Blackburn came into existence in the summer of 1874 as a stop on the Eureka and Palisade Railroad and later the Eureka-Nevada Railroad. The stop was hardly more than a siding until 1909, when the short-lived Buckhorn boom began. Blackburn became the major shipping point for all supplies headed to Buckhorn, and soon the railroad siding began it's own boom.

A hotel, a saloon, and a livery stable were built to accommodate the rush to Buckhorn. A regular stage line from Blackburn to Buckhorn was started. Un fortunately for Blackburn, the Buckhorn boom collapsed in 1915-1916. Blackburn soon faded to obscurity. The only activity that took place at Blackburn after the collapse was a more modern one: A gas station and grill were run here for many years and only recently closed down.