image. Click for full size.

Photographed by Erik Bigglestone, August 10, 2010

3. Palmetto Ruins

Photographed by Erik Bigglestone, August 10, 2010

4. Palmetto Ruins

Palmetto Marker incorrectly numbered. image. Click for full size.

Photographed by Paulette Nelson, June 13, 2019

5. Palmetto Marker incorrectly numbered.

Although the State Historical Marker number clearly says No. 145, the sign is numbered incorrectly by the State Historical Preservation Office. All lists of the Nevada Historical Markers indicate the number for Palmetto should be No.158. The highway signs approaching the area also indicate that this is No.158. On the Nevada lists of state historical markers, no. 145 is actually "Unionville (Pershing County)"

Photographed by Lester J Letson, July 18, 2009

6. Palmetto Ruins

Credits. This page was last revised on May 10, 2026. It was originally submitted on September 1, 2010, by Erik Bigglestone of Contra Costa County, California. This page has been viewed 1,402 times since then and 33 times this year. Photos: 1, 2, 3, 4. submitted on September 1, 2010, by Erik Bigglestone of Contra Costa County, California. 5. submitted on June 14, 2019, by Paulette Nelson of N Las Vegas, Nevada. 6. submitted on February 25, 2012, by Lester J Letson of Fresno, California. • Syd Whittle was the editor who published this page.