Tonopah, Nevada is a historic mining town located between Las Vegas and Reno. It’s a small town with a population of only around 3,000, but it’s got a fascinating history. The city of Tonopah was the site of one of the richest booms in the West during the year 1900, when the prospector Jim Butler accidentally came across a discovery of gold and silver.

Back on May 19, 1900, Butler picked up an extremely heavy rock to throw at his burro when it got loose from him. This is when he discovered that he actually stumbled upon the second-richest silver strike in Nevada history. News of the discovery traveled quickly and soon prospectors were coming from all over to search the area. Sound after, Butler and his wife filed eight claims near the springs. By the summer of 1901, the mines around Tonopah, Nevada had already produced about $750,000 worth of gold and silver.

Curious to know more about the city of Tonopah? Check out a few things to do in Tonopah, Nevada:

Depending on what direction you're coming from, you'll need to take I-95 north or south to reach the city of Tonopah. There's so much to do in this small town, and you can easily spend the day, or even a weekend, here.
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By 1907, the city of Tonopah was a bustling metropolitan area, with modern hotels, electric and water companies, five banks, multiple schools, and tons of other buildings. From 1900 to 1921, the ore produced in the mines at Tonopah was worth nearly $121 million.
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Part of the history of Tonopah includes The Mizpah Mine, which you can visit when you go to the Tonopah Historic Mining Park .
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Because the mining park property was abandoned and became a safety hazard, the town of Tonopah, Nevada took control of it and turned it into a park, with a self-guided tour, museum, and gift shop. The purpose of the Tonopah Historic Mining Park is to preserve the history of the local area and to educate the public about the history of the city of Tonopah.

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One of the most popular things to do in Tonopah, Nevada is to visit the Clown Motel. Nicknamed "America's spookiest hotel," it opened up in 1985. It's located right next door to the Tonopah Cemetery and is said to be one of the most haunted places in Nevada.
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As if staying in a clown-filled hotel isn't frightening enough, the Clown Motel sits right next to an allegedly-haunted cemetery. The Clown Motel features more than 600 clowns, and the Tonopah Cemetery contains the graves of miners, many of whom died in tragic ways.
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Several motel guests have reported seeing spooky clowns and even the ghosts of miners during their stay.
Oddly enough, the Clown Motel isn't the only spooky hotel in the city of Tonopah! You can also find the Mizpah Hotel here.
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At five stories tall, this was the tallest building in Nevada until 1929. The historic hotel is supposedly haunted by a few prostitutes from its early days. The most famous ghost here is nicknamed the "Lady in Red" - she's known to touch men's hair and rub at it gently. Creepy!

Check out this local news story about the Clown Motel:

Tonopah, Nevada is a mining town with a fascinating (and creepy!) history, but it’s also well-known for its stargazing opportunities. It’s home to one of the most highly-regarded sky parks in Nevada.

Have you ever been to Tonopah or heard any ghost stories about it? Share your experiences in the comments! If you are interested in other spooky ghost towns in Nevada, check out the Nevada ghost town road trip.

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Things To Do In Tonopah, Nevada

Marla S. | December 27, 2022

What are some interesting facts about Tonopah, Nevada? 

In addition to the information shared in this article, take a look at the following interesting facts about Tonopah, Nevada.

  • The town's name is derived from the Shoshoni language.
  • The town was originally a Native American campground.
  • Tonopah, NV is an ideal destination to go hiking, bird watching, off-roading, and other outdoor activities.
  • About 3,000 people live in this unincorporated town.
  • The show Ghost Adventures was filmed in Tonopah, Nevada.

 

Take a look at the history of Tonopah, Nevada to learn more about this unique town.

What are some other interesting places in Nevada? 

Aside from Tonopah, here's an overview of other interesting places in Nevada.

 

What are some restaurants in Tonopah, NV? 

Here are some restaurants to consider dining at after spending the day exploring Tonopah, NV.

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Tonopah, NV 89049, USA