Named for the Texas city, Austin is an unincorporated community in Lander County, Nevada. Founded as part of a silver rush in 1862, Austin at one time had a population of more than ten thousand, and was the county seat from 1863 to 1979, when it was moved to Battle Mountain. Major silver production in the area ended by 1887 and, other than a slight revival in the 1910s, the town’s population has been in a steady decline, with a population of under two hundred at the time of the 2010 census. Turquoise is still mined in the area, as well as low levels of gold and silver mining, but today Austin is considered to be a living ghost town, popular with tourists who come to see its well-preserved buildings, which include four churches, a hotel, and Stokes Castle, a three-story stone tower built in 1897 by Anson Phelps Stokes. Austin is the headquarters of the Yomba Shoshone Tribe of Native Americans.
Recommended Resources
Owned and managed by the US Bureau of Land Management, the airport in Austin, Nevada is highlighted, including airport operations, communications and services, runway information, and operational statistics.
http://www.airnav.com/airport/TMT
The mission and philosophy of the public school district in Austin, Nevada are put forward, along with a school schedule, calendar of events, and a directory of faculty and staff.
http://austin.lander.k12.nv.us/
Created in 1992, the museum was located inside the Gridley Store until 2005, when it was moved to the former US Forest Service building on Austin, Nevada’s Main Street. Directions, an overview of its collections, programs and events, hours of operation, photographs, and contacts are posted.
http://www.austinnevadamuseum.com/
Maintained by the Greater Austin Chamber of Commerce, the site heralds the history of the town of Austin, Nevada, offering a profile of the community and a guide to area restaurants, bars, and lodging facilities, attractions, and business listings.
http://austinnevada.com/
Drycreek Godber Burnham Turquoise Mine
The Austin, Nevada turquoise mine is a family owned operation produces the raw material, as well as wire-wrap jewelry, cut stones, and other products. Its site offers a history of the mine and of mining in the Austin region.
http://www.woodsturquoise.com/
According to tradition, the town was founded in 1862 by a horse belonging W.H. Talbott, which accidentally kicked up a piece of quartz that contained gold and silver, resulting in a silver rush that brought the population of the town to above ten thousand. A brief history and several photographs of Austin are published.
http://www.ghosttowns.com/states/nv/austin.html
Once a booming silver town, the unincorporated community of Austin is located north of Las Vegas. This guide to Austin features local motels and RV parks, shops, cooperatives, organizations, real estate, attractions, and events.
http://www.goaustinnevada.com/
