Roadside Attraction Osceola Ghost Town
Ely Nevada
Overview
Tue 33 | 21 |
Wed 40 | 23 |
Thu 46 | 31 |
Fri 49 | 33 |
Sat 40 | 33 |
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Tue 33 | 21 |
Wed 40 | 23 |
Thu 46 | 31 |
Fri 49 | 33 |
Sat 40 | 33 |
View Full Weather Details |
Nevada is dotted with ghost towns where people pinned their hopes and dream. Osceola, just off of highway 50 in central Nevada, is one such town. Gold was found in the area in 1877, and the rush began. Because of its location, water wasn't easily available for mining. Not to be deterred, the miners incredibly created two 18-mile pipelines to bring water to the area.
Local lore says one of the world's largest gold nuggets, a 23-pound monster, was found here. The town peaked at about 500 people in the 1880's; there are not many that call the area home now. A few seasonal homes are left in the area and, just before the town on the left, there s a local that still lives and mines full time.
A major fire in the 1880's burned down most of the town and likely contributed greatly to its demise. Later another fire burned one of the local homes, then finally in recent times, a fire burned the remaining orchard. The interesting thing about the 3 major fires is they were all accidents caused by the same family!
The graveyard is the main attraction of the town and can be easily visited up close. In the town area proper, there is an old brick storefront, but it and the few other remains are on private land. Please respect the private land and just take in the sights from the road.
Getting There
From Ely Nevada, travel east on US-50. About 34 miles east of Ely, turn right (south) onto White Pine County Rd 39, then an almost immediate left onto Osceola Rd. Follow this good road (staying always on the main road) for 3.2 miles to the cemetery on the left.
Route
The graveyard is likely the most interesting thing to visit. To visit the town proper, continue on the main dirt road 1.1 miles around the hillside to where it passes through the town proper in a small valley.
Cemetery |
11S 724597mE 4330207mN N39° 05' 32" W114° 24' 11" |
Old Store Front |
11S 725533mE 4330336mN N39° 05' 35" W114° 23' 32" |