Site: Hamilton
Alternate Name: Cave City
County, State: White Pine County, Nevada
Years of Occupation: 1868-1931
Status of Site: Open
Classification: Class 2
Type: Mining
Remnants: Cabins, stone walls, brick walls, smoke stack, extensive mining equipment
GPS Coordinate: 39.2530 N 115.4859 W
Date of Last Visit: June, 2022
When discoveries were made on Treasure Hill in 1867 the inhospitable climate of Treasure Hill left much to be desired for a townsite. The search for a better site led to the organization of Hamilton in 1868, at the base of Treasure Hill. With the rich discoveries of Treasure Hill fueling the “White Pine Fever” the population grew to 600 within months.
The following spring of 1869 the boom was on! Before summer of 1869 the population had swelled to 10,000. When White Pine County was organized that spring Hamilton was selected as the county seat.
At the peak of White Pine Fever the town boasted over 100 saloons, 60 general stores, theaters, dance halls, skating rinks and fraternal orders.
The pinching out of the rich ore veins spelled Hamiltons demise. It was hastened by a disastrous fire in 1873. By 1880 only 3 saloons and 2 stores were still operating. And in 1887 the county seat was moved to Ely. Hamilton hung on by a thread up until about 1931 when the post office closed.
An earthquake in modern times toppled most of the up until then impressive remains of many of Hamiltons largest buildings. Today, mostly rubble, walls, foundations and mining equipment mark the site – along with some modern structures related to more modern mining activities.
Further Reading: Shawn Hall, Romancing Nevada’s Past
Directions to Get There: From Ely, take US 50 west for 37 miles. Turn left and follow for 9 miles.
Alternate Name: Cave City
County, State: White Pine County, Nevada
Years of Occupation: 1868-1931
Status of Site: Open
Classification: Class 2
Type: Mining
Remnants: Cabins, stone walls, brick walls, smoke stack, extensive mining equipment
GPS Coordinate: 39.2530 N 115.4859 W
Date of Last Visit: June, 2022
When discoveries were made on Treasure Hill in 1867 the inhospitable climate of Treasure Hill left much to be desired for a townsite. The search for a better site led to the organization of Hamilton in 1868, at the base of Treasure Hill. With the rich discoveries of Treasure Hill fueling the “White Pine Fever” the population grew to 600 within months.
The following spring of 1869 the boom was on! Before summer of 1869 the population had swelled to 10,000. When White Pine County was organized that spring Hamilton was selected as the county seat.
At the peak of White Pine Fever the town boasted over 100 saloons, 60 general stores, theaters, dance halls, skating rinks and fraternal orders.
The pinching out of the rich ore veins spelled Hamiltons demise. It was hastened by a disastrous fire in 1873. By 1880 only 3 saloons and 2 stores were still operating. And in 1887 the county seat was moved to Ely. Hamilton hung on by a thread up until about 1931 when the post office closed.
An earthquake in modern times toppled most of the up until then impressive remains of many of Hamiltons largest buildings. Today, mostly rubble, walls, foundations and mining equipment mark the site – along with some modern structures related to more modern mining activities.
Further Reading: Shawn Hall, Romancing Nevada’s Past
Directions to Get There: From Ely, take US 50 west for 37 miles. Turn left and follow for 9 miles.