9 Old-World Towns to Visit in Nevada

During the mid-19th century, settlers flocked to Nevada in search of riches during its gold and silver boom. Towns prospered, attracting thousands of businessmen and miners. However, as the years went by, many people abandoned these desert settlements, leaving behind ghost towns, deserted mines, and artifacts, remnants of daily life. The following eight towns, despite the passing of time, have preserved Nevada’s history, from prehistoric indigenous peoples to gold booms and old Buckaroo traditions, sharing the state's legacy and heritage.

Boulder City

Despite the region’s harsh and arid climate, Boulder City was founded in the early 20th century to house the workforce for the nearby Hoover Dam project. Today it is home to nearly 15,000 residents. Visitors can reach this marvel of engineering with a short 10-minute drive and peer over its steep, 900-foot rise. Eldorado Canyon, located near Boulder City, is home to the historic Techatticup Mine and an old mining camp, which includes abandoned miner cabins, a store, a stamp mill, and a bunkhouse, which visitors can explore on a tour. After touring some of the surrounding historic and natural beauty of Boulder City, visitors can grab a souvenir at Sherman's House of Antiques, which sells vintage clothing, classic toys, fine China, and more.

Ely

Originally established in the 1870s as a stagecoach stop and trading post, Ely today sits along the “Loneliest Road in America” and is home to just under 4,000 residents. Upon arrival, visitors can take a train ride along the Nevada Northern, a well-preserved railway from 1905. History enthusiasts love hunting for arborglyphs, petroglyphs, and pictographs around town, with the arborglyphs—tree carvings by sheepherders—being especially fascinating, as they risk disappearing at any moment due to fires, aging, and disease. The Renaissance Village is also worth a visit, featuring historic shotgun houses, a barn, and murals that showcase the region’s history, all offering visitors a glimpse into the town’s past.

Eureka

A group of Silver prospectors founded Eureka in 1864, with people coming internationally in the 1880s in hopes of fortunes from the nearby gold and silver mines. Today, less than 500 residents remain. Despite the town’s tiny population, there is an abundance of historic sites to see around town, including the General Store from 1882, the Tannehill Log Cabin from 1864, the Eureka Palisade Train Car from 1875, and J&S Saloon from 1873. Hungry visitors can also grab a bite at one of the town’s historic restaurants, such as Owl Hall Saloon Roadhouse and Gambling Hall, whose structure dates back to 1880 and now serves homestyle meals and steaks.

Hawthorne

Nicknamed 'America’s Patriotic Home,' Hawthorne houses the world’s largest artillery storage facility and hosts a massive annual Armed Forces Day celebration. Visitors arriving in town can spot the 2,427 artillery storage bunkers scattered across the surrounding hills. Numerous dirt roads lead from the town to ghost towns, wildlife areas, and fishing spots. The Hawthorne Ordnance Museum holds one of the world’s largest collections of bombs, rockets, inert missiles, and nuclear weapons, while the Mineral County Museum explores the region’s mining and western past through exhibits of 19th-century mission bells, vintage clothing, Victorian furniture, mineral displays, and more.

Virginia City

During the 19th century, Virginia City was a prominent industrial mining town after the discovery of silver ore. Today, less than a thousand people reside in the town, preserving the history that remains. Visitors can learn more about the town’s rich mining past by touring the Chollar Mine. Many museums share other historical perspectives in town, such as the Courthouse Slammer and Storey County Museum, the state’s oldest operating courthouse, and the Mackay Mansion Museum, once the home of a millionaire. Those venturing a bit further out can visit the Silver Terrace Cemetery, which features a variety of period-style gravestones crafted from wood, metal, and stone.

Austin

Also lying along Route 50, the “Lonliest Road in America”, Austin was founded as a silver mining town and now has a population of around 500 residents. Despite its small population, it has a bustling main street, lined with historic motels, gas stations, bed and breakfasts, restaurants, and more. Stokes Castle is another popular historic attraction, a three-story tower made of granite in 1897. Just a 30-minute car ride away, visitors can camp, hike, or picnic in the Hickison Petroglyph Recreation Area while searching for ancient, Native American petroglyphs carved on rocks.

Winnemucca

The construction of the Transcontinental Railroad in the 1860s put Winnemucca on the map. Today, it is rich in Buckaroo History and is affectionately nicknamed as the “Friendliest Town in Nevada.” Travelers can explore its Buckaroo history in the Buckaroo Hall of Fame & Heritage Museum, which exhibits western memorabilia and saddles, brands, and chaps displays. The Humboldt Museum travels even further back in time, exhibiting fossils and a wooly mammoth skeleton uncovered in the nearby Black Rock Desert. 40 miles north of Winnemucca, Paradise Valley is a living ghost town, home to historic buildings and saloons that feel like a step back in time to the 1880s.

Goldfield

Once a gold mining camp reaching a population of 20,000 Goldfield has since become nearly abandoned, home to only about 250 residents. The Goldfield Hotel is one of the most prominent historic landmarks in town, dating back to 1902 as a prosperous hotel but not abandoned, and sometimes considered haunted. The Historic Esmeralda County Courthouse is still in operation, allowing visitors to step inside and view its original lamps and furniture. A trip to Goldfield is not complete without visiting one of its old mines, such as the Florence Mine, previously one of Goldfield’s most successful operations, where visitors today can tour the mine’s machinery and grounds.

Lovelock

Once submerged beneath a glacial lake, the land of Lovelock is rich in archaeological sites and ancient caves. Those interested in the area’s archaeology should visit Lovelock Cave, regarded as one of the continent’s most significant archaeological sites, where the Northern Paiute people once stored numerous artifacts. The Marzen House Museum offers another excellent glimpse into the town’s history, housed in a building dating back to 1875 and featuring artifacts that showcase the town's early days. Heading into the great outdoors, visitors can spend the day out at the Lahontan State Recreation Area, once the site of the great prehistoric lake, but now filled with fishing, camping, hiking, and watersports opportunities.

Final Thoughts

While many people associate Nevada simply with Las Vegas, the state’s small, historic towns tell a story that is almost impossible to explore in the big cities. Fortune, riches, and Western traditions are just a few of the stories that these small towns tell. If you find yourself itching to step back in time and explore the United States’ pioneering and prosperous past, do not hesitate to book a trip to one of these fascinating towns.