The Jett Mining District, named after a John Jett who along with a John Davenport, discovered gold and silver in the area in 1875. There was a flurry of activity in 1876 that resulted in a number of mines being operated within a small distance of each other. It was in February of 1877 a small camp was formed named Davenport. Twenty miners lived in the camp that had a store and a large community center. The small town suffered a blow in 1878 when John Jett suddenly died. The town was renamed Jett in his memory. The town continued to grow and was awarded a post office in March of 1880. But it was not to continue. Activity slowed in the district the following year and the post office closed. Hope was reborn in 1890 when there was a revival that faded as quickly as did the ore. The district remained dormant until 1919 when a rich vein was discovered near the mouth of Jett Canyon. The vein contained fairly high qualities of silver, lead, and zinc. However, the vein was relatively short and operations ceased in 1921 and by 1925 the district was completely abandoned. At Jett, a cabin and the workings of the mine still remain amid breathtaking scenery.

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!