You’ll find Empire, Nevada on the edge of the Black Rock Desert, where a century of gypsum mining history lives on in weathered ruins. Founded in 1907 after Alex Ranson’s mineral discovery, the town flourished under U.S. Gypsum’s ownership with amenities like a pool and golf course. The 2008 recession forced the mine’s closure, transforming this 800-person company town into a ghost town by 2011. Today’s quiet streets and abandoned buildings tell a deeper story of boom-to-bust America.
Key Takeaways
- Empire, Nevada became a ghost town in 2011 when US Gypsum closed its mine during the Great Recession, causing population decline from 800 to 300.
- Founded in 1923 as a company town for gypsum mining, Empire featured amenities including a golf course, pool, and company-subsidized housing.
- The town saw modest revival in 2016 with approximately 65 residents, maintaining a store and gas station serving locals and festival visitors.
- Empire gained international attention through the Oscar-nominated film Nomadland, which highlighted the town’s economic decline and community impact.
- Originally established following gypsum discoveries in 1907, the town operated successfully for nearly 90 years before the housing market crash.
The Birth of a Mining Town
When Alex Ranson discovered gypsum deposits in 1907, he laid the foundation for what would become Empire, Nevada. Along with his partners Nick Curnow, E. H. Cowles, and James Raser, he filed a selenite placer mining claim in 1910, recognizing the site’s potential.
You’ll find the area’s most striking features were massive selenite domes, towering 20-30 feet high and stretching 50 feet wide, which had been known since the 1876 40th Parallel Survey. The miners worked six days per week, maintaining a rigorous schedule to maximize production.
The initial mining techniques were basic, with early settlers making practical use of selenite crystals as window panes. Operations first began near Mound House before relocating to northern Washoe County in 1924.
As gypsum processing evolved, the site grew into a thriving mining operation that would sustain generations of workers for nearly a century. The community flourished with amenities including an Olympic-sized pool for residents to enjoy.
Dutch Nick’s Legacy and Early Settlement
When you visit Empire’s original site today, you’re standing where Dutch Nick Ambrose established the town’s first hotel and saloon in 1855, transforming his 160-acre claim into a bustling waystation.
You’ll find that his establishment, known for its “tarantula whiskey” and frontier hospitality, served as the social nucleus for prospectors, miners, and travelers for nearly two decades.
Dutch Nick’s saloon witnessed the raw drama of Nevada’s mining era, where frontier violence and scandal played out against the backdrop of Empire City’s early growth.
By 1860, the settlement grew significantly when Eugene Angel officially laid out the town plat.
The town’s development was closely tied to the Comstock Lode era, which brought waves of fortune-seekers to the region.
Empire’s First Hotel Days
As travelers journeyed through Nevada’s Carson River Valley in the 1850s, Nicholas “Dutch Nick” Ambrose established Empire’s first hotel and saloon – a pivotal establishment that would shape the town’s early development.
You’d have found his hotel architecture typical of frontier establishments, combining lodging and social spaces under one roof to maximize utility. Inside, you’d discover the heart of Empire’s early social dynamics, where miners, travelers, and settlers gathered to share news and strike deals. Like the Gold Hill Hotel, which began operations in 1859, Dutch Nick’s hotel became an important fixture of Nevada’s early hospitality industry.
Dutch Nick’s infamous homemade tarantula whiskey drew diverse clientele, while the establishment served critical lodging needs during the Comstock Lode boom. Following the practices of the time, he charged guests rates of $35 a month for room and board.
For two decades, this hotel-saloon complex remained the town’s social hub, though it wasn’t without its share of frontier violence, including shootings and various schemes.
Frontier Saloon Tales
Dutch Nick’s legendary saloon began as a humble tent near Sixmile Canyon in 1857, where Nicholas “Dutch Nick” Ambrose served his infamous homemade tarantula whiskey to weary travelers.
You’d find this pioneering establishment at the heart of countless tavern tales, where miners, travelers, and fortune-seekers gathered to try their luck at cards or share stories of the day’s findings.
The saloon featured entertainment from local dancing girls and performers who drew crowds nightly, adding to its reputation as a lively social hub.
The establishment thrived during the peak years when Empire City reached a population of 700 residents in the early 1870s.
Here’s what made Dutch Nick’s saloon the talk of Empire City:
- First permanent building in Gold Hill, established in 1859
- Central hub for gambling, lodging, and frontier justice for nearly 20 years
- Scene of notorious whiskey wars and shootouts that defined the untamed West
The saloon’s success helped transform Empire from a makeshift camp into a bustling mining town, with Dutch Nick’s enterprises expanding to include sawmills and infrastructure development.
The Golden Age of Gypsum
If you’d visited Empire during its golden age of gypsum mining, you’d have found a bustling operation running six days a week, with miners working 9-10 hour shifts using churn drills and black powder blasting techniques.
Like many territorial empires, Empire’s mining operations expanded outward from its original frontier to control more land and resources.
The mine’s success under U.S. Gypsum ownership transformed Empire into a model company town, complete with a nine-hole golf course, Olympic-sized pool, and tennis courts by the mid-20th century.
From its humble beginnings with Alex Ranson’s 1907 discovery, Empire grew into a thriving community of over 800 people, sustained by the region’s rich gypsum deposits and the introduction of modern processing facilities like the 1956 perlite plant.
The town’s prosperity lasted until 2011, when the housing market collapse forced the closure of the century-old gypsum mine and drywall plant.
Mining Operations and Growth
When Alex Ranson discovered gypsum deposits near Empire, Nevada in 1907, he laid the foundation for one of America’s longest-running mining operations.
