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The restored Midas Schoolhouse is one of the many historic buildings found in the old mining town of Midas.
Boxer Jack Dempsey is said to have spent time in Midas. So, it's been reported, did Bing Crosby, several Nevada governors and George Wingfield, the Reno banker and mining magnate who once controlled the state's political power structure.
In fact, Midas, located about 60 miles northeast of Winnemucca, was considered such a promising mining camp that the Carson City Daily Appeal reported in 1907 that it was "one of the greatest strikes in the history of the state."
Gold was discovered in the area that became Midas in the spring of 1907. The district was originally named Gold Circle (or, alternately, Golden Circle) because the gold deposits were found in a kind of circular-shaped mineral belt.
Author Dana R. Bennett, who wrote about the history of Midas in her book, "Forward With Enthusiasm, Midas, Nevada, 1907-1995," notes that several other towns attempted to get started in the region, including one called Summit, Gold Circle was the most successful.
In late 1907, a post office was established. Federal officials, however, rejected the name Gold Circle because postal authorities believed Nevada already had too many towns with the word "gold" in their names.
A second choice, Midas, was selected in honor of not only the fabled king with the golden touch but because one of the region's principal gold mines was the "Midas."
In fact, Midas, located about 60 miles northeast of Winnemucca, was considered such a promising mining camp that the Carson City Daily Appeal reported in 1907 that it was "one of the greatest strikes in the history of the state."
Gold was discovered in the area that became Midas in the spring of 1907. The district was originally named Gold Circle (or, alternately, Golden Circle) because the gold deposits were found in a kind of circular-shaped mineral belt.
Author Dana R. Bennett, who wrote about the history of Midas in her book, "Forward With Enthusiasm, Midas, Nevada, 1907-1995," notes that several other towns attempted to get started in the region, including one called Summit, Gold Circle was the most successful.
In late 1907, a post office was established. Federal officials, however, rejected the name Gold Circle because postal authorities believed Nevada already had too many towns with the word "gold" in their names.
A second choice, Midas, was selected in honor of not only the fabled king with the golden touch but because one of the region's principal gold mines was the "Midas."
By late 1907, the town had grown to more than 250 people. The mines began to attract the attention of the state's larger mining investors including George Wingfield, who had made millions developing Goldfield.
The population boomed during the next year, cresting at about 1,500 in May 1908. That year, the town gained two newspapers, the Gold Circle Miner and the Gold Circle News, as well as a thriving business community that included lodging houses, general stores, assay offices, a bakery and several saloons.
Midas, however, wasn't quite the bonanza that it was originally thought to be. By 1909, the population had dipped to several hundred, which the town could apparently support.
During the next decade, Midas settled into a period of quiet prosperity. In 1915, a 50-ton cyanide mill was opened and, Bennett, notes, the district entered its most prosperous period.
During the next five years, Midas' mines generated more than 100,000 tons of gold ore and produced some $1.7 million.
Because of the town's remoteness, high transportation costs had cut into the earlier profits because the ore had to be sent so far away for processing. The local mill made mining more profitable and helped the town survive into the 1920s.
The population boomed during the next year, cresting at about 1,500 in May 1908. That year, the town gained two newspapers, the Gold Circle Miner and the Gold Circle News, as well as a thriving business community that included lodging houses, general stores, assay offices, a bakery and several saloons.
Midas, however, wasn't quite the bonanza that it was originally thought to be. By 1909, the population had dipped to several hundred, which the town could apparently support.
During the next decade, Midas settled into a period of quiet prosperity. In 1915, a 50-ton cyanide mill was opened and, Bennett, notes, the district entered its most prosperous period.
During the next five years, Midas' mines generated more than 100,000 tons of gold ore and produced some $1.7 million.
Because of the town's remoteness, high transportation costs had cut into the earlier profits because the ore had to be sent so far away for processing. The local mill made mining more profitable and helped the town survive into the 1920s.
The cyanide mill burned in 1922 and Midas entered a four-year depression. In 1926, however, a 75-ton mill was built near the town, which revived the district's mines. In the early-1930s, former heavyweight boxing champ Jack Dempsey visited and considered investing in Midas.
