Central City was one of those on again off again mining camps that first formed in the early 1870s after ore was found in the canyon. Isaac Irwin established a ranch that survived all the mining failures. The camp quickly faded but was revived early in the 1889s. The population reached twenty-five at one point, but the camp was abandoned by 1883. The canyon remained empty except for the Irwin Ranch until 1905 when Irwin’s son, F.L. Irwin, staked a number of claims in the canyon. Soon a small camp of twenty formed. Irwin had limited success until 1911 when the vein gave out and everyone left the canyon. In 1913 another effort was made by George Seay, one of the founders of Tombstone, Arizona. He gave up in 1914. The next effort was in the 1930s when a small mill began operations. That didn’t last long and the canyon was empty once again. Three small cabins still stand at the site, all dating back to the 1930s.

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!