Goldfield Historical Society Does Its Job Well

 

Goldfield High School

   It’s no understatement to say that a community like Goldfield, Nevada, is jammed with history. Once the largest city in the state, Goldfield played an important role in the development of the state in the early part of the 20th century.

   Fortunately, the people of Goldfield cherish and understand their history. In fact, the Goldfield Historical Society has done an excellent job of preserving the Goldfield story and boasts one of the best websites for anyone interested in learning more about the town that long boasted it was the official “World’s Greatest Gold Camp.”

   In recent years, the society has devoted considerable time and energy to raising funds for the restoration of the historic Goldfield High School, which was built in 1906-07.

   The school, which was in use until 1953, is an impressive three-story brick and stone structure that boasts 12 classrooms, an auditorium, offices, bathrooms and a large attic (which once housed a large water tank).

   It was designed to accommodate 450 students and cost an estimated $100,000 when in was completed. Unfortunately, after closing the school remained vacant and abandoned for the next half-decade.

   In recent years, the society has been able to receive funding and grants that have allowed for restoring the foundation, rebuilding exterior walls, and is currently replacing the roof. The society plans to use the school as a community center once the renovations are completed.

   Another aspect of the society’s website that is valuable for anyone interested in the community’s past are its informative sections on the history of Goldfield, the story of the Tonopah and Goldfield Railroad, the city’s early 20th century building boom and the saga of the devasting fire that destroyed much of the community in 1923.

   Additionally, there are short histories on noteworthy buildings such as the Goldfield Hotel, the Charles S. Sprague House, and other local landmarks that have survived the years.

   There are also interesting features on former residents of the community with interesting backstories, such as legendary lawman Claude Inman and George Grahm Rice, a cagey mine promoter during the town’s boom times. 

   Enhancing the site is a nice historic photo gallery with some 16 images of Goldfield during its heyday during the early 20th century.

   For anyone who plans to travel to Goldfield, which is located about three-and-a-half hours south of Fallon via U.S. 95, there is a link to an exceptional Goldfield Walking Tour brochure that can be downloaded.

   The 12-page booklet offers information on nearly 200 historical structures still standing and locations of significant buildings now gone (although ruins may remain). It also provides a good and extensive historical overview of the community, which traces its beginnings to the discovery of gold on the slopes of nearby Columbia Mountain in 1902.

   The pamphlet notes that in addition to the 1923 fire, Goldfield also barely survived a destructive flashflood in 1913, which destroyed many homes and washed out railroad tracks, and a later fire, in 1924, that burned several of the town’s more substantial downtown structures.

   A second walking tour guide that is also downloadable on the site is devoted to the Goldfield Cemetery.

   To access the Goldfield Historical Society’s website, go to: http://www.goldfieldhistoricalsociety.com/.