The Paiute Indians were the first settlers at the well-watered site that would eventually become the town of Beatty. A man named James Beatty who had fought for the Union during the Civil War came to the site in 1896 and developed a ranch that soon became a stopping place for many travelers. A small settlement began to form around the ranch in 1904. As nearby Rhyolite and Bullfrog grew, so did Beatty as the site was now called. The town had no mines but served as a supply depot for the booming Bullfrog district. From 1906 to 1907 Beatty’s population reached a peak of 1,000. Beatty’s first railroad arrived in town in 1907. Within a year, two more railroads came to Beatty. Jim Beatty, the respected founder of Beatty, died on December 14, 1908 at the age of seventy-three. The town named for him now reigns as the sole survivor of the once-booming Bullfrog Mining District. The recent renewal of mining operations at Rhyolite has brought new residents and business to Beatty including casinos. The town is full of history and there are many remnants from Beatty’s early days. Food, gas, and lodging are all available.

Submitted by: Shawn Hall from his book Preserving The Glory Days: Ghost Towns And Mining Camps Of Nye County, Nevada Click here to purchase his book!