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.

PEAVINE

Location: From Tonopah head east on State Route 6, 5.5 miles. Turn north onto Hwy 376. Watch for sign on highway about 30 miles from Tonopah. Left off Hwy 376, campgrounds are about 4 miles up the canyon on a dirt road.

"Peavine is a ranching settlement that dates back to the 1870s, when Lemuel (Lem) and Johanna Compton settled there. For many years it was a stop on the Tate and Wallace Belmont-Sodavill stage line. By 1881 the small settlement had a population of 25 and was home to miners and mill workers from the surrounding area. A post office, with John Compton as postmaster, opened on August 25, 1890 and remained in operation till October 25, 1890. In 1893 Lem suffered a sever stroke, which left him seriously incapacitated. Johanna ran the ranch and stage station by herself."

"A dreadful fire hit the Compton family hard in November 1900, destroying everything but the house. Lemuel was not home at the time, having been taken to Belmont to vote. Johanna apparently tried to save the buildings and was later found burned to death in the rubble of the stable. Johanna who served as the local doctor, was known far and wide as a genial host and everyone mourned her passing."

The ranch has maintained a low-level existence, with its population never exceeding 25. It is still in operation today. A number of old stone buildings are nearby including the old stone building on the road (drive slow).

A campground is located a few miles past the ranch. If you camp, remember to bring your own firewood as none is available. The campsites are nice with two vault toilets available. The scenery is beautiful in the canyon, an abundance of trees for shade and in good years, fishing. We camped here in the summer of 1999 and saw lots of Chukkar as well.

Located just next to the ranch (drive slow).	Building on the side of the hill on way to campground.
What is left of the old chicken coop, roost and all.	One of several old buildings in the area, built on the hillside.
Young explorer, checking out a building.	Yes, more of the group of buildings.
Morning at the Peavine campgrounds.

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