You’ll find Como’s ghost town remains tucked away in Nevada’s Pine Nut Mountains, where gold’s discovery in 1860 sparked a brief but bustling mining community. The town reached its peak in 1863 with 400 residents, four hotels, and eight saloons, earning recognition as the region’s cleanest mining camp. By 1865, dwindling ore deposits led to its abandonment, though multiple revival attempts between 1879 and the 1930s hint at Como’s persistent allure in mining history.
Key Takeaways
- Como was established in 1862 near Nevada’s Pine Nut Mountains after gold discovery, reaching a peak population of 400 residents by 1863.
- The town featured four hotels, eight saloons, a newspaper, and steam-powered mills during its brief mining boom period.
- Como experienced rapid decline by late 1864 due to diminishing ore deposits, with most residents abandoning the settlement by 1865.
- Multiple revival attempts between 1879-1905 failed to restore Como’s prosperity, despite new mining operations and mill construction.
- Today, Como exists as a ghost town with visible stone foundations, representing a typical boom-and-bust cycle of Western mining communities.
Birth of a Gold Rush Boomtown
When gold was discovered in June 1860 at the northern end of Nevada’s Pine Nut Mountains, it sparked the creation of the Palmyra Mining District and set the stage for Como’s dramatic rise. The initial gold discovery drew about 100 miners to Palmyra, where they established a basic mining infrastructure including a post office by 1861.
You’ll find Como’s true beginnings in late 1862, when promising ore veins lured settlers just half a mile from Palmyra. The new settlement’s superior location near springs and streams quickly made it the preferred destination. The town flourished rapidly, developing into a bustling community with hotels and saloons serving its growing population. By 1863, Como had established itself as a substantial mining center with four dry goods stores among its many businesses.
Life in Early Como’s Heyday
At its peak in early 1863, Como bustled with around 400 residents who’d transformed the settlement into a dynamic frontier community.
You’d find four hotels, including the upscale National Hotel with its carpeted rooms, serving as prominent social hubs alongside eight saloons where miners gathered after long days of work. The town’s civic organization was evident in its weekly newspapers, newly established school, and reliable postal service. The town gained significant industrial capability when J.D. Winters’ mill began operating with steam power.
Daily life revolved around a mix of essential services – from the local brewery to the blacksmith shop. The town’s reputation for cleanliness earned it recognition as the cleanest mining camp in the region.
You could visit several dry goods stores, two livery stables, or the tin shop. While mining companies dominated the economy, small merchants and craftsmen thrived, creating a self-sustaining community despite Como’s remote location in the rugged Pine Nut Mountains.
Mining Operations and Economic Growth
Following the discovery of gold in the Pine Nut Mountains in 1860, Como’s mining operations evolved from basic horse-powered extraction to more sophisticated steam-driven technology.
By 1863, you’d find the Solomon Davis rock mill pioneering steam-powered ore processing, followed by J.D. Winters’ mill in 1864.
The town’s economic infrastructure expanded rapidly around these mining ventures. You could witness a bustling community with hotels, saloons, blacksmiths, and even a weekly newspaper.
Alf Doten, a prominent investor, controlled several mining companies during Como’s peak prosperity.
However, the mining technology couldn’t overcome the fundamental challenge of low ore quantity.
Despite attempts at revival in 1879-81, 1902-05, and a final effort with a 300-ton flotation mill in 1935, Como’s mining operations ultimately proved economically unsustainable.
The Town’s Swift Decline
Despite Como’s initial promise as a mining boomtown, the settlement’s decline proved remarkably swift once ore deposits began running out in late 1864. The town’s fate was sealed by economic miscalculations, as initial assays had drastically overestimated the ore quality, leading to premature mill construction and unsustainable operations.
Como’s hasty rise and swift fall exemplified the perils of overconfidence in early mining ventures.
The once-bustling National Hotel stood as the town’s centerpiece before its abandonment. You’ll find that by 1865, most residents had abandoned the town, leaving only two people by 1870.
