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.

Battle Mountain (Safford)
(Old Battle Mountain)

DIRECTIONS: Located on Interstate 80, 69 miles west of Elko.

"The town of Battle Mountain came into being in 1867 to serve as a supply center for the Battle Mountain Mining District. The town was originally located just south of Copper Basin. Robert Macbeth named the town in honor of an Indian battle that took place nearby during 1861. The original camp of Battle Mountain was located near the incredibly rich Little Giant Mine, discovered in 1867. When the Central Pacific Railroad came through Lander County (then still part of Humboldt County) in 1868, the camp was moved a couple of miles away, next to the railroad. Battle Mountain quickly became a very important railhead and a well-known dinner station, The Capitol Hotel was the choice eating establishment. The Northwestern Stage Company set up stage lines and ran them to Austin, Geneva, and the Battle Mountain Mining District. By 1870 Battle Mountain had become the supply base for most of Lander County's mining districts.

A post office opened here on June 2, 1870, with Thomas Reagan as postmaster, and the town continued to expand rapidly. Businesses of all sorts opened during the early 1870s. The Martin and Hogan furnace was started on June 12, 1870. Newspapers also began publication during the 1870s and 1880s. The first was Measure for Measure, published by William Forbes. Publication began on December 26, 1873, and the subscription price was $5 per year. The last issue of the paper appeared on October 9, 1875. The paper folded when Forbes died suddenly on October 13. Another prominent paper was the Battle Mountain Messenger, which began publication oh May 19, 1877. The paper was organized by Mark Musgrove and sold to E. A. Scott in August. A fire on July 6, 1878, destroyed the building that housed the paper. It was soon rebuilt, and various leaseholders ran the paper until it folded on December 26, 1884. The Lander Free Press was a short-lived paper owned by Charles Sproule. The first issue was published on July 1, 1881, but because of a lack of interest in the publication, the Press folded on December 29, 1882. Easily the most prominent and professional of these early papers was the Central Nevadan, owned by John H. Dennis and first published on January 16, 1885. Dennis leased it to J. D. Park in October 1889. Park became disheartened by the paper's slow progress and gave up his lease in 1890, after which Dennis sold the paper to R. C. Blossom. The Central Nevadan eventually merged with the Battle Mountain Herald, in December 1907.

By 1880 Battle Mountain had become a well-established town. The population stood at a little over 500, and the Nevada Central Railroad was completed to Austin, bringing additional importance to Battle Mountain. A 300-car siding was built here, along with a large depot, machine shops, and engine house. When Lander County fell into a mining slump during the late 1880s and 1890s, Battle Mountain became the central shipping point for livestock.

The town was the victim of several disasters, including fires and floods. Two fires, in July 1877 and fall 1878, caused $40,000 in damage. In March 1880 another fire destroyed the Huntsman Hotel and the new Nevada Central Railroad depot, causing $15,000 in damage. A very serious flood struck the town in February 1910, destroying the Battle Mountain railroad yards and many miles of the Nevada Central Railroad. Service was not restored until May 30.

Today Battle Mountain is the Lander County seat, having replaced Austin in 1980 after many decades of bitter competition. Battle Mountain is still a center for cattle shipping and mining activity. Because of its location alongside Interstate 80, the town has become a tourist base and one of the main stops along the route between Reno and Salt Lake City. The proximity of the Battle Mountain Gold Company (formerly the Duval Corporation) is a major source of support for the community.

While most of the buildings in Battle Mountain are new, a search of the back streets reveals numerous vintage buildings left from the 1870s. Supplies of all sorts are available here, and the traveler looking for entertainment can visit a number of casinos. A trip to Battle Mountain is very enjoyable, and the historical sites are well worth some attention. If you are lucky enough to be here at the right time, you may experience a unique Nevada treat: During the winter, Battle Mountain has some of the most beautiful "pogonip," a stunning coat of white frost that covers everything in town."

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