One of the best things about living in Nevada is diving deep into our state’s unique history. Our state is unlike any other in the regard that there are a countless number of places where you can go to learn about the Silver State’s early days. Whether it be old saloons, fields of petroglyphs, or even an authentic Wild West town, there’s always something new to explore. How many of these Old Nevada destinations have you checked off your list?
Just outside of Fallon, Grimes Point is as old as it gets. Here you'll find a massive field of petroglyphs from Native Americans dating back to 8,000 or more years ago. This is Old Nevada at its oldest. Visitors of Grimes Point can get an up-close view of these amazing carvings by some of our state's very first inhabitants.
South of the town of Silver Springs is an underrated state park that contains an excellent preservation of an old United States Army Fort. The fort also acted as a waystation along the one-and-only Pony Express dating back to the 1860s. What remains of the fort is just a bunch of dilapidated ruins. The park contains plenty of interpretive signs containing information about this incredibly historic spot.
The town of Tonopah is located about halfway in between Las Vegas and Reno, and it represents one of the earliest communities in Nevada. Tonopah contains a ton of attractions that will give you a good taste of what it was like to live in the Old West. Explore the incredible Tonopah Historic Mining Park, take a stroll through the old cemetery, and be sure to spend a night in the iconic Mitzpah Hotel.
Located beside Lake Tahoe is the Thunderbird Lodge National Historic Site. The lodge and gardens are open to the public for tours Tuesday through Saturday, and they provide an excellent glimpse into what is considered one of the most amazing historic structures in our state. Constructed in the 1930s, the lodge is truly a remarkable sight.
There's no better place to get a feel for the Wild West than good ol' Virginia City. This town is by far one of the coolest towns in the state for the fact that it represents an authentic mining boomtown from the late 19th century. Stroll through the town's historic district while taking in the sight of the marvelous Victorian buildings.
Ever wondered what it was like to hang out in an authentic Western saloon? Well, Nevada is full of them. However, the Pioneer Saloon is the most fascinating of them all. Built in 1913, this saloon has seen a LOT. Here you can grab a drink and marvel at the fact that actual miners and prospectors did the very same thing over a century ago.
Located in the heart of Elko is Sherman Station. This place was originally constructed in the 1870s and played a lot of roles over the years. It started off as a homestead but it also served as a stageshop, post office, and community gathering place. Today, the structure gives you a fascinating insight into what it was like to live in an original Nevada homestead.
