You’ll find Mazuma’s haunting remains in Nevada’s Seven Troughs mining district, where it flourished as a gold mining boomtown from 1906-1912. The town grew rapidly with saloons, stores, and a $25,000 water system before tragedy struck. On July 18, 1912, a devastating flash flood sent a 20-foot wall of water through the canyon, killing multiple residents and destroying the settlement. The scattered ruins and cemetery tell a compelling story of boom, disaster, and abandonment.
Key Takeaways
- Mazuma, Nevada was established in 1906 as a mining town at Seven Troughs Canyon, becoming a central hub for gold mining operations.
- The town flourished with saloons, stores, and a $25,000 water system until a catastrophic flood destroyed it on July 18, 1912.
- A devastating 20-foot wall of water killed approximately one-tenth of Mazuma’s residents and caused $200,000 in damages.
- Today, visitors can explore remnants including Preston’s Hotel, Mazuma Hills Mill, and a historic cemetery between Mazuma and Tunnel Camp.
- The ghost town’s best-preserved structures are at nearby Tunnel Camp, featuring a large red brick building that served as mill office.
The Birth of a Mining Boomtown
When S.B. and Starr Hill founded Mazuma in 1906 at the mouth of Seven Troughs Canyon, they established what would quickly become the heart of Nevada’s bustling Seven Troughs mining district.
You’ll find the town’s strategic location played an essential role in its rapid growth, as it served as a central hub for miners and transients seeking their fortunes.
Within six weeks of its founding, the town had established three restaurants and saloons, marking the beginning of its vibrant commercial district.
The town’s infrastructure grew rapidly, including a water supply system from Wild Horse Canyon that cost $25,000.
Gold Rush Dreams and Early Development
The discovery of gold and silver ore by Lovelock blacksmith Joe Therien in 1905 sparked a mining frenzy that would transform Seven Troughs Canyon.
You’ll find that this initial gold discovery led to mining operations spreading across the canyon, with the richest deposits concentrated near its upper reaches.
By 1907, the bustling town of Mazuma was established and quickly became the central hub for the district’s mining operations. The town grew to include multiple drug stores and saloons, catering to the influx of prospectors and miners.
Life in Mazuma’s Golden Days
As Mazuma sprang to life in 1906, miners and their families quickly established a vibrant community in Seven Troughs Canyon. You’d have found a bustling town centered around gold mining operations, where general stores like Preston’s and Kremer & Baker’s served as hubs for daily necessities and community gatherings.
The town’s lifeblood flowed through its mining infrastructure, including a sophisticated Huntington mill that could process 10 tons of ore daily. The Darby Mill survived the destructive flash flood that would later devastate the town.
Mining families adapted to the rugged lifestyle, with their daily routines revolving around the rhythms of mine shifts and mill operations. While education and religious activities remained informal, the social fabric held strong through the shared experiences of frontier life.
The post office, opened in 1907, connected residents to the outside world, making Mazuma feel less isolated. By 1912, the town had grown to include approximately one-tenth of residents who would tragically perish in the devastating flood.
The Fateful Day: July 18, 1912
You’ll find that July 18, 1912, marked a devastating turning point for Mazuma when a massive cloudburst struck Granite Peak around 5:00 pm.
The resulting flash flood formed a twenty-foot wall of water that mixed with deadly mining chemicals as it rushed down Seven Troughs Canyon, destroying nearly everything in its path. The flood caused an estimated $200,000 in damages to the mining community.
Eight people died immediately in the catastrophe, with several more succumbing to injuries later, making this one of Nevada’s most tragic flash floods. The town’s post office closed permanently just months after the disaster in November 1912.
Deadly Waters Strike Town
On July 18, 1912, disaster struck Mazuma when a massive wall of water, 10 to 20 feet high, surged down Seven Troughs Canyon and decimated the bustling mining town.
Despite attempts at a flood warning by Ed Kalenbauch and Ellsworth Bennett, storm-related electrical interference garbled their telephone message to mere fragments. You’d have witnessed the devastating force as floodwaters carried away mining equipment, businesses, and homes, leaving only a few structures standing, including Preston’s Hotel. The Coalition Mining Plant and its valuable bullion vault were completely destroyed.