Midas' mines remained productive until the advent of the Second World War, when supplies became scarce. Since then, the town has seen mostly small to moderate mining operations.
Today, Midas still boasts a few dozen year-round residents. Driving up the canyon that leads to the middle of the town, you find new homes spread among the remains of the original buildings, many of which are still in use. At the north end of town, there is an old wooden miner's cabin, which has an ancient frying pan hanging over the front porch.
The main road continues another mile up the canyon to the old mine locations, including the "Miners Gold Mine," where you can find old ore cart rails and a few metal buildings.
One of the town's best-preserved buildings is the historic Midas School, built in 1927, which is located in the middle of the town. This classic, whitewashed, single-story, wood and shingle structure is in remarkably good condition. An old-fashioned, round wooden swing in front of the school is worthy of special notice.
To reach Midas, travel 16 miles east of Winnemucca on Interstate 80. Exit at Golconda and follow the signs to State Route 789, which is the road to Midas. The first 15 miles of the road are paved and the last 29 miles are gravel, which is passable most of the year without a four-wheel drive vehicle.
Midas' mines remained productive until the advent of the Second World War, when supplies became scarce. Since then, the town has seen mostly small to moderate mining operations.
Today, Midas still boasts a few dozen year-round residents. Driving up the canyon that leads to the middle of the town, you find new homes spread among the remains of the original buildings, many of which are still in use. At the north end of town, there is an old wooden miner's cabin, which has an ancient frying pan hanging over the front porch.
The main road continues another mile up the canyon to the old mine locations, including the "Miners Gold Mine," where you can find old ore cart rails and a few metal buildings.
One of the town's best-preserved buildings is the historic Midas School, built in 1927, which is located in the middle of the town. This classic, whitewashed, single-story, wood and shingle structure is in remarkably good condition. An old-fashioned, round wooden swing in front of the school is worthy of special notice.
To reach Midas, travel 16 miles east of Winnemucca on Interstate 80. Exit at Golconda and follow the signs to State Route 789, which is the road to Midas. The first 15 miles of the road are paved and the last 29 miles are gravel, which is passable most of the year without a four-wheel drive vehicle.
The trip to Midas is an opportunity to view some of Nevada's most historic and scenic backcountry. From Golconda, you travel east on Route 789, parallel to the railroad tracks and the Humboldt River.
This stretch retraces part of the original Emigrant Trail, the famous wagon train road across Nevada. Here, the highway passes through Emigrant Canyon, a beautiful, green passage that parallels the windy Humboldt River.
After the canyon, the terrain becomes flat and wide as you move north of the river and enter an area called Red House Flat. Along the way, you pass a handful of large ranches and miles of open range.
About 15 miles northeast of Golconda, the paved road ends and you begin driving on a good gravel road. Telephone poles, parallel to the road, and the occasional jackrabbit, are your only companions as you drive through the heart of Nevada's cow country.
After another ten miles, you reach the southern edge of the Owyhee Bluffs. There is something beautiful and majestic about these classic, upthrusting, rough-hewn cliff walls.
At about 26 miles from Golconda, there is a sign indicating that Midas is three miles north of route 789. Turn onto this dirt road and begin the gradual climb to the old town.
Nevada Traveler is written by Richard Moreno
This stretch retraces part of the original Emigrant Trail, the famous wagon train road across Nevada. Here, the highway passes through Emigrant Canyon, a beautiful, green passage that parallels the windy Humboldt River.
After the canyon, the terrain becomes flat and wide as you move north of the river and enter an area called Red House Flat. Along the way, you pass a handful of large ranches and miles of open range.
About 15 miles northeast of Golconda, the paved road ends and you begin driving on a good gravel road. Telephone poles, parallel to the road, and the occasional jackrabbit, are your only companions as you drive through the heart of Nevada's cow country.
After another ten miles, you reach the southern edge of the Owyhee Bluffs. There is something beautiful and majestic about these classic, upthrusting, rough-hewn cliff walls.
At about 26 miles from Golconda, there is a sign indicating that Midas is three miles north of route 789. Turn onto this dirt road and begin the gradual climb to the old town.
Nevada Traveler is written by Richard Moreno
