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Location: Colorado River Basin, Clark County, Nevada.
NEW LOCATION: Southern Clark County, "The Needle", Searchlight
Directions: "Located on U.S. Highway 95 in Searchlight, Nevada."
NEW DIRECTIONS: Along SR 164 in an NDOT Maintenance Station (Permission Required)
GPS based on original location:
N 35° 28.155 W 114° 55.396
Location: 1
Visibility: 10
Accessibility: 10
Marker type: St (M)
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Date Conquered: 3/15/09
Quick Description: A marker remembering the brief mining boom of Searchlight
Signed: Yes -- Surprisingly, #116 is still signed on both lanes of US 95! This marker could be re-erected very soon. Stay tuned!
Nice to see the signage still posted for this marker.
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NOTES: Make no mistake: Although #116 is missing from its location, it is still very much alive! When I arrived in Searchlight and found this marker to be MIA, I immediately had a hunch as to where it could be. Here's the deal: the turnout where #116 used to be is not only very difficult to spot as you enter Searchlight, but it doesn't provide much access for the typical marker hunter. In addition, hardly any space for parking exists in combination by a steep dropoff that borders the turnout. This turnout makes it somewhat disconcerting for marker viewing. Regardless, I cruised through Searchlight looking for the marker anyway before visiting the museum, and the cemetery and found nothing a big fat nothing. Then, I followed my hunch and took a turn onto SR 164 toward Nipton, when low and behold... I found the marker leaning upside-down in an NDOT maintenance yard. The yard sits directly southeast of the marker's supposed location (maybe a 1/4 mile as the crow flies.) Contrary to a few beliefs, this marker is STILL ALIVE, but it'll require a little permission to view it.
I arrived in Searchlight on a quiet Sunday morning and found the yard completely barren of people. Unlike many NDOT yards, however, this yard had no gate to keep visitors out. I later learned that the Searchlight maintenance yard is always open because it also acts as a secondary headquarters for the NHP. And there is the catch. Just because there isn't a gate, marker hunters shouldn't think they can pull right in to view the marker at any time. During my visit, I pulled into the yard, thinking I was scot-free... only to meet an NHP sitting in his car. I politely asked to view the marker and just to show I wasn't a thief or vandal, I gave him my business card for Nevada-Landmarks. He granted me permission and took off down the road. Unfortunately, no workers were posted at the yard that day to provide me with a little backstory, but I did recently gather some information as to why #116 was removed. Apparently, the turnout, right alongside US 95, is still a public site. However, my hunch was right (again.) The "lack of pullout to view the marker was too dangerous," and the marker was removed as a liability issue. Plans are in effect to re-erect #116 very soon. Personally, this case does hold water, considering the marker is in excellent condition and is still faced upside-down like it had just been removed less than a year ago. In closing, #116 is not back by any means. I just feel better that I have technically captured this missing marker and was able to shed some light on its disappearance. Enjoy.
The new home of #116
...And here she is my friends. #116 in all of it's upside-down glory!
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Full Description:
Exact description as reads ...
Many apologies I couldn't get a better picture of the plaque. As you can see, the plaque AND marker are in amazing condition! (Notice who the marker is sponsored by.)
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Initial discoveries of predominately gold ore were first made at this location on May 6, 1897. G. F. Colton filed the first claim, later to become the Duplex Mine.
The Quartette Mining Company, formed in 1900, became the mainstay of the Searchlight District, producing almost half of the area's total output. In May, 1902, a 16-mile narrow-gauge railroad was built down the hill to the company's mill on the Colorado River.
Searchlight began to boom in 1902 and reached its peak year in 1907. Up to 1940 total production amounted to $4.5 million.
On March 31, 1907, the 23.22-mile Barnwell and Searchlight Railroad connected the town with the then main Santa Fe line from Needles to Mojave.
By 1919 trains were operating over the B and S Railroad only twice a week. A severe washout on September 23, 1923, halted traffic completely. Train service was never restored.
#116 still faced upside-down, even after six months. Could NDOT be working on re-erecting the marker?
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View from the western fence of the maintenance yard. Please, do not enter the yard if there is no one present to ask permission. Being arrested for trespassing on a state facility isn't worth conquering a marker.
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** This is a PRIVATE STATE FACILITY. Permission is REQUIRED **
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