After filing a selenite placer mining claim in 1910, the operation relocated to northern Washoe County in 1924, establishing Empire’s permanent location.
The site’s operational techniques evolved to tackle challenging gypsum extraction:
- Miners used churn drilling with 6″ drills and 40% Trojan black powder for blasting.
- Workers adapted mining faces to handle complex joint patterns in gypsum blocks.
- By 1956, operations expanded to include perlite processing and a furnace.
You’ll find evidence of Empire’s rapid growth through infrastructure developments like television service in 1957, telephone lines by 1965, and improved community facilities including a new schoolhouse after 1954’s fire.
Community at Peak Prosperity
Under U.S. Gypsum Corporation‘s management, Empire flourished into a thriving community of over 800 residents.
You’d find an impressive array of community facilities, including a nine-hole golf course, tennis court, and an Olympic-sized swimming pool. The town even boasted its own airport, post office, and Catholic church.
Recreational activities defined daily life, with families gathering at the pool or sports facilities. Your children would attend the Ernest M. Johnson Elementary School, rebuilt after a 1954 fire and expanded in 1964.
The company took care of its workers, offering subsidized housing at just $125 monthly for apartments. Modern amenities arrived steadily, with TV service in 1957 and telephone lines in 1965, while the convenience store and gas station served as essential lifelines in this remote desert outpost.
Life in a Company Town
As a quintessential company town, Empire revolved entirely around the US Gypsum mining operation, where residents’ lives intertwined with their workplace from 1923 to 2011.
Housing conditions were modest but affordable, with low monthly rents of $125 for apartments and $250 for two-bedroom homes, all maintained by the company. The social dynamics centered on shared community spaces and company-sponsored activities.
Life in Empire meant affordable company housing and a close-knit community built around shared spaces and corporate-sponsored gatherings.
- You’d find your home on one of four main streets, shaded by poplars and cottonwoods that defied the desert landscape.
- Your daily routine would include 9-10 hour shifts at the mine, six days a week.
- Your leisure time would be spent at the community pool, nine-hole golf course, or ballpark – all owned and operated by US Gypsum.
The Great Recession’s Impact
The Great Recession of 2008 dealt Empire its final blow, shattering the town’s decades-long stability. As the housing market crashed, demand for gypsum drywall plummeted, forcing US Gypsum Corp. to permanently close its mine and plant in January 2011.
You could witness the rapid economic collapse as the population declined from 800 to just 300 residents.
The aftermath was swift and devastating. The town’s ZIP code was eliminated, and essential services vanished – the post office closed, schools shut down, and recreational facilities were abandoned.
A chain-link fence now encircled Empire to prevent vandalism and decay. By 2016, only a handful of residents remained, and two llamas roamed the grounds, keeping the overgrown vegetation in check – a stark symbol of the once-thriving company town’s fall into abandonment.
Modern Day Empire and Cultural Impact
Since its dramatic closure in 2011, Empire has experienced a modest revival starting in 2016, though it bears little resemblance to its former self.
You’ll find a smaller but resilient community of about 65 residents, mainly mine workers and their families, who’ve rebuilt their lives around the reopened gypsum operation.
The town’s cultural revival gained international attention through the Oscar-nominated film *Nomadland*, which captured Empire’s story of community resilience.
Today, you’ll discover:
- Monthly Catholic services resuming in the town church
- A crucial store and gas station serving both locals and Burning Man festival-goers
- Historic ruins that attract heritage travelers seeking authentic ghost town experiences
Empire now balances its mining roots with a growing tourism industry, serving as a gateway to the Black Rock Desert’s vast wilderness.
Frequently Asked Questions
What Happened to Empire’s Original Buildings From the 1860S Mining Era?
You’ll find most historic preservation efforts failed as floods destroyed wooden structures and time erased architectural remnants, except for Dutch Nick’s “Red House” – the sole surviving 1860s brick building.
Did Any Famous People Besides Dutch Nick Live in Empire?
Time buries all secrets, and Empire’s tale is much the same. You won’t find any other famous residents or historical figures besides Dutch Nick Ambrose recorded in the town’s long history.
How Much Did Empire Workers Typically Earn During Peak Mining Years?
You’d have earned around $88,000 annually during Empire’s peak mining economy, with specialized roles like operations managers making up to $120,000. The wage history shows miners earned double Nevada’s average salary.
Were There Any Major Accidents or Disasters at the Empire Gypsum Mine?
Like a fortress standing untouched by storms, Empire’s mine safety record shows no major accidents or disasters. You won’t find any accident reports of explosions, fires, or fatalities during its 1923-2011 operations.
What Wildlife Species Commonly Inhabited the Empire Area Before Abandonment?
You’d have found remarkable wildlife diversity in Empire’s historical ecology – from bighorn sheep, mule deer, and mountain lions to eagles, songbirds, desert lizards, and numerous small mammals like rabbits.
References
- https://www.businessinsider.com/nomadland-true-story-of-empire-nevada-abandoned-ghost-town-mining-2021-4
- https://www.clairitage.com/2022/01/18/dutch-nick-and-empire-nv/
- https://wiki.blackrockdesert.org/wiki/Empire
- https://westernmininghistory.com/towns/nevada/empire-city/
- https://www.reviewjournal.com/news/empire-the-death-of-a-nevada-company-town/
- https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Empire
- https://westcoastflyingadventures.com/2018/02/16/empire-nevada-a-modern-ghost-town/
- https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Empire_and_the_Carson_River_mills
- http://www.usgwarchives.net/nv/carson/photos/history/empire/emp_hist.pdf
- https://www.nevadaappeal.com/news/2022/jan/12/dennis-cassinelli-empire-city/
