Eureka County
Established at the beginning of 1873, Eureka County began not only because of its wealth of minerals, but also because of industrial strengths as well. Dubbed the "Pittsburg of the West", the town of Eureka was first settled in 1864 by a group of silver prospectors from nearby Austin, who discovered rock containing a silver-lead ore on nearby Prospect Peak. The town became the county seat in 1873, when Eureka County was carved out of adjacent Lander, Elko, and White Pine Counties. Mining became the town's economic mainstay, especially for lead, as the nearby hillsides ranked as Nevada's second-richest mineral producer, behind western Nevada's Comstock Lode. The population boomed, reaching a high of 10,000 by 1878, but shrank as decreasing mine production and changing market conditions led to the closing of mines. Evidence of Eureka's huge mining industry still continues today with its carved out hillsides and open pits.
One of six "open" counties, Eureka is a quiet place, with little happening in the way of life. Then again, that's just how its residents like it. Today, Eureka is a mere shadow of what it once was, a bustling metropolis among sagebrush with blackening smoke from its mills clouding up the sky for as far as the eye could see. Today, mining is Eureka's staple. In fact, two of Nevada's largest mines are located here in Eureka County and because of this, Eureka is a somewhat wealthy county. It doesn't face the sad economic loom as its neighbor Lander. In fact, just the opposite. The Eureka of today is a restored place funded by the very same mines that started the town and sits today as a quiet tourist stop on America's Loneliest Road. Some of the town's oldest buildings now sit proudly today restored and full of life, such as the Eureka Opera House, built in 1880 and restored in 1993 and the Eureka Sentinel Building, erected in 1879. It's residents are full of life and proud of their 'city', dubbing it: "The Friendliest Town on the Loneliest Road".
As for the historic markers, well, Eureka isn't so exciting. In fact, it's probably one of the easiest to conquer. 3 of the 8 markers will force you off of US 50, requiring you a long diversion into lonely country near Palisade, Beowawe and Diamond Valley. However, it still makes for an interesting view into some of Nevada's earliest and best mining history. Eureka is the only town of significant size in the entire county, so needless to say, this is where you're stay will be. It's equipped with a few gas stations, a small grocery store and a few 'name brand' motels. Other than that, use this town of 650 people as a quiet base camp for your marker hunting because you can conquer all of them in one day if you wish.
Historical Markers of Eureka County (8)
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