You won’t find Caliente as a ghost town – it’s actually a living community in east-central Lincoln County, Nevada. Founded near hot springs discovered in 1901, the town flourished as an essential railroad hub, marked by its stunning 1923 Mission Revival depot that now serves as city hall. At 3,900 feet elevation, where Great Basin meets Mojave Desert, Caliente’s rich history of ranching, railroads, and natural wonders holds countless stories within its historic streets.
Key Takeaways
- Caliente itself is not a ghost town but is near the Delamar ghost town, which features preserved stone structures and mill ruins.
- Delamar ghost town includes an 1897 opera house and hospital among its surviving historical structures.
- The ghost town is accessible year-round via rough dirt roads, though visitors need high-clearance vehicles for access.
- Mine shafts and unstable structures present safety hazards for visitors exploring the ghost town’s remains.
- The site reflects Nevada’s mining heritage and allows free exploration, with historic cemeteries and architectural remnants.
From Hot Springs to Railroad Hub: The Birth of Caliente
While hot springs had long bubbled up from the earth at the base of Nevada’s surrounding mountains, it wasn’t until 1901 that these thermal waters would give birth to the town of Calientes.
You’ll find the origins of this settlement dating back to the 1860s, when escaped slaves Ike and Dow Barton first established a ranch in the area. The land passed through several names – Dutch Flat, Jackman Ranch, and finally Culverwell – as the Culverwell brothers transformed it into a crucial hay supplier for nearby mining towns.
When the hot springs were discovered, they became central to the town’s identity, leading to its Spanish name “Calientes.” Today, visitors can still admire the town’s historic mission-style depot that stands as a testament to its railroad heritage.
The arrival of the Los Angeles and Salt Lake Railroad in 1905 would forever change this thermal oasis, turning it into a bustling division point. The town’s population reached its peak with over 5,000 residents before declining sharply in the late 1940s.
The Culverwell Legacy and Early Pioneer Settlement
Though the hot springs would later define Caliente’s identity, the town’s true foundation began with escaped slaves Ike and Dow Barton, who established the first ranch near Clover Creek in the 1860s.
The area, initially known as Dutch Flat, transformed when Charles and William Culverwell purchased the Jackman Ranch in 1874, marking the beginning of their profound influence on the region. The discovery of a natural hot spring in 1901 would forever change the settlement’s destiny.
The Culverwell brothers’ pioneer resilience shaped the landscape through diverse agricultural operations, including hay production, orchards, and vineyards. They built enduring stone shelters and supplied essential resources to the booming mining camps of Pioche and Delamar. Charles Culverwell later opened the impressive Culverwell Hotel featuring therapeutic mineral baths.
Their most significant contribution came in 1901 when William Culverwell resolved a critical railroad dispute by granting right-of-way access through his land, setting the stage for Caliente’s transformation from ranch to railroad hub.
Railroad Glory Days and Mission Revival Architecture
As the Union Pacific Railroad and William Clark’s San Pedro, Los Angeles & Salt Lake Railroad battled for control of the north-south rail route through Meadow Valley Wash in 1901, Caliente emerged as a crucial division point between Los Angeles and Salt Lake City.
You’ll find railroad history deeply embedded in the town’s core, from its engine terminals to its expansive switching yard that once buzzed with activity. The historic Company Row housing still stands as a testament to the railroad workers who called Caliente home.
The crown jewel of Caliente’s architectural significance stands in its 1923 Mission Revival depot, designed by the Parkinson architects of Los Angeles. The first floor layout included a passenger waiting room and various railroad offices.
At $83,000, this two-story marvel featured stucco walls, distinctive arches, and red tile roofs.
While the shift to diesel locomotives in the late 1940s diminished the town’s railroad operations, the depot lives on as city hall, library, and art gallery.
Natural Wonders and Geographic Significance
Nestled in east-central Lincoln County at an elevation of 3,900 feet, Caliente’s natural setting showcases the dramatic change between the Great Basin and Mojave Desert ecosystems.
