Tonopah in Nye County, Nevada — The American Mountains (Southwest)
Teamsters
Photographed by Trev Meed, 2014
1. Teamsters Marker
Once the ore was mined and sacked, it had to be hauled to the railroad. That task was entrusted to the Teamsters, so called because they drove teams of mules, horses or both. Each Teamster was assisted by a Swamper, who watered and fed the team at each stop on the 60 mile trip to the railhead at Sodaville. The receipt (right) shows that it was a 5 day trip for a team with a 100 sacks of ore weighing over five tons.
photo captions:
A Horse-Powered Whim Hoist is pictured in the foreground. In the distance, the teamster (mounted), swamper (next to wagon), and big team stand ready to take on a load of ore.
Long-Line Hitch or Big Teams: Large freight wagons, often hitched together, could hold up to ten tons and were pulled by teams of 16, 18, 20 or more animals.
Above: A long-line hitch prepares to load up for the trip to the railhead in 1906. Can you spot where this photo was taken?
Erected by Tonopah Historic Mining Park.
Topics. This historical marker is listed in these topic lists: Industry & Commerce • Settlements & Settlers. A significant historical year for this entry is 1906.
Location. 38° 4.218′ N, 117° 13.773′ W. Marker is in Tonopah, Nevada, in Nye County. It can be reached from
this page online
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: Stopes (here, next to this marker); The Leasers (here, next to this marker); Mizpah Mine Powder Magazine (a few steps from this marker); Framing Building (a few steps from this marker); Undiscovered Silver Vein (a few steps from this marker); Verdi Lumber Company Coal Bin (a few steps from this marker); Into the Depths (a few steps from this marker); The Hoistmen (about 300 feet away, measured in a direct line). Touch for a list and map of all markers in Tonopah.
More about this marker. The location shown is not correct. Please help by correcting the location of this marker and the others nearby.
Also see . . . Tonopah Mining Park Brochure & Map. (Submitted on May 8, 2026, by Craig Baker of Sylmar, California.)
Photographed by Denise Boose, October 10, 2021
2. Teamsters Marker
Credits. This page was last revised on May 8, 2026. It was originally submitted on October 14, 2015, by Trev Meed of Round Mountain, Nevada. This page has been viewed 466 times since then and 18 times this year. Photos: 1. submitted on October 14, 2015, by Trev Meed of Round Mountain, Nevada. 2. submitted on December 12, 2021, by Denise Boose of Tehachapi, California. • Andrew Ruppenstein was the editor who published this page.
Editor’s want-list for this marker. • Please correct the coordinates/location. • • Can you help?
