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Esmeralda County
  • Area: 3,589 sq. miles
  • Population: 1,262 (2006 census)
  • Founded: November 25, 1861
  • Major Highways: US 95, US 6, NV 266
  • Seat: Goldfield (440)
  • Largest Community: Goldfield (440)
  • Highest Point: Boundary Peak (13,147') (The Highest Point in Nevada)
  • The least populated county in Nevada! One of the original counties founded.

Wedged against the California State Line in between Tonopah and Bishop, lightly populated Esmeralda County (AKA "Essy"), is a testament to the old way of life that still lingers in open, rural Nevada. Such towns as Silver Peak and Gold Point stand proud as they did a hundred years ago, sometimes in shambles, but mostly in spirit. Even Essy's largest community, Goldfield, resembles more of a drive through a museum, than the governing body of a remote, desert county. As a result, Essy's charm lies in its figure of the past. With a total population of less than 1,300, Essy doesn't need to grow anymore. In fact, according to one of it's residents... "It's grown too much already."

As you would expect, driving through lonely Essy County is something of the wonderful for any desert rat. For anybody else, well, it's a race to the finish line. Essy is truly a desolate landscape, with services very far and few between. Fortunately, Tonopah, Central Nevada's hub of activity, serves as a nice, base launch, although technically residing in Nye County, Tonopah gladly caters to any of Essy's residents for food and services. Use this is a base jump, making sure to fill up EVERY TIME you leave to discover the lonely, but abundant hidden treasures this little county has to offer. All of the markers within Essy lie right off the highway and all are attainable within a day's drive, but the challenge comes in the long driving in between. ALL of Essy's markers are spaced greatly apart, so expect a lot of road time if you decide to visit them. Most of Essy's markers tell of Nevada's repitition of boom & bust, the finding of gold and silver in old mining camps that have almost been lost or forgotten by history. As you visit each one, imagine putting yourself, pasting yourself to this landscape in search of something that may or may not be there. Who knows... you might just find something else to see here.


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Historical Markers of Esmeralda County (10)

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