Historical Markers of Elko County
Location: Elko Directions: Along Old US 40 (Idaho Street) west of Mountain City Hwy (SR 225)
N40° 49' 32.1" W115° 46' 47.8"
Date Conquered: 9/23/07 Nearest Intersection: Mountain City Hwy (SR 225) Quick Description: A unique marker honoring the only successful oil extraction from Nevada shale. Signed: No -- Historically, this marker was never signed. Full Description: Exact description as reads ... Directly south of this point and across the valley floor are the remains of a short-lived oil extraction plant, which reached the peak of its productive capacity in the early twenties. Driving of the main shaft began in 1916. Of several tries at extracting oil from shale, this was the only successful operation in Nevada. Robert M. Gatlin, Sr. spent many years experimenting on the extraction of crude oil from these beds before beginning the commercial production of oil. After a production period of less than two years, the plant was closed in the fall of 1924. Hi-power Catlin oil was too expensive to compete with the fossil oils of that day. Easily 50 years ahead of his time, Catlin did, for a few years, give Elkoans and Nevadans, a dream and the community an oil boom in the Roaring Twenties. Although it may not look it, this is actually a great location for this marker. Before the building of this tool rental center, #229 had nice views of the shale-covered hills from which the oil was extracted from. Today, the hills are visible behind the business. Notice the poor condition of the road. This is the original US 40, which can be still be traveled in many parts of Nevada, or through any of the "main streets" in the I-80 towns. Shown here is the twenty mile stretch of Idaho Street! (Taken one mile outside of the Elko limits.)
Full Description: Exact description as reads ... Directly south of this point and across the valley floor are the remains of a short-lived oil extraction plant, which reached the peak of its productive capacity in the early twenties. Driving of the main shaft began in 1916. Of several tries at extracting oil from shale, this was the only successful operation in Nevada. Robert M. Gatlin, Sr. spent many years experimenting on the extraction of crude oil from these beds before beginning the commercial production of oil. After a production period of less than two years, the plant was closed in the fall of 1924. Hi-power Catlin oil was too expensive to compete with the fossil oils of that day. Easily 50 years ahead of his time, Catlin did, for a few years, give Elkoans and Nevadans, a dream and the community an oil boom in the Roaring Twenties. Although it may not look it, this is actually a great location for this marker. Before the building of this tool rental center, #229 had nice views of the shale-covered hills from which the oil was extracted from. Today, the hills are visible behind the business. Notice the poor condition of the road. This is the original US 40, which can be still be traveled in many parts of Nevada, or through any of the "main streets" in the I-80 towns. Shown here is the twenty mile stretch of Idaho Street! (Taken one mile outside of the Elko limits.)
Directly south of this point and across the valley floor are the remains of a short-lived oil extraction plant, which reached the peak of its productive capacity in the early twenties. Driving of the main shaft began in 1916. Of several tries at extracting oil from shale, this was the only successful operation in Nevada. Robert M. Gatlin, Sr. spent many years experimenting on the extraction of crude oil from these beds before beginning the commercial production of oil. After a production period of less than two years, the plant was closed in the fall of 1924. Hi-power Catlin oil was too expensive to compete with the fossil oils of that day. Easily 50 years ahead of his time, Catlin did, for a few years, give Elkoans and Nevadans, a dream and the community an oil boom in the Roaring Twenties. Although it may not look it, this is actually a great location for this marker. Before the building of this tool rental center, #229 had nice views of the shale-covered hills from which the oil was extracted from. Today, the hills are visible behind the business. Notice the poor condition of the road. This is the original US 40, which can be still be traveled in many parts of Nevada, or through any of the "main streets" in the I-80 towns. Shown here is the twenty mile stretch of Idaho Street! (Taken one mile outside of the Elko limits.)
Robert M. Gatlin, Sr. spent many years experimenting on the extraction of crude oil from these beds before beginning the commercial production of oil. After a production period of less than two years, the plant was closed in the fall of 1924. Hi-power Catlin oil was too expensive to compete with the fossil oils of that day. Easily 50 years ahead of his time, Catlin did, for a few years, give Elkoans and Nevadans, a dream and the community an oil boom in the Roaring Twenties. Although it may not look it, this is actually a great location for this marker. Before the building of this tool rental center, #229 had nice views of the shale-covered hills from which the oil was extracted from. Today, the hills are visible behind the business. Notice the poor condition of the road. This is the original US 40, which can be still be traveled in many parts of Nevada, or through any of the "main streets" in the I-80 towns. Shown here is the twenty mile stretch of Idaho Street! (Taken one mile outside of the Elko limits.)
Easily 50 years ahead of his time, Catlin did, for a few years, give Elkoans and Nevadans, a dream and the community an oil boom in the Roaring Twenties. Although it may not look it, this is actually a great location for this marker. Before the building of this tool rental center, #229 had nice views of the shale-covered hills from which the oil was extracted from. Today, the hills are visible behind the business. Notice the poor condition of the road. This is the original US 40, which can be still be traveled in many parts of Nevada, or through any of the "main streets" in the I-80 towns. Shown here is the twenty mile stretch of Idaho Street! (Taken one mile outside of the Elko limits.)
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