The town of Goldfield is the seat of Esmeralda County, Nevada. As its name suggests, the town was established as a result of a gold rush, when gold was discovered in the area in 1902. Wyatt and Virgil Earp came to Goldfield in 1908, where Virgin served as a deputy sheriff for a short time before contracting pneumonia and passing away in the fall of 1905. Wyatt left town shortly afterward. Goldfield reached its peak population of 20,000 people in 1906, but its population had dwindled to under 5,000 by 1910. In 1923, a fire destroyed much of the town. Once the largest town in Nevada, Goldfield is currently a semi-abandoned ghost town, situated twenty-six miles south of Tonopah and one hundred and eighty miles northwest of Las Vegas.
Recommended Resources
Esmeralda County School District
Headquartered in Goldfield, ECSD is the smallest school district in Nevada. District and campus news, schedules, and staff contacts are featured, along with a board calendar, policy information, and employment opportunities.
http://www.esmeraldacountyschools.com/
Established in 1893, the population of Goldfield is but a fraction of what it was in its prime. The site features and highlights a walking tour down Main Street, including many of its shops and historic buildings, the Mammoth Gold Mine, and the Goldfield Museum. A guide to the community is included.
http://goldfieldghosttown.com/
The tax-exempt organization is charged with the preservation and promotion of the history and heritage of the town of Goldfield, Nevada. Its site features a history of the town, the railroad, Goldfield’s building boom, and the fire of July 6, 1923. Meeting schedules and a calendar of events are put forward.
http://www.goldfieldhistoricalsociety.com/
Goldfield, Nevada Chamber of Commerce
The non-profit organization represents businesses within the town of Goldfield and greater Esmeralda County region. Membership policies and information about the town and its services are put forward, along with a guide to local events, attractions, and businesses.
http://www.goldfieldnevada.org/
KGFN 89.1 FM is a non-profit radio station that broadcasts from Goldfield, Nevada, offering music, community news and information. A schedule of events, photographs, contacts, and archived shows