The community’s resilience was tested as the disaster claimed 8 to 11 lives, including the Keheo family and several other residents. Lovelock Relief Committee raised nearly $6,000 to help the devastated community recover.
Property damage reached $200,000, a devastating blow to the local economy. While doctors, nurses, and aid workers rushed from Lovelock to help survivors, the town’s fate was sealed, marking the beginning of Mazuma’s end.
Cloudbursts From Granite Peak
The deadly floodwaters that devastated Mazuma began with an ominous storm formation over Granite Peak at 5 p.m. on July 18, 1912.
You’d have witnessed humid winds surging up Seven Troughs Canyon, feeding massive thunderheads that transformed into a towering black column. The storm’s impact was swift and merciless, releasing a violent cloudburst that sent a 10-foot wall of water cascading down the canyon’s steep terrain.
Despite flood warnings from Ed Kalenbauch and Ellsworth Bennett in Seven Troughs, their desperate phone calls to Mazuma were thwarted by lightning interference.
Only the word “water” made it through to Fred Preston’s hotel. The flood gathered strength as multiple canyons converged, reaching a staggering height of 20 feet when it finally struck Mazuma.
Eight Lives Lost Forever
Mazuma’s catastrophic flood claimed eight lives on that fateful July evening in 1912, forever changing the small mining community.
The victim stories paint a devastating portrait of loss: the Kehoe family lost three young children under seven, while their mother later succumbed to her injuries after being recovered from the mud.
Edna Ruddell, the town’s postmistress, perished alongside miner M.C. Whalen and Mrs. Floyd Foncannon near Burnt Canyon.
- The community impact was immediate, as doctors and nurses rushed from nearby towns through impassable roads to aid survivors.
- Local undertakers worked by lantern light, searching for victims in the darkness.
- Governor Tasker Oddie mobilized state-wide Red Cross relief efforts to support the devastated town’s remaining residents.
Natural Forces and Human Loss
During a catastrophic cloudburst on July 18, 1912, floodwaters rushed down from Granite Peak through Seven Troughs Canyon, forming a twenty-foot wall of destruction that devastated Mazuma, Nevada.
The natural disaster’s impact was swift and merciless, sweeping away entire families, including the Kehoes – a mother and her four children.
You’ll find that the flood’s devastation wasn’t limited to human casualties; it caused nearly $200,000 in damage, destroying most structures except a few stores and the Mazuma Hills Mill.
While the community’s resilience showed in their attempts to warn others by telephone, the flood’s sudden fury cut communications short.
The combination of steep canyon walls, intense rainfall, and alluvial fans created perfect conditions for this deadly mudflow that would forever change Mazuma’s destiny.
Surviving Structures and Remnants
After nature’s devastating blow in 1912, remnants of Mazuma gradually diminished to scattered ruins, with only foundations, a solitary wall, and debris remaining by 1955.
You’ll find the most significant historical remnant, a bank vault, washed downstream in the canyon wash.
While Mazuma’s ruins exploration proves challenging due to erosion and washouts, nearby Tunnel Camp offers better-preserved structures of historical significance.
- A large red brick building, likely the mill office, stands among wooden cabins at Tunnel Camp
- Preston’s Hotel survived as the only undamaged major structure after the flood
- The cemetery between Mazuma and Tunnel Camp preserves weathered headstones of the Kehoe family
Today, you’ll need to park outside the hardest-hit zones and explore on foot to view what remains of this once-thriving mining town.
Ghost Town Tourism and Historical Sites
You’ll find a collection of preserved mining structures at Mazuma that offer glimpses into Nevada’s rich mining heritage.
The town’s cemetery and memorial sites serve as poignant reminders of the devastating 1912 flood that claimed numerous lives and largely destroyed the settlement.
When exploring these historical sites, you’ll need to come prepared with water and navigation tools, as the remote location presents typical ghost town accessibility challenges.
Exploring Preserved Mining Structures
Today’s visitors to Mazuma and the Seven Troughs mining district can explore some of Nevada’s best-preserved early 20th-century mining structures, with Tunnel Camp offering particularly impressive remains.
