Independence Valley

Jack Creek

 

Is area is made up of many historic place. Some with communities still around and some with great places to explore.

Jack Creek, Lime Mountain, Deep Creek and the Cornucopia are just a few of the mining camps that were settled in this area.

Jack Creek is located 15 1/2 miles north of Taylors on Nevada 226. Jack Creek was named in honor of its original settler, Jack Harrington, who homesteaded in 1868 and spent the rest of his life ranching at Jack Creek. The Jack Creek area became the prime source of wood for Tuscarora, and both firewood and mine timbers came from there. Mining was limited in the Jack Creek area. In August 1898 the Tuscarora-based Dexter Mining Company began construction of a large power plant on Jack Creek. The old Defrees mill in Taylor Canyon was dismantled for its wood to be used in building a boardinghouse and bunkhouse at the power plant construction site. Power lines ran to the forty-stamp Dexter mill in Tuscarora, and the plant began producing electricity in January 1899. Heavy snowfall seriously hampered the final phases of construction. The plant generated more thank 900 horsepower, and the power system cost $50,000. The plant brought many new residents to Jack Creek. By 1900 the population of the Jack Creek area was seventy-four.

The power plant was completely refitted and enlarged in 1910 but in June 1911 it was struck by lightning. Initial newspaper reports declared that the plant had been completely destroyed by fire but a few days later it was already running again.

Gradually, Basque began to purchase ranches in and around Jack Creek, and by the 1920s it had become a small Basque community.

Despite prohibition, the Jack Creek store also featured a bar serving bootleg whiskey and home-brewed beer. Travelers and sportsmen rented the upper floor of the two-story building. Dances were a popular diversion at Jack Creek since trips to Elko were rare.

With the arrival of school buses, Jack Creek children rode to the Independence Valley school.

Jack Creek continues to be a local sportsmen's mecca.

Foundations mark the site of the power plant and some parts of the flume are also still visible.

Located in hunting area 6, Jack Creek also offers some good fishing.

Lime Mountain, Deep Creek and Cornucopia mining sites are just a few miles from Jack Creek. Be sure to check this area out on your next trip to Nevada. It is well worth the drive. Our thanks to Ghost Town author Shawn Hall for this bit of history.

Stop in and visit our local sponsors for more history and sites to see in the Independence Valley area.

 

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