Artesia Nevada
Artesia Nevada Overview
Artesia was located in Lyon County, Nevada about 18 miles north-northwest of Smith.
Learn more about Ghost Town in Nevada and Ghost Towns in the Southwest.
Year Established/Founded
I have found references to the Artesia Settlement in 1875 but not sure if it is in the same area.
Artesia Nevada History
Not much is found other than this reference:
Small homesteaders arrived as early as 1907 and by 1910 a change in Homestead Act and nearby copper mining brought a land rush to the area around Artesia Lake. Many land claims were filed and wells were drilled at a furious pace. Many of the settlers had come to work at Ludwig and some continued to work there while developing their lands. The transfer of the Buckskin post office to Artesia in July 1914 showed its rising importance and a school was soon opened. But after a few years, it was evident that the wells could not provide enough water to irrigate lands and support the homesteaders. Many of them sold out or abandoned their farms in the early 1920s the post office was removed in 1926. Abandoned buildings remain.
Post Office
July 1914 – 1926
View the list and history of Nevada Post Offices.

Yerington Times • Yerington, Nevada • 01 Aug 1914, Sat • Page 1
NEW POST OFFICE – ARTESIA
George Deveraux has been appointed postmaster at Artesia, Smith Valley, Lyon county, and was in Yerington yesterday and today getting his bond and other papers fixed so he can legally transact business. Artesia is the name of a new community in Smith Valley and is appropriately named, being in the artesian belt of that section. The establishment of this postoffice does away with the postoffice at Buckskin, -but the people -of that part of the county will be served by the office at Artesia as it is but a short distance from Buckskin. George will perform the duties of the office with, accuracy and dignity and when we went on his bond he agreed to not read postal cards over more than once while the party they are addressed to is waiting for their delivery.
Newspaper
Unknown
The Population of Artesia Nevada
The 1920 United State Federal Census shows 34 residents.
Elevation
4,561′
GPS Coordinates
38° 57′ 13.69″ N, 119° 22′ 31.58″ W
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References Used
- United States Geological Survey – Artesia Nevada
- Paher, Stanley. Nevada Ghost Towns and Mining Camps, Howell-North Books, 1970, p. 86
- Newspapers.com