You’ll find remarkable examples of mining technology, from the region’s most complete surviving five-stamp mill to foundations of sophisticated ore processing facilities. While water management challenges ultimately led to the area’s decline, the structural integrity of several buildings has withstood time’s test.
- The large red brick office and wooden stamp mill at Tunnel Camp showcase the district’s industrial architecture.
- Mazuma Hills Mill and Preston Mill ruins demonstrate the evolution of ore processing capabilities.
- The relocated bank vault safe and scattered mining artifacts provide tangible connections to the region’s prosperous past.
Cemetery and Memorial Sites
Between the ghost towns of Mazuma and Tunnel Camp lies the haunting Seven Troughs Cemetery, where only a handful of weathered gravestones remain visible in the desert landscape.
You’ll find three barely legible markers bearing the names of George, Jimmy, and Ronnie Kehoe among the deteriorating remnants.
The cemetery’s historical significance stems from the devastating 1912 flood and fire that destroyed Mazuma town.
While cemetery preservation efforts have been minimal, the site serves as a poignant memorial to mining-era tragedy.
As part of the ghost town tourism circuit, you can explore nearby ruins including the Tunnel Camp stamp mill and mining structures.
The remote location and sparse amenities reflect the raw, untamed nature of Nevada’s mining heritage, offering you an authentic glimpse into the region’s volatile past.
Preserving Mazuma’s Mining Heritage
Despite the devastating 1912 flood that destroyed much of Mazuma, significant remnants of this important Nevada mining town still stand today at Tunnel Camp.
You’ll find several well-preserved structures showcasing advanced mining techniques from the early 1900s, including a distinctive red brick building and operational stamp mills that once processed up to 10 tons of ore daily.
Preservation challenges continue as the harsh desert environment takes its toll on these historical treasures, but dedicated efforts maintain key sites for future generations:
- The Mazuma Hills Mill and surviving store buildings
- A remote cemetery commemorating flood victims
- Mining infrastructure remnants, including tailings and processing facilities
The site’s $600-per-ton gold yields and sophisticated cyanide processing plants demonstrate Mazuma’s essential role in Nevada’s mining heritage, making preservation efforts critical for understanding this chapter of American frontier history.
Frequently Asked Questions
What Native American Tribes Originally Inhabited the Mazuma Area?
You’ll find the Northern Paiute (Numu) were the primary Native tribes in Mazuma’s area, with cultural significance extending through western Nevada, while Washoe and Western Shoshone peoples occasionally traversed the region.
How Deep Were the Gold Mines of Mazuma?
You’ll find that gold mining at Mazuma reached depths around 300-700 feet, with the main tunnel stretching 10,000 feet. Mining techniques included drift tunnels and machine drilling to access rich ore bodies.
What Was the Average Daily Wage for Miners in Mazuma?
You wouldn’t believe it, but the average miner’s wage history shows they earned $5 for an 8-hour workday in 1907, which translates to roughly 62.5 cents per hour for their labor.
Were There Any Documented Paranormal Activities in Mazuma’s Ghost Town?
You’ll find documented ghost sightings near the flood-ravaged ruins, with paranormal investigators reporting haunted locations in old mining structures, dugouts, and the graveyard where nine victims rest from the 1912 disaster.
Did Any Other Natural Disasters Affect Mazuma Before the 1912 Flood?
You won’t find any records of prior natural disasters – no earthquake impacts or fire hazards affected Mazuma before the 1912 flood. The town operated without major environmental disruptions.
References
- https://nevadamagazine.com/issue/summer-2024/24209/
- https://www.nvexpeditions.com/pershing/mazuma.php
- https://westernmininghistory.com/towns/nevada/mazuma/
- https://wiki.blackrockdesert.org/wiki/Mazuma
- https://travelnevada.com/ghost-town/seven-troughs-ghost-town/
- https://travelnevada.com/nevada-magazine/the-disaster-at-mazuma/
- https://www.greatbasinbicycles.com/new-blog/2024/10/23/seven-troughs-mining-district-loop
- https://nevadamagazine.com/issue/february-april-2022/19385/
- https://www.greatbasinbicycles.com/new-blog/2020/7/7/mazuma-seven-troughs-mountain-range-lovelock-nevada
- https://nevadamagazine.com/issue/may-june-2019/10064/
