4/15/2014
Goldfield, Nevada
Goldfield, Nevada
Goldfield Nevada was a mining boomtown that developed quickly after gold was discovered in the area in 1902. The current Wikipedia article on Goldfield claims a peak population of 20,000 in 1906. The 1910 census however counted only 4,838 people. The same Wikipedia article claims that Goldfield at one time was the largest city in Nevada. The same 1910 census that counted 4,838 people in Goldfield counted 10,867 people in Reno so I doubt this claim. I do think it's likely that Goldfield's peak population was significantly above 4,838. Goldfield's population declined quickly after 1910 and is now 268. Goldfield only has a few operating businesses. There were no open gas stations in town when I visited in 2014. There was a cafe and a small giftshop called Gloryhole Gifts. Goldfield has several prominent standing historic buildings. The Goldfield Hotel and the Goldfield high school are the largest. Both are empty but are being maintained. The high school is currently being restored. The Goldfield street grid extends for many blocks in all directions away from downtown. Homes of various ages and conditions are scattered amongst the empty lots. There were many manufactured and mobile homes but also a few surviving early 1900s structures in the residential sections of town. Mining remnants are clearly visible on the hillsides above town. I did not attempt to drive up to the old mines on the dirt roads leading out of town. Tonopah, which does have a gas station and other services is 25 miles South of Goldfield on highway 95.
Goldfield, Nevada
Goldfield, Nevada
Goldfield, Nevada
Goldfield, Nevada
Goldfield, Nevada
Goldfield, Nevada
Goldfield, Nevada
Goldfield, Nevada
Goldfield, Nevada
Goldfield, Nevada
Goldfield, Nevada
Goldfield, Nevada
Goldfield, Nevada
Goldfield, Nevada
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