Markers: 8

Eureka

At first glance, Eureka may not seem to offer much and its secrets absolutely cannot be revealed in one shot, therefore this is one county best explored on multiple visits! The romance of finding lead compared to the finding of gold or silver may be why Eureka has stayed relatively staid throughout history nevertheless earning its status as a major player in the mining game. The nearby hillsides of Eureka were rated as the state's second-richest mineral producer behind the Comstock Lode. The town's booming population necessitated the formation of a new county in 1873 while its population swelled as high as ten thousand people by 1878. It wasn't until 1881 that Eureka's population finally began to shrink with the decrease in mine production.

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See the description on the map below for each marker's locals' tips and tricks!

- 11 - Eureka

"'Eureka!' a miner is said to have exclaimed in September, 1864, when the discovery of rich ore was made here--and thus the town was named."

- 65 - Palisade

"At its peak, the town boasted a population of 300. It was a self-contained community, and railroading was its business."

- 80 - Eureka County Courthouse

"Built in 1879-80, of locally fired brick and of sandstone quarried nearby, the Eureka County Courthouse remains a fine example of boom town Victorian opulence."

- 82 - Diamond Valley

"The first known explorer of Diamond Valley was Colonel John C. Fremont, who mapped the area to aid western migration in 1845."

- 170 - Eureka Sentinel Building

"The Eureka Sentinel was published in this building from 1879 to 1960."

- 187 - The Cattle Industry

"Beginning in the western part of the state, cattlemen ranged their herds throughout northern Nevada by the 1870's."

- 222 - Tannehill Cabin

"The Tannehill brothers built this cabin for a residence in 1864 and lived here about a year before selling their mining interest to a New York company in 1866."

- 254 - Nevada's Mining Heritage

"... Whether underground or surface, mining remains an important symbol of Nevada's heritage."

"We Have Found It!"

"It" was a rich ore comprising mainly of lead. More lead, in fact, than anybody knew what to do with. After its discovery, a boom was slow and steady. Most were still unsure of what treasures lay beneath the surface, but within a month all uncertainty disappeared. The men christened the fabulous new find with the famous exclamation: "Eureka! I have found it."

It took only a month for Eureka to coin the nickname "Pittsburgh of the West" for its infamous black smoke produced by its sixteen smelters. As it has been for over 150 years, a very relaxed Eureka County is still a quiet place on the map. The old mining girl is a town of steady habits and things just don't seem to change here. The massive Getchell Mine, the very same gold producer responsible for carrying Elko into the future, sits within the northern confines of Eureka County - host to two additional operations near the county's eastern border a few short miles outside of Carlin and Battle Mountain. This old mining queen's still got it going on. Make yourself comfortable here because Eureka County is vast but not unconquerable in a day. The true secret here, though, is its hidden outdoor sojourns! The added bonus of camping in Eureka County is the joy of owning a site amidst some of the most remote acreages in the country. Try Roberts Mountain or the lovely pine forests of the Fish Creek Range. A hike to the top of 10,614 foot Diamond Peak is a lonely trek and rich communion with nature without trails or signs to mark their way. This is true wilderness. The "it" factor hasn't died yet. Have you found it?

As of 2022, Eureka County is home to the world's largest gold mine.

Founded: May 4, 1873
Size: 4,180 sq. mi.
Rank: 11th out of 17
Population: 2,122 (2022)
Rank: 16th out of 17
Density: 0.47 sq. mi.
Rank: 16th out of 17
Largest Community: Beowawe (611)
County Seat: Eureka (462)
Highest Point: Diamond Peak (10,553')

Known for ...
Eureka Historic District, Getchell Mine (World's Largest Gold Mine), Beowawe Geysers