Skip to Content

Olinghouse Nevada

Olinghouse Nevada

Olinghouse Nevada Overview

Named for a former teamster-turned-sheepman, Elias Olinghouse, who settled at the base of the Pah Rah mountain range.

Olinghouse bought several mining claims and erected a small stamp mill in 1903 to process ores.

Both electric and telephone service was installed in 1903, and in 1907 the standard-gauge Nevada Railroad arrived.

Category

  • Mining
  • Railroad
  • Ranching
  • Farming

Marker Type

The marker was reported missing, there is no estimated date for replacement. 

Nevada Historical Marker Number

Olinghouse Nevada is Nevada Historical Marker #24.

Click here to view the complete list of Nevada State Historical Markers.

County

Washoe County, Nevada

GPS Coordinates

39.649233-119.320997

Nevada Historical Marker Transcription

Named for a former teamster-turned-sheepman, Elias Olinghouse, who settled in a quiet canyon at the base of the Pah Rah mountain range to get away from it all. As prospecting activities increased about him, Olinghouse was caught up in the whirl of things, buying several claims and erecting a small stamp mill in 1903 to process ores.

The district was first prospected in 1860; it was not organized, however, until 1899. Shortly thereafter, the region reached its peak of activity, producing $410,000 in gold and silver values between 1898 and 1903.

Both electric and telephone service were installed in 1903, and in 1907 the standard-gauge Nevada Railroad arrived. This short-lived railroad was completed from a junction on the Southern Pacific near Wadsworth to Olinghouse in February of 1907; regular operations ceased on November 1, 1907. Aside from its short life, the Nevada Railroad Company was distinguished by having the first Shay-geared locomotives to be used in Nevada.

Sporadic activity has continued at Olinghouse until the present time. Total production is estimated to have been $520,000.

STATE HISTORICAL MARKER No. 24

STATE HISTORIC PRESERVATION OFFICE

References Used

Olinghouse Nevada