Como’s geographic isolation in central Lyon County, coupled with harsh winters and rugged terrain, made any recovery attempts futile. While minor revivals occurred between 1879-1881 and 1902-1905, they couldn’t overcome the fundamental lack of viable ore.
The final significant effort in 1935, a 300-ton flotation mill, failed within days, and by 1938, even its machinery had been repossessed.
Attempts at Resurrection
When hope for Como’s revival first emerged in 1879, scattered prospectors and miners returned to test their luck in the abandoned claims.
Despite multiple revival attempts, each wave of mining aspirations faced persistent challenges that ultimately led to failure.
Similar to the pioneers who endured extreme conditions in Southern Nevada’s early mining days, Como’s residents faced grueling work and harsh environments.
Key revival challenges included:
- 1879-1881: A new 10-stamp mill brought promise but yielded only marginal ore returns
- 1902-1905: Population briefly reached 100, but operations remained temporary
- 1930s: Como Mines Company built a modern 300-ton flotation mill, ending in equipment repossession
- Post-1930s: Sporadic small-scale attempts failed to establish viable operations
A common feature among the revival attempts was the presence of stone foundations, which can still be seen at the townsite today.
You’ll find that each resurrection effort was thwarted by the harsh realities of Como’s remote location, brutal winters, and most critically, insufficient ore deposits to sustain profitable mining ventures.
Exploring Como’s Ghost Town Remains
Today’s visitors to Como ghost town will find a hauntingly beautiful site nestled in the Pine Nut Range of central Lyon County, Nevada.
You’ll need a high-clearance or four-wheel-drive vehicle to navigate the rocky Como Road, which follows a historic freight wagon path offering spectacular scenic views of Dayton Valley. The road’s development in the 1860s freight route established vital connections between mining communities.
As you explore the remnants, you’ll discover stone foundations of miners’ 12′ x 12′ cabins dug into hillsides, and scattered mining equipment that tells the story of Como’s prosperous past. During its peak, the town reached a population of several thousand residents.
The historic structures include cement foundations for water tanks and ore processing facilities.
While a recent brush fire has impacted some surface remains, you can still trace the footprint of what was once a bustling town with hotels, saloons, and shops scattered across the rugged terrain.
Frequently Asked Questions
Were Any Famous Outlaws or Notable Historical Figures Associated With Como?
You’ll find no famous outlaws connected to Como, but notable figures like Alf Doten, who ran six mining companies, and J.D. Winters, who operated the steam mill, shaped its mining history.
What Natural Disasters or Extreme Weather Events Affected Como’s History?
Perilous precipitation plagued your passage to Como, with muddy mountain roads requiring four-wheel-drive vehicles. While flood events and drought periods likely occurred, there’s no documented record of major natural disasters impacting the town.
Did Como Have Any Churches, Schools, or Formal Government Structures?
You won’t find church architecture or formal education systems here – Como had a basic school in the 1860s, no documented churches, and lacked government buildings beyond postal services.
What Happened to the Buildings and Materials After Como Was Abandoned?
Today you’ll find only stone foundations where Como’s buildings once stood. Natural decay claimed wooden structures, while settlers likely salvaged reusable materials. Building deterioration accelerated due to harsh weather and minimal historical preservation.
Were There Any Major Conflicts Between Miners or Ethnic Groups in Como?
You’ll find documented miner disputes over water rights, including a notable 1893 gunfight between Milich and Raycraft. While Chinese laborers worked there, there’s no evidence of major ethnic tensions in Como.
References
- http://www.nv-landmarks.com/towns-c/como.htm
- https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Como
- https://www.nvexpeditions.com/lyon/como.php
- https://nvtami.com/2020/08/04/como-nevada/
- http://www.waterworkshistory.us/NV/Como_and_Palmyra/
- https://www.nevadaappeal.com/news/2021/jul/21/dennis-cassinelli-como-mining-area/
- https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=x_u0KjfaEh8
- http://backyardtraveler.blogspot.com/2009/09/finding-traces-of-mining-camp-of-como.html
- https://nevadamagazine.com/issue/march-april-2019/9313/
- https://nvtami.com/2020/07/22/como-road-miners-cabin-nevada/
