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

"Big" Bill Murphy

Photographed By Chris English, August 25, 2012

1. "Big" Bill Murphy Marker

Inscription. Click to hear the inscription.

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. Marker is at the intersection of Veterans Memorial Highway (U.S. 6) and Bryan Avenue, on the left when traveling north on Veterans Memorial Highway. Sculpture is 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.

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

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(within shouting distance of this marker); Tonopah (about 500 feet away, measured in a direct line); Jim and Belle Butler (approx. 0.2 miles away); The Leasers (approx. 0.2 miles away); Stopes (approx. 0.2 miles away); Mizpah Mine Powder Magazine (approx. 0.2 miles away). Touch for a list and map of all markers in Tonopah.

More about this marker. This marker is one of a series of sculptural monuments in Tonopah created by Adam Skiles.

"Big" Bill Murphy Marker, Memorial Sculpture and Mural image. Click for full size.

Photographed By Chris English, August 25, 2012

2. "Big" Bill Murphy Marker, Memorial Sculpture and Mural

A mural is located across the street, NW of the sculpture.
See "Nearby Marker".

"Big" Bill Murphy's Headstone image. Click for full size.

Photographed By Lester J Letson, September 20, 2012

3. "Big" Bill Murphy's Headstone

Big Bill's headstone at the Old Tonopah Cemetery. The cemetery was closed in 1911 soon after the interment of the miners killed in the disaster and a new cemetery was opened down the road.

"Big" Bill Murphy Sculpture image. Click for full size.

Photographed By Lester J Letson, September 20, 2012

4. "Big" Bill Murphy Sculpture

Credits. This page was last revised on June 16, 2016. It was originally submitted on September 7, 2012, by Chris English of Phoenix, Arizona. This page has been viewed 1,814 times since then and 275 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 September 27, 2012, by Lester J Letson of Fresno, California. 4. submitted on December 6, 2012, by Lester J Letson of Fresno, California. • Bill Pfingsten was the editor who published this page.