Historical Markers of Nye County


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*HM 173*


-- Beatty (Center of the Gold Railroads -- "Chicago of the West") --

Location: Southern Nye County, Beatty
Directions: Along US 95 (Main Street), S end of Beatty
** BICENTENNIAL MARKER **

Location: 1
Visibility: 2
Accessibility: 1
Marker type: St (L)
   

Date Conquered: 10/18/08
Nearest Intersection: Between W. Amargosa & Valley Sts.
Quick Description: A marker honoring Beatty and its crossroads of three railroads.
Signed: No -- Historically, this marker was signed. (No signs exist today.)

NOTES: This one is NOT SIGNED and can be tough to spot, especially if you're coming from the north (southbound 95). Fortunately there is a large median here for marker viewing. About 1/4 mile south of the junction (the only one in town), US 95 will make a slight curve out of town. #173 awaits your arrival here.

Full Description:
Exact description as reads...

Beatty was the center of three short-lived, so-called "gold" railroads that were spawned by the strikes of the early 1900's in Tonopah, Goldfield and Rhyolite. "During 1906-'07 three railroads were built in this area. The Las Vegas and Tonopah built from Las Vegas through Beatty and Rhyolite to Goldfield. The Bullfrog Goldfield built south from Goldfield to Beatty and Rhyolite. The Tonopah and Tidewater built north from Ludlow, California to Gold Center and used the BG tracks from Gold Center to Beatty and Rhyolite until 1914." Rancher M.M. Beatty drove the last spike here on April 18, 1907, marking the completion of the first and only north-south railroad system in the state. Rails were torn up at Beatty beginning on July 18, 1942. "From The Railroads of Nevada, Vol. I, by David F. Myrick, Courtesy of Howell-North Books."

Notice the slight curve in US 95.

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