There were great hopes for the Betty O’Neal district when valuable silver deposits were found during the summer of 1881. The following year saw the discovery of the most important mine in the district, the Betty O’Neal. Disaster struck the mine on October 31st when the boiler at the hoisting works exploded, killing one miner and destroying the engine house. The workings were quickly repaired but a fire in April 1883 once again destroyed the works. That disaster, coupled with the quick decline of nearby Lewis, led to the closing of the mine. The district was quiet until late 1907 when the Betty O’Neal was leased to a mining company. Hard luck and disaster continued to plague operations at the mine and it was closed in 1911. In 1922 one of the giants of the Nevada mining industry acquired control of the Betty O’Neal and began enlarging the scope of operations with some success. The mine, along with others, continued to produce until 1928 when ore values began to slip. The mine was operated only intermittently until 1932 when it was shut down for good. The town is off limits to visitors unless permission is obtained from the owners.

Submitted by: Shawn Hall from his book Romancing Nevada's Past: Ghost Towns And Historic Sites Of Eureka, Lander, And White Pine Counties Click here to purchase his book!