Gold Point Nevada.

A LIVING GHOST TOWN

In Memory of Michael Wake 1941-2005

GOLDPOINT SALOON 2003

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HORNSILVER/GOLDPOINT HISTORY.

SILVER TURNS TO GOLD.

Goldpoint is located just 20 miles from the Death Valley National Park boundary

The town we now know as Goldpoint, started out it's life under a different name. Hornsilver Townsite was named after a particularly rich source of a Silver ore known as horn silver. Although there were several small mining claims in operation in the 1880's, it wasn't until 1908 that the area 'took off'. In February of 1908 the Russell brothers started to extract rich ore deposits, that soon garnered the attention of miners and prospectors alike. In no time, the word spread and the rush was on.

A FRESH DELIVERY OF BUILDING MATERIALS SPEEDS INTO HORNSILVER CAMP 1908.

It wasn't long before a small community of tent cabins was in place, saloons and restaurants accompanying the growing number of residential cabins. As the claims grew in quality and quantity, the tent cabins turned into more permanent wooden structures and the camp became a town. Hornsilver officially became a town on April the 7th 1908, just five days later, two saloons opened for business! It would not be until the end of May 1908 that Hornsilver acquired a Post Office.

Some what surprisingly, Hornsilver (and Goldpoint), never had a jail. The town has been remarkably free of crime for it's nearly one hundred years of existence.

HORNSILVER TOWNSITE 1908

Over the years, the towns success waxed and waned, as mining claims came and went. The great depression was unusually kind to GoldPoint as it enjoyed it's longest period of success in that time period. World War 2 was a slightly different story, as many of the resources necessary for mining were rationed or severely restricted, it meant that mining operations were brought to a standstill, and many of it's residence went off to war, or drifted away to larger communities.

In 1927 a miner by the name of J.W. Dunfee went down the mine to look around and came up with a large gold discovery. Within a few years, more gold than silver was being mined. To induce more growth and encourage investments, the name of the old camp was changed to its present day name of Gold Point.

Ora Mae Wiley

Ora may had come to GoldPoint around 1930 from Georgia to have a little look see. She met her future husband, Senator Harry Wiley, one of the founding fathers of Hornsilver, and stayed until her death, at the age of 83 in 1980. Ora May ran the Post Office in GoldPoint, which has remains intact to this day, seemingly frozen in time. (see image below)

OHIO MILL C1940

GOLDPOINT TODAY

THE LEGEND OF SHERIFF STONE!

HERB ROBBINS

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GOLDPOINT POST OFFICE 2003

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ABANDONED CABIN GOLDPOINT 2002

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STREET SCENE GOLDPOINT 2003

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HERB ROBBINS (SHERIFF STONE) AND SANDY JOHNSON (RED DOG LIL) PRESIDE OVER ANOTHER GREAT WEEKEND AT GOLDPOINT.	ANOTHER HAPLESS VICTIM HELD TO MATRIMONIAL GUN POINT.

Today, Gold Point is flourishing due to the hard work of a small group of people who live in the town, aided by a loyal group of friends and supporters. At the helm is a man by the name of Herb Robbins. Herb is one of the most affable, outgoing men you could ever meet, with an energy level only matched by a two year old on a sugar rush.

Herb moved to Gold Point in his mid twenties. After a significant win in Las Vegas, Herb was able to make some much needed repairs and improvements to the town. To date, many cabins that outwardly appear as they did nearly one hundred years ago, have been upgraded and are actually rented out in a bed and breakfast fashion. At the top of Herbs list, was an addition to the Saloon, which now boasts a Player Piano, shuffle board table, plus many artifacts from the last century, housed in the 110ft long Saloon. It is the center piece of Gold Point.

On several holidays through out the year, notably Memorial Day and Labor Day, there are festivities on a grand scale. Hundreds of people appear out of the desert and a very enjoyable family style weekend is enjoyed by all. At these events, Herbs alter ego Sheriff Stone appears. Sheriff Stone keeps the show going and entertains the crowd with various activities, he is also very handy in the kitchen, turning out great meals for the crowd.

Gold Point has become a popular place for Weddings. Sheriff Stone and his girlfriend Sandy, really put on a great ceremony. Sandy is a licensed Minister and can therefore conduct a legal Wedding.

VISIT THE OFFICIAL GOLD POINT WEBSITE:

WWW.GOLDPOINTGHOSTTOWN.COM