Nipton in San Bernardino County, California — The American West (Pacific Coastal)
Nipton
Photographed By Bill Kirchner, March 15, 2010
1. Nipton Marker
Erected 1999 by Billy Holcomb Chapter and Queho Posse of E Clampus Vitus. (Marker Number 99.)
Topics and series. This historical marker is listed in these topic lists: Notable Places • Railroads & Streetcars. In addition, it is included in the E Clampus Vitus series list. A significant historical date for this entry is February 9, 1905.
Location. 35° 28.006′ N, 115° 16.329′ W. Marker is in Nipton, California, in San Bernardino County. Marker is on
this page online
Other nearby markers. At least 1 other marker is within 16 miles of this marker, measured as the crow flies. Mining Town of Hart (approx. 15.4 miles away).
More about this marker. Nipton was founded by Frank (Harry) Trehearne who built the store, the hotel and later tent bungalows. The town serviced the nearby mine, The Nippeno, from which it derived its name, as well as several other mines and cattle ranches. The town was also a cattle loading station on the Union Pacific Railroad. East of Nipton on the way to Searchlight, Nevada is one of the nicest forests of Joshua Trees to be found.
SOURCE: Billy Holcomb Chapter 1069 35th Anniversary Plaque Book by Phillip Holdaway
Photographed By Bill Kirchner, March 15, 2010
2. Nipton Marker
Photographed By Bill Kirchner, March 15, 2010
3. Rear of Nipton Marker
Photographed By Bill Kirchner, March 15, 2010
4. From Claim to Fame
On Kiosk about 30 feet north of Nipton Marker:
Two wagon trails crossed here in this wide desert valley, marking the spot where a town would take form in the 1870's. The settlement evolved over time with the ever-changing characters that lived and worked in the Ivanpah Valley.
On January 1, 1900, a gold seeker from Pennsylvania named S.D. Karns, staked perhaps the earliest claim in the area, calling it "Nippeno". The miners took up residence here at the crossroads, which became know as "Nippeno Camp." Soon, the town boasted a railroad station, hotel, and stage coach stop. English immigrant Harry Trehearne shepherded the town's development through the 1940's. After his death and the closing of the railroad station, the town went into decades of decline. In 1985, the Freeman family purchased the deserted town and restored it as a destination for tourist and a home for local miners.
Two wagon trails crossed here in this wide desert valley, marking the spot where a town would take form in the 1870's. The settlement evolved over time with the ever-changing characters that lived and worked in the Ivanpah Valley.
On January 1, 1900, a gold seeker from Pennsylvania named S.D. Karns, staked perhaps the earliest claim in the area, calling it "Nippeno". The miners took up residence here at the crossroads, which became know as "Nippeno Camp." Soon, the town boasted a railroad station, hotel, and stage coach stop. English immigrant Harry Trehearne shepherded the town's development through the 1940's. After his death and the closing of the railroad station, the town went into decades of decline. In 1985, the Freeman family purchased the deserted town and restored it as a destination for tourist and a home for local miners.
Photographed By Bill Kirchner, March 15, 2010
5. Clara Bow
On Kiosk about 30 feet north of Nipton Marker:
One of the Hotel Nipton's frequent guests during the 1920s was Clara Bow, the famed "IT" girl of the silent film era. She and her husband, Hollywood cowboy Rex Bell, bought the nearby Walking Box Ranch as a retreat from the pressures of Hollywood.
One of the Hotel Nipton's frequent guests during the 1920s was Clara Bow, the famed "IT" girl of the silent film era. She and her husband, Hollywood cowboy Rex Bell, bought the nearby Walking Box Ranch as a retreat from the pressures of Hollywood.
Photographed By Bill Kirchner, March 15, 2010
6. From "Nippeno Camp" to "Nipton Station"
On Kiosk about 30 feet north of Nipton Marker:
Nevada Senator William Clark was determined to connect Salt Lake City to Los Angeles by rail. In 1905 his company completed the San Pedro, Los Angles and Salt Lake Railroad, with Nippeno Camp as a whistle stop.
The railroad brought new life to the community and supplies arrived and cattle were shipped to Salt Lake and Los Angeles.
In 1910, the line was merged into the Union Pacific Railroad and the name changed from Nippeno to Nipton. The station was abandoned in the 1950s.
Nevada Senator William Clark was determined to connect Salt Lake City to Los Angeles by rail. In 1905 his company completed the San Pedro, Los Angles and Salt Lake Railroad, with Nippeno Camp as a whistle stop.
The railroad brought new life to the community and supplies arrived and cattle were shipped to Salt Lake and Los Angeles.
In 1910, the line was merged into the Union Pacific Railroad and the name changed from Nippeno to Nipton. The station was abandoned in the 1950s.
Photographed By Bill Kirchner, March 15, 2010
7. Harry Trehearne's "Townstead"
On Kiosk about 30 feet north of Nipton Marker:
Harry Trehearne (left) and his wife, Ella (behind the counter) at the old Trehearne Store, Nipton, California, April 26, 1941. A miner from England, Harry Trehearne was the principal developer of the town of Nipton from his arrival in 1922 until his death in 1949. Trehearne opened a general store, restored the Hotel Nipton, and dug the first water well. He was also active in many local mine explorations and developments.
Harry Trehearne (left) and his wife, Ella (behind the counter) at the old Trehearne Store, Nipton, California, April 26, 1941. A miner from England, Harry Trehearne was the principal developer of the town of Nipton from his arrival in 1922 until his death in 1949. Trehearne opened a general store, restored the Hotel Nipton, and dug the first water well. He was also active in many local mine explorations and developments.
Photographed By Bill Kirchner, March 15, 2010
8. Hotel Nipton (shown below in 1939)
On Kiosk about 30 feet north of Nipton Marker:
Built between 1904 and 1910 to serve as a stopover for the railroad, local lore holds that the hotel was originally constructed out of railroad timbers and rammed earth. By 1918, it had seen enough wear and tear to be described as "old" by guest Roy Port of Ivanpah Valley. Harry Trehearne repaired the Hotel Nipton in 1924 and hosted an eclectic clientele. The Freeman family refurbished it again in 1985, and now operates a bed and breakfast at this retreat to simpler times.
Built between 1904 and 1910 to serve as a stopover for the railroad, local lore holds that the hotel was originally constructed out of railroad timbers and rammed earth. By 1918, it had seen enough wear and tear to be described as "old" by guest Roy Port of Ivanpah Valley. Harry Trehearne repaired the Hotel Nipton in 1924 and hosted an eclectic clientele. The Freeman family refurbished it again in 1985, and now operates a bed and breakfast at this retreat to simpler times.
Photographed By Bill Kirchner, March 15, 2010
9. Hotel Nipton (today)
Credits. This page was last revised on June 16, 2016. It was originally submitted on March 28, 2010, by Bill Kirchner of Tucson, Arizona. This page has been viewed 1,787 times since then and 59 times this year. Last updated on November 3, 2014, by Michael Kindig of Elk Grove, California. Photos: 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9. submitted on March 28, 2010, by Bill Kirchner of Tucson, Arizona. • Bill Pfingsten was the editor who published this page.
