Tonopah in Nye County, Nevada — The American Mountains (Southwest)
"Big" Bill Murphy
Photographed by Chris English, August 25, 2012
1. "Big" Bill Murphy Marker
This statue depicts Big Bill Murphy, hero of the tragic Tonopah Belmont Mine fire that killed 17 miners on February 23, 1911. Murphy went down in the mine cage a number of times to bring up stricken miners.
On the last trip he did not return.
Statue designed and built by Adam Skiles. Dedicated May 28th, 2005
Erected 2005.
Topics. This historical marker is listed in these topic lists: Disasters • Industry & Commerce • Natural Resources. A significant historical month for this entry is February 2009.
Location. 38° 4.052′ N, 117° 13.839′ W. Marker is in Tonopah, Nevada, in Nye County. It is at the intersection of Veterans Memorial Highway (U.S. 6) and Bryan Avenue, on the left when traveling north on Veterans Memorial Highway. Located in front of the post office. Touch for map. Marker is at or near this postal address: 201 Main Street, Tonopah NV 89049, 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: Belmont Mine Fire Mural (a few steps from this marker); Mizpah Hotel (within shouting distance of this marker); Suffrage Leader (within shouting distance of this marker); Tonopah (about 500 feet away, measured in a direct line); Jim and Belle Butler
this page online
More about this marker. This marker is one of a series of sculptural monuments in Tonopah created by Adam Skiles.
Photographed by Chris English, August 25, 2012
2. "Big" Bill Murphy Marker, Sculpture, and Mural
A Mine Fire mural is located across the street. See "Nearby Marker".
Photographed by Lester J Letson, September 20, 2012
3. "Big" Bill Murphy Sculpture
Photographed by Lester J Letson, September 20, 2012
4. "Big" Bill Murphy's Headstone
At the Old Tonopah Cemetery, which was closed in 1911 after the interment of the miners killed in the disaster. A new cemetery was opened down the road.
Credits. This page was last revised on May 8, 2026. It was originally submitted on September 7, 2012, by Chris English of Phoenix, Arizona. This page has been viewed 4,434 times since then and 159 times this year. Last updated on January 3, 2013, by Lester J Letson of Fresno, California. Photos: 1, 2. submitted on September 7, 2012, by Chris English of Phoenix, Arizona. 3. submitted on December 6, 2012, by Lester J Letson of Fresno, California. 4. submitted on September 27, 2012, by Lester J Letson of Fresno, California. • Bill Pfingsten was the editor who published this page.
