Grantsville - Nevada Ghost Town

GRANTSVILLE

NAME: Grantsville
COUNTY: Nye
ROADS: 2WD
GRID: 5
CLIMATE: Mild Winter, hot summer.
BEST TIME TO VISIT: Anytime.

COMMENTS: Near Ione, about 5 miles southeast of Berlin.
REMAINS: Many buildings.

Grantsville never made it to the top. In fact, the history of the town suggests a promotion scheme was more primary than was the search for gold bearing ore. Although a vein of gold was discovered by a P. A. Haven, it was he who promoted its potential far beyond that which it produced. He sold real estate to incoming prospectors as well as his claim. Shortly after he left town, his claim was soon worked out and the town began to fail before it even got started. In 1887, a large mining firm acquired the property and developed it to the point where it really became a viable town. When the ore ran out, the town died but extensive ruins of its mining operations remain. 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! Gold was discovered in Grantsville Canyon in 1863. The groundwork for a good-sized town was started and lots sold for between $50 and $500. About 50 people populated the canyon but the rich claim quickly dwindled and the camp became a ghost town for the next ten years. In 1877 the Alexander Company came to town and bought a number of claims in the canyon, built a twenty-stamp mill, which was enlarged to forty stamps three years later and hired thirty men. The mill started operating in 1878 and the town quickly grew to almost 1,000 people. By the end of 1878 businesses included a hotel, drugstore, a laundry, market, a bakery, and a general merchandise store. By 1881, the town had over forty business establishments including an express office and a bank. Grantsville began to fade slowly during the early 1880s and by 1884 the population had decreased to 400. By 1886 just fifty people were left. The Grantsville post office closed in October of 1887. There were a number of small-scale revivals from 1907 to 1947. The ruins of Grantsville are some of the best in Nye County and deserve a visit from dedicated ghost towners. Grantsville Courtesy Paul and Mary Hamilton Grantsville Courtesy Paul and Mary Hamilton Grantsville Courtesy Paul and Mary Hamilton Grantsville Courtesy Paul and Mary Hamilton Grantsville Courtesy Paul and Mary Hamilton Grantsville Courtesy Paul and Mary Hamilton	Grantsville Courtesy Paul and Mary Hamilton Grantsville Courtesy Paul and Mary Hamilton Grantsville Courtesy Paul and Mary Hamilton Grantsville Courtesy Paul and Mary Hamilton Grantsville Courtesy Paul and Mary Hamilton Grantsville Courtesy Paul and Mary Hamilton Grantsville Courtesy Paul and Mary Hamilton Grantsville Courtesy Paul and Mary Hamilton
Grantsville Courtesy S. Martin Shelton Grantsville Courtesy S. Martin Shelton

Grantsville never made it to the top. In fact, the history of the town suggests a promotion scheme was more primary than was the search for gold bearing ore. Although a vein of gold was discovered by a P. A. Haven, it was he who promoted its potential far beyond that which it produced. He sold real estate to incoming prospectors as well as his claim. Shortly after he left town, his claim was soon worked out and the town began to fail before it even got started. In 1887, a large mining firm acquired the property and developed it to the point where it really became a viable town. When the ore ran out, the town died but extensive ruins of its mining operations remain. 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!

Gold was discovered in Grantsville Canyon in 1863. The groundwork for a good-sized town was started and lots sold for between $50 and $500. About 50 people populated the canyon but the rich claim quickly dwindled and the camp became a ghost town for the next ten years. In 1877 the Alexander Company came to town and bought a number of claims in the canyon, built a twenty-stamp mill, which was enlarged to forty stamps three years later and hired thirty men. The mill started operating in 1878 and the town quickly grew to almost 1,000 people. By the end of 1878 businesses included a hotel, drugstore, a laundry, market, a bakery, and a general merchandise store. By 1881, the town had over forty business establishments including an express office and a bank. Grantsville began to fade slowly during the early 1880s and by 1884 the population had decreased to 400. By 1886 just fifty people were left. The Grantsville post office closed in October of 1887. There were a number of small-scale revivals from 1907 to 1947. The ruins of Grantsville are some of the best in Nye County and deserve a visit from dedicated ghost towners.

Grantsville
Courtesy Paul and Mary Hamilton

Grantsville
Courtesy S. Martin Shelton

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