Historical Markers of Elko County
Location: Northern Elko County, Salmon Falls Creek, Contact Directions: Along US 93, 52 miles north of Wells
Date Conquered: 5/14/08 Nearest Intersection: BLM road to Contact Quick Description: A marker remembering the short-lived mining camp of Contact. Signed: No -- Historically, this marker was signed. (No signs exist today.) The old remains of Contact lie just up this road. Like many of Nevada's old towns, the mine is actively being worked today. Beware of many posted "No Trespassing" signs. Full Description: Exact description as reads ... In the 1870s gold was mined in Contact, and a five-ton smelter, built in Contact, ceased functioning after three test runs. But with a renewal of mining in 1905, Contact was laid out below the older camp in a more favorable location near the Salmon Falls River. Businesses were established including a hotel, several saloons, and a store. The weekly Contact Miner provided a voice beginning in 1913. During WWI a large amount of copper was mined. The Union Pacific Railroad built the Oregon Short Line which ran nearby in 1926. Mining resumed. In 1928-1930 Contact had a population of 260 people, saloons, a hotel, post office, school, electric power and a water system was brought to camp in anticipation of a large mining expansion. But a depressed copper market shelved the camp's dreams of permanence. Thereafter Contact was relocated on U.S. 93 and became a tourist stop. Does anyone else disagree with the last line on the plaque? A "tourist stop?"
Full Description: Exact description as reads ... In the 1870s gold was mined in Contact, and a five-ton smelter, built in Contact, ceased functioning after three test runs. But with a renewal of mining in 1905, Contact was laid out below the older camp in a more favorable location near the Salmon Falls River. Businesses were established including a hotel, several saloons, and a store. The weekly Contact Miner provided a voice beginning in 1913. During WWI a large amount of copper was mined. The Union Pacific Railroad built the Oregon Short Line which ran nearby in 1926. Mining resumed. In 1928-1930 Contact had a population of 260 people, saloons, a hotel, post office, school, electric power and a water system was brought to camp in anticipation of a large mining expansion. But a depressed copper market shelved the camp's dreams of permanence. Thereafter Contact was relocated on U.S. 93 and became a tourist stop. Does anyone else disagree with the last line on the plaque? A "tourist stop?"
In the 1870s gold was mined in Contact, and a five-ton smelter, built in Contact, ceased functioning after three test runs. But with a renewal of mining in 1905, Contact was laid out below the older camp in a more favorable location near the Salmon Falls River. Businesses were established including a hotel, several saloons, and a store. The weekly Contact Miner provided a voice beginning in 1913. During WWI a large amount of copper was mined. The Union Pacific Railroad built the Oregon Short Line which ran nearby in 1926. Mining resumed. In 1928-1930 Contact had a population of 260 people, saloons, a hotel, post office, school, electric power and a water system was brought to camp in anticipation of a large mining expansion. But a depressed copper market shelved the camp's dreams of permanence. Thereafter Contact was relocated on U.S. 93 and became a tourist stop. Does anyone else disagree with the last line on the plaque? A "tourist stop?"
The Union Pacific Railroad built the Oregon Short Line which ran nearby in 1926. Mining resumed. In 1928-1930 Contact had a population of 260 people, saloons, a hotel, post office, school, electric power and a water system was brought to camp in anticipation of a large mining expansion. But a depressed copper market shelved the camp's dreams of permanence. Thereafter Contact was relocated on U.S. 93 and became a tourist stop. Does anyone else disagree with the last line on the plaque? A "tourist stop?"
Thereafter Contact was relocated on U.S. 93 and became a tourist stop. Does anyone else disagree with the last line on the plaque? A "tourist stop?"
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