Tonopah in Nye County, Nevada — The American Mountains (Southwest)

The Tonopah Mining Boom

Photographed By Barry Swackhamer, September 16, 2010

1. The Tonopah Mining Boom Marker

Inscription. In 1900. Jim Butler stopped at a site known as Tonapah, or Little Water, in the Western Shoshone language. Taking a few rock samples, he discovered a mine that led to one of the most important mineral finds of the early twentieth century. As the extent of the bonanza became known, miners and prospectors flocked to the area.

The Tonopah boom revitalized the mining West. From 1900 to 1910, newspaper reporters kept busy writing about spectacular new mining camps throughout southern Nevada, including Goldfield, Rhyolite, Kawich, Manhattan, Round Mountain, Wonder, and Fairview. Many proved to be exaggerated but Tonopah continued.

The Tonopah mines eventually shipped over 5,000,000 tons of ore. Through a new system called leasing, stock issuing corporations were created, bringing in needed capital to promote the new mines including the Desert Queen, Mizpah, Silver Top, and Tonopah Extension.

Erected this 18th day of July, 2009 by the Transsierra Roisterous Alliance of Senior Humbugs and the Queho Posse. Lucinda Jane Saunders, Julia C. Bulette and Snowhoe Thompson Chapters of E. Clampus Vitus in conjunction with the Town of Tonopah, The Tonapah Historical Mining Park and Tonopah Sand and Gravel.

Erected 2009 by E Clampus Vitus/Tonopah Historic Mining Park.

Topics and series. This historical

Paid Advertisement

Click on the ad for more information.
Please report objectionable advertising to the Editor.

Click or scan to see
this page online

marker is listed in this topic list: Industry & Commerce. In addition, it is included in the E Clampus Vitus series list. A significant historical month for this entry is July 2009.

Location. 38° 4.183′ N, 117° 13.556′ W. Marker is in Tonopah, Nevada, in Nye County. Marker can be reached from McCulloch Avenue. This marker is located in the Tonopah Historic Mining Park, behind the Visitor's Center next to the picnic tables. Touch for map. Marker is at or near this postal address: 520 McCullock Avenue, Tonopah NV 89049, United States of America. Touch for directions.

Other nearby markers. At least 8 other markers are within walking distance of this marker. Silver Vein (within shouting distance of this marker); Mine To Market (within shouting distance of this marker); Glory Hole (within shouting distance of this marker); A Miner's Life (about 300 feet away, measured in a direct line); Silver Top Mine (about 300 feet away); Belle's Mine (about 500 feet away); Haul Out The Riches (about 500 feet away); The Railroads (about 600 feet away). Touch for a list and map of all markers in Tonopah.

Also see . . . Tonopah, Nevada - Wikipedia. (Submitted on January 21, 2012, by Barry Swackhamer of Brentwood, California.)

The Tonopah Mining Boom Marker dedication image. Click for full size.

Photographed By Lester J Letson, July 17, 2009

2. The Tonopah Mining Boom Marker dedication

Marker seen just after the tarp was removed on the day it was dedicated in July, 2009.

The Tonopah Historic Mining Park image. Click for full size.

Photographed By Barry Swackhamer, September 16, 2010

3. The Tonopah Historic Mining Park

The Grizzly in Tonopah Histoirc Mining Park image. Click for full size.

Photographed By Barry Swackhamer, September 16, 2010

4. The Grizzly in Tonopah Histoirc Mining Park

The Silver Top Mine Headframe in Tonopah Histoirc Mining Park image. Click for full size.

Photographed By Barry Swackhamer, September 16, 2010

5. The Silver Top Mine Headframe in Tonopah Histoirc Mining Park

The Mizpah Mine & Hoist House in Tonopah Histoirc Mining Park image. Click for full size.

Photographed By Barry Swackhamer, September 16, 2010

6. The Mizpah Mine & Hoist House in Tonopah Histoirc Mining Park

The Hoist Engine in the Mitzpah Mine Hoist House image. Click for full size.

Photographed By Barry Swackhamer, September 16, 2010

7. The Hoist Engine in the Mitzpah Mine Hoist House

The Glory Hole in Tonopah Histoirc Mining Park image. Click for full size.

Photographed By Barry Swackhamer, September 16, 2010

8. The Glory Hole in Tonopah Histoirc Mining Park

The Glory Hole was created in 1922 when an underground mine slope collapsed. Fortunately no one was injured.

Belle and Jim Butler image. Click for full size.

Photographed By Lester J Letson, July 17, 2009

9. Belle and Jim Butler

Local artist Adam Skiles sculpted these metal art pieces from steel and donated them to Tonopah in 2007. The depict Belle and Jim Butler, the husband and wife team that staked many of the mine locations above the town of Tonopah. The Mizpah mine is named for Belle Butler.

The town of Tonopah image. Click for full size.

Photographed By Lester J Letson, July 17, 2009

10. The town of Tonopah

Picture of Tonopah from atop a pile of mine tailings. The red brick building visible in the center is the Mizpah Hotel, named after the mine of the same name.

Credits. This page was last revised on October 28, 2020. It was originally submitted on January 21, 2012, by Barry Swackhamer of Brentwood, California. This page has been viewed 1,085 times since then and 37 times this year. Last updated on February 20, 2012, by Lester J Letson of Fresno, California. Photos: 1. submitted on January 21, 2012, by Barry Swackhamer of Brentwood, California. 2. submitted on February 20, 2012, by Lester J Letson of Fresno, California. 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8. submitted on January 21, 2012, by Barry Swackhamer of Brentwood, California. 9, 10. submitted on February 20, 2012, by Lester J Letson of Fresno, California. • Bill Pfingsten was the editor who published this page.