"The first gold discoveries in what was soon to be Buckhorn took place in the winter of 1908. The discoverers were a band of five prospectors. In April 1910, all their holdings were sold to Nevada mining magnate George Wingfield for $90,000. Wingfield immediately formed the Buckhorn Mines Company."

"During the year after the initial discoveries, a small camp formed. By the beginning of 1914, almost 300 people were living in the town and hopes were high for the future of Little Buckhorn. A 400-ton cyanide mill had been completed in 1913 and operations were started in January 1914. The miners were kept busy trying to fill the large cyanide vats. A 33,000 volt power line was strung to the company's 800-horsepower plant in Beowawe, supplying both the mill and the townspeople with electric power. The prospects for permanency looked good for the booming town."

Unfortunately, most ore veins are not endless and the Buckhorn veins were shorter than most. Ore production dropped drastically in late 1914 and the mill was kept runnning until all hope was gone, finally in February 1917 it closed for good. Wingfield's company folded soon after and Buckhorn's boom had gone BUST.

Buckhorn remained empty except for an occasional prospector until 1935, when several mines were reopened. The short lived attempt only brought about 50 people back to buckhorn. By the end this attempt over four miles of underground workings were in place. Again no good ore was found despite the tunneling and the mines were abandoned.

Mill foundations and crumbled buildings are scattered at the townsite and the drive is definitly worth it!