Clifton is in Pony Canyon. An ore discovery was made in March of 1862 and a fair sized town took place as the rush to the new mining district developed. By spring of 1863, a tent city of 500 had sprung up at the mouth of the canyon. Businesses included a Wells-Fargo office, assay office, recorder’s office, justice of the peace, hotels, restaurants, and lumber and hay yard. As Clifton was becoming a prosperous new town, however, the Austin townsite was platted farther up Pony Canyon. Austin and Clifton enjoyed a spirited competition. When Austin won the battle for the county seat in the fall of 1963 Clifton’s fate was sealed. People began to move to Austin and finally, on February 2, 1864, the Clifton post office closed. Soon, Clifton was abandoned with empty wooden buildings scattered over the site. Today remains are scant. The mill ruins are about the only markers of the site.

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!