You’ll find yourself surrounded by rugged canyons and sweeping mountain ranges, with natural landscapes evolving from piñon-juniper woodlands to Joshua trees as you head south.
The town’s ecological diversity stems from its unique position and climate. You’re treated to warm, dry summers moderated by elevation, while winters bring snow and partly cloudy skies. With temperatures ranging from 23°F to 92°F, the weather remains milder than nearby desert cities.
Positioned at nature’s crossroads, Caliente balances high-desert extremes with mountain climate, delivering mild summers and snowy winter days.
The area’s famous wild roses thrive here, earning Caliente its nickname as “Nevada’s Rose City.” Natural hot springs, the town’s namesake, bubble up from the earth, while Clover Creek’s waters have long sustained local ranching and farming activities. Once known as Culverwell, the town adopted its current name when the post office opened in 1901.
Three nearby state parks – Cathedral Gorge, Beaver Dam, and Kershaw-Ryan – offer additional natural wonders to explore.
Present-Day Preservation and Historical Tourism
While many ghost towns have vanished into history, Delamar’s stone structures and mill ruins stand as proof to over a century of desert endurance under the protection of Nevada’s Bureau of Land Management.
You’ll find the site accessible year-round via rough dirt roads, though you’ll need a high-clearance or four-wheel drive vehicle to navigate the rugged terrain. The journey rewards visitors with miles of trails perfect for outdoor exploration.
Ghost town preservation efforts focus on maintaining the surviving structures, including two historic cemeteries that enhance the site’s heritage tourism value. Among the notable preserved structures are the remains of the opera house and hospital built during the town’s prosperous 1897 period.
While you won’t find entrance fees or guided tours, you’re free to explore the remnants of Nevada’s mining era at your own pace.
Remember to heed safety warnings about unstable mine shafts, historic explosives, and hazardous silica dust while visiting this authentic piece of Western history.
Frequently Asked Questions
Are the Hot Springs Still Accessible to Visitors Today?
You’ll find the hot springs fully open and accessible today, with easy visitor access to both the motel’s private mineral baths and the bathhouse’s four tiled soak rooms at a comfortable 104°F.
What Happened to the Descendants of Ike and Dow Barton?
Present particulars about Barton descendants prove puzzling, as you’ll find no documented family history after Ike and Dow moved to Riverside, California around 1912. Their family lines remain historically untraceable.
Does the Train Still Stop in Caliente?
You won’t find any train services stopping in Caliente today – they ended in 1997 when Amtrak discontinued its route. The depot’s historical significance lives on as city hall instead.
Where Did Most Residents Relocate After the Railroad Division Moved?
When examining relocation patterns of historical significance, you’ll find most residents moved to Las Vegas around 1948, following Union Pacific’s decision to shift its maintenance operations and division point there.
What Restaurants and Accommodations Are Currently Available in Caliente?
Like desert oases, you’ll find three local eateries: Knotty Pine Restaurant, Side Track Restaurant, and J&J Fast Food. Your lodging options are limited to small family-owned motels and basic guesthouses.
References
- https://www.legendsofamerica.com/caliente-nevada/
- https://coloradosghosttowns.com/Caliente NV.html
- https://lincolncountynevada.com/discovering/towns/caliente/
- https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Caliente
- https://www.reviewjournal.com/local/local-nevada/abandoned-but-not-forgotten-5-ghost-towns-in-southern-nevada-3351038/
- https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Xtz_WxjjgGk
- https://www.nvexpeditions.com/lincoln/caliente.php
- https://hotspringers.net/caliente-hot-springs-motel-and-spa/
- https://www.onlyinyourstate.com/trip-ideas/nevada/charming-small-town-name-origins-nv
- https://shpo.nv.gov/nevadas-historical-markers/historical-markers/caliente
