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Lander County
Yes, those were the glory days of Austin. Today, with its 340 residents, Austin is a mere shadow of what it was, clinging onto life by scrimping income from tourists driving through on the Loneliest Road. Due to this fact, Lander County reluctantly shifted the seat to Battle Mountain in 1979. Many "Austinians" believe that was the last draw to even remembering Austin as a full fledged town. Here in Nevada, if you have the seat, you have the power. Sadly, today's county seat, Battle Mountain, isn't really that interesting of a place. It's a true shame they had to move this precious claim, because Austin is one of the most picturesque towns in Nevada. Everything stands as it did, almost like time has abandoned the tiny town. Even the courthouse still stands in use, almost waiting for the state to give back to Austin what it once had. Today's Austin is a shrine of old western history, complete with beautiful scenery that surrounds it in all directions. For this reason, Austin is quickly becoming a destination for outdoors enthusiasts, people from hunters, anglers, backpackers and bicyclists who all make the long drive from Reno or Carson to splendor in Nevada's remote Toiyabe Range.
As for the historic markers, Lander is pretty easy to conquer because all but one of the markers is located right alongside our Loneliest Road, US 50. Don't forget about pesky Marker 95 in Battle Mountain, the marker that makes you divert 105 miles in the opposite direction from Austin. While you're capturing Lander for yourself, take some time and really explore Austin. It's people are some of the friendliest I've seen, extremely eager to talk about their canters and how they wish Nevada wouldn't give up on them. They take pride in their small, but historically rich town. Stop into the International and have a bite or two, shop some turquoise, or just have a picnic, a hike or an outdoors adventure in the majestic Toiyabes right at Austin's doorstep and not more than an hour to pristine streams and mountain terrain. There's much more here than just the markers! Austin has a few motels and the International hosts pretty much everything in town in terms of food, drink and gaming. Unfortunately, most of the services are in Battle Mountain and everything you need you'll find here, including repair shops, grocery store and a hospital. If you can, help out by staying in Austin. This will give support to the town's economy. Battle Mountain already has enough. Once you leave, I guarantee you'll want to be back...
~ Home of the Toiyabe Range; outdoorsman's paradise!
~ Historic town of Austin, once the 2nd largest city in Nevada
Named in honor of Gen. Frederick W. Lander, this county offers many a superlative to the casual Nevadan. One of six "open" counties, Lander is home to many tales of turbulation in the way of Austin, once Nevada's richest and largest town after Virginia City. Austin began as a silver mining camp in 1862 reputedly triggered by a Pony Express horse who kicked over a rock. By summer 1863, the Austin and the surrounding Reese River Mining District had a population of over 10,000, and it became the county seat of Lander County. The Nevada Central Railroad was built to connect Austin with the transcontinental railroad at Battle Mountain in 1880. However, by that time the boom was almost over. Today Austin is a "living ghost town", a well-preserved example of many early Nevada mining towns. It contains three churches, St. Augustine's Catholic Church, the Episcopal built in 1878 and the Methodist Church, built in 1866 and now used as a community center.
More interesting, Austin's claim to fame, The International Hotel, was first built in Virginia City in 1859 and moved to Austin in 1863. Today, the International still serves meals and drinks, and is said to be the oldest in Nevada.
Also, high quality turquoise is still mined in the area in small quantities and because of this, several shops in Austin manufacture jewelry from local turqoise, slowly reviving Austin again, but this time, as a turquoise mecca.
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