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Nightingale Nevada

Categories Nevada History

Ghost Towns in Pershing County Nevada » Nightingale Nevada

Nightingale, Nevada, once a bustling mining camp known for its tungsten production, is now a shadow of its former self. This ghost town, nestled in the Nightingale Range, bears the marks of a community that thrived briefly on the riches beneath its soil, leaving behind ruins that tell a story of both boom and decline.

Nightingale Nevada Overview

Located in Pershing County, Nightingale was a significant player in Nevada’s mining history, particularly during periods of high demand for tungsten. Established following the discovery of tungsten ore in 1917, the town witnessed several phases of mining activities, influenced heavily by the needs of wartime economies. Its life span, though short, was marked by intense industrial activity, evidenced by the remnants of its milling operations that still stand today.

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Year Established/Founded

Nightingale was founded after the discovery of tungsten ore in the area in 1917.

Nightingale Nevada History

The Nightingale mining district, named after Alanson W. Nightingill, a notable figure in the 1860s Pyramid Lake War, was home to the Nightingale Mine. This mine and others in the area, like the Alpine and Pershing Mines, were central to the region’s tungsten production, especially during World War II.

Timeline

  • 1917: Discovery of tungsten ore by Alex Ranson.
  • 1929: Tungsten Production company acquires mine claims.
  • 1933: Company name changes to Gold, Silver, & Tungsten Company.
  • 1930 – 1939: Intermittent operation of a 100-ton concentrator.
  • 1943: Rare Metals Corporation acquires Nightingale, Alpine, and Pershing Mines.
  • 1954 – 1956: Wolfram Company operates the mine.
  • 1970 – 1971: Space Metals Incorporated reworks old mine tailings.
  • 1950s: The mine is abandoned.

Mines

The Nightingale Mine was primarily a tungsten mine but also had deposits of arsenic and antimony, which were mined during World Wars I and II.

Railroads

Unknown at this time.

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Post Office

None.

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Newspaper

None.

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The Population of Nightingale Nevada

Unknown at this time.

Elevation

5,879 feet.

Location

Nightingale is located in the Nightingale Mountains, along the western border of Pershing County and extending into northeastern Washoe County.

GPS Coordinates

40.01417, -119.22861

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Photos and Videos

Today, Nightingale stands as a testament to the ebbs and flows of mining towns, its ruins a stark reminder of a once-thriving community driven by the demands of war and the allure of valuable minerals. Its story is one of rapid growth and equally swift decline, leaving behind a landscape etched with the memories of its past.

References Used

Click here to view our list of History of the Southwest – Books and Online Resources to learn more about our amazing area!