Please remember to exercise caution when exploring Nevada's Ghost Towns & Mining Camps. Open shafts, drifts going into mountainsides, and old buildings, are all DANGEROUS. Be aware of your surroundings, and let someone know where you are, especially if your plans change.

Amador (Coral City)

DIRECTIONS: From Austin, head west on U.S. 50 for 0.6 mile. Exit right on Nevada 305 for 2.3 miles. Exit right and follow for 1.5 miles to Amador Canyon. Then park and follow footpath to right for 1.5 miles.

"After the rich discoveries throughout the Reese River District, prospectors combed every canyon in the area looking for new ore deposits. During the spring of 1863, silver ore was discovered here, and a rush to Amador Canyon resulted. A townsite was laid out in the summer by people named B. T. Hunt, Bowe, Chase, Matheny, Meek, and Kinsey. The mining district was officially organized in November, and by the end of the year about 200 hardy souls were clustered on the side of the cold mountain. As the camp continued to expand, a smaller adjacent camp, Coral City, was absorbed into Amador. A post office, with Isaac Sherman as postmaster, opened on April 16, 1864, giving Amador an air of permanence.

The original discovery at Amador was the Coral Mine. By 1864 several mining companies were working the district: Mammoth Tunnel and Water Company, Monte Cristo Mining, Wildwood Tunnel and Water, Aspinwal Gold and Silver Mining, Amador Consolidated Silver Mining, Silver Age Mining, Dashing Wave Gold and Silver Mining, and Loomis Gold and Silver Mining. Many of the ore deposits around Amador occurred in valuable ledges, the best of which were the Aspinwal and the Bigelow ledges, owned by Peter Davis. Considered by many to be the finest in the Reese River District, these ledges were assayed in January 1864 at $295 and $162 per ton, respectively. Another valuable ledge was the O'Hara, which was sold in August 1864 for $32,000.

Yet permanence was not in the cards for Amador. The ore deposits were not as extensive as they were first thought to be, and most of the mines began running empty by early 1866. The boom was over and Amador faded quickly. The post office closed on April 24, 1866, and Amador's businesses began to leave the camp. By the end of that year, the camp was virtually abandoned. The camp died a quick death and was never an active producer again. By 1869 the last resident had left, consigning Amador to the ghosts. A trip to Picturesque Amador Canyon has many interesting stone ruins to offer. As you arrive in Amador, you can experience the sense of isolation that the residents of these small camps felt. Although the walk via trail is difficult, consider making the trek. The view itself is worth the effort."

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