The days of the Wild West may seem like they’re long gone but there are still a few places in Nevada where you can experience them. However, they do require some searching! This remote ghost town is pretty isolated. Home to just 40 or so people, this place hasn’t seen any action in a long, long time. But that’s exactly what makes it such a great place to visit. If you’re looking for an awesome autumn day trip, look no further. This living ghost town in Nevada is begging to be explored. Experience a bit of Nevada’s early days and check it out.
Looking at it today, it may be hard to believe that the little town of Ione in central Nevada was once a bustling metropolis. Booming to life in 1863, it was home to over 600 people during its peak. However, those days are long gone and what is left is a fascinating time capsule of the past.
Boasting itself as "The Town That Refused To Die", Ione isn't technically a ghost town because people do, in fact, still live here. The population may be miniscule, but the town has held onto a little bit of life throughout all of these years. Today, the town makes for a delightful stroll through Nevada history since many original structures remain.
For instance, back when Ione was at its most populous, the town was given a stipend of $800 to construct Nye County's very first courthouse. That courthouse can still be seen to this day. A lot of the town's original buildings still stand, slowly succumbing to the effects of time.
Ione was originally formed in the 1860s after silver was discovered in the Shoshone Range. A lot of the area's mining was done near communities like Union and Grantsville, but Ione came into its own as a trade and milling center.
It might surprise you to learn that during Ione's early days, the town did very well for itself. In fact, it even held the title of Nye County's seat. However, these days of prosperity were short lived. The town of Belmont was constructed shortly after and held even more promise than Ione. Many people had relocated to Belmont by the late 1860s.
In February 1867, the county seat was officially moved to Belmont. The town of Ione would be known as just another victim to the constantly evolving mining boom. Towns are built, silver is mined, and the town is abandoned. The cycle repeats itself over and over again throughout Nevada history.
Ione went through another slight boom during the 1890s when a brand new 10-stamp mill was constructed. However, it wasn't enough to revive the town. The value of silver dropped substantially in 1898 and the town was almost entirely abandoned. Almost.
Although Ione is just a tiny little part of Nevada's mining history, there's a reason people have stuck around for all these years. As you stroll through town, you'll feel as if you've stepped inside some sort of time machine. It's as if the outside world can't touch Ione. Here, it's always the 19th century.
Have you visited this iconic ghost town in Nevada? This place is really like a time capsule of the Wild West. Do you love exploring Nevada’s early towns? Check out this Ghost Town Road Trip Through Nevada for more abandoned destinations worth checking out.
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