If you’re tired of the hustle and bustle of Las Vegas and Nevada’s other major cities, then a quiet trip to the middle of Nevada just might be the perfect sightseeing destination for you! Located at the halfway point of the “Loneliest Road in America” (in Nevada) is the small and charming town of Austin. Born from the mining days of the 1800s, Austin is a gem hiding in plain view. Take a trip off the beaten and busy path and get ready to see Nevada in a whole new light!
Find Austin hugging the western slopes of the Toiyabe Range. Hills and valleys give this town its unique picturesque and peaceful look, and it's easy to see why it is a relaxing place. Austin’s small population of no more than 200 residents means that much of life happens downtown along its historic Main Street dotted with tasty restaurants, interesting shops, and much more!
Once a silver mining town, Austin still holds much resemblance to its old west past. The silver rush gave way to the Pony Express and the town was officially incorporated in 1862. Around this time, people flocked to the area and the population topped 10,000!
However, Austin’s mining days were coming to an end by 1880, just when plans to connect Austin with the transcontinental railroad via the Nevada Central Railroad were being made. The city was disincorporated and mining operations ceased in 1887.
Mining would reappear in smaller scales in the years that followed, but nothing could compare to the town’s original silver rush.
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Visitors today will find themselves out in Nevada’s open west. Long gone are the days of the frontier, but the wild west is still palpable as you make your way around town. History is alive and well here – there are almost a dozen Austin spots listed on the National Register of Historic Places!
View the history Lander County Courthouse as you explore Main Street in Austin. Built in 1871, it still is used for its original purpose today.
One of the town’s towering attractions is Stokes Castle. Built in 1897, this three-story stone castle was built by a mine developer and was to be his summer home. After residing in the castle for only a short time, the Stokes family gave up their mining ambitions and left, never to return.
The castle was abandoned until a member of the Stokes family purchased it in 1956. It has passed through more ownerships but is currently operated by the Austin Historical Society. To learn more about visiting Stokes Castle, contact the Austin Area Chamber of Commerce at (775) 964-2200.
Jewelry lovers will adore the variety of turquoise pieces found at the Little Blue Bird Turquoise store. The vibrant blue mineral is mined locally in the area. You can also find loads of antiques and souvenirs at the store, too!
Little Blue Bird Turquoise is located at 45 Main. Austin, NV 89310.
Wet your whistle at the International Café and Bar located on Main Street. Feel like you’ve truly stepped inside a time capsule at this old west establishment that features a bar, pool table, and a jukebox.
International Café and Bar is located at 59 Main St, Austin, NV 89310.
A trip to Austin, Nevada would not be complete without an excursion to Berlin-Ichthyosaur State Park where you will be delighted by large fossils and clear petroglyphs!
Stop by Berlin-Ichthyosaur State Park to see a ghost town built in the 1890s! Take a self-guided tour through the Berlin Townsite where original buildings are still standing. Truly a historical wonder preserved in time and a Nevada treasure, you will surely want to see it for yourself.
For those traveling down U.S. Route 50, the small town can appear like a mirage. Take a trip to see Austin for yourself, and you’ll be glad to have stumbled upon this small town in the vast open landscape of Nevada’s loneliest road in America.
