Hiko Nevada
Hiko Nevada Overview
Hiko, Nevada, is a “semi-ghost town” that is situated in the Pahranagat range of mountains in Lincoln County, Nevada. Also spelled Hyko, it is supposedly a Shoshone term that means either “white man” or “white man’s town.”
Today, there are several buildings from the mining era.
Year Established/Founded
1865
Hiko Nevada History
The town was founded by William Raymond when he purchased several of the twenty-six mines in the Pahranagat Valley area. Using capital, he purchased the machinery needed for a five-stamp mill, which he shipped via the Colorado River to Calville and then headed 140 miles north by oxen to deliver the machinery. Once the mill was built, he laid out a townsite. In addition to the mill, Raymond established roads and buildings to the tune of almost a million dollars for a venture that would eventually fail.
As early as 1865, a camp was established here and in the Spring of 1866, Colonel W.H. Raymond and others laid out the townsite. Hiko, situated in the Pahranagat range of mountains, is an Indian expression for “white man’s town.” Raymond, with Eastern capital, purchased the machinery for a five-stamp mill and had it shipped via the Colorado River to Callville, then hauled by oxen the 140 miles to this site. In November 1866, milling was begun on Pahranagat ores and soon after, Hiko became the first county seat of Lincoln County in March 1867. Raymond spent nearly $900,000 building roads, erecting dwellings, setting up the mill, prospecting, and mining before the enterprise failed. The mill was moved to Bullionville in 1870 and consequently, Hiko declined in population and importance. The decline was accelerated after the removal of the county government to Pioche in February 1871.
Mines
Silver mines.
Timeline
- March 1865 – The location of silver was shown to prospectors by the local native Americans in the Pahranagat Valley, and Hiko – then also spelled Hyko – was established.
- Spring 1866 – Colonel William H. Raymond and others laid out the townsite and a few hundred new residents moved to the town.
- November 1866 – Milling began on Pahranagat ores
- March 1867 – Hiko became the first county seat of Lincoln County.
- 1869 or 1870 – Raymond dismantled the mill and took it with him to Bullionville, which consequently, Hiko declined in population and importance.
- February 19871 – The decline was accelerated after the removal of the county government to Pioche.
The Population of Hiko Nevada
124 residents as of the 2020 census.
Historical Points of Interest in Lincoln County
The town was inducted as Nevada Historic Marker #206 in 1976. Click here to view all of the Nevada Historic Markers by county.
Visit nearby Crystal Springs which was also inducted in 1976 as Nevada Historical Marker #205.
Post Office
- Pah Ranagat Post Office – Mar. 25, 1867 – Jun. 24, 1867
- Hiko Post Office – Jun. 24, 1867 – Jan. 29, 2011
Elevation
3,869 feet
GPS Coordinates
37.5969036, -115.2241887
The Best Time of Year to Visit Hiko Nevada
Hiko has mild spring and summer but cold winters. The best time of year to explore Hiko is late spring through early fall.
Below are the average highs and lows for each month with the total days of rainfall for each month.
- January – 50° / 24° – 2 days
- February – 57° / 28° – 2 days
- March – 62° / 32° – 4 days
- April – 70° / 36° – 2 days
- May – 80° / 44° – 1 day
- June – 91° / 53° – 1 day
- July – 96° / 59° – 2 days
- August – 94° / 58° – 2 days
- September – 86° / 51° – 1 day
- October – 75° / 41° – 2 days
- November – 60° / 30° – 2 days
- December – 53° / 25° – 2 days
Things to Do in Hiko Nevada
- Leviathan Cave – Worthington Mountains Wilderness
- White River Petroglyphs
- Crystal Wash Rock Art and Winter Camp
References Used
Hiko Nevada
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Sunday 29th of January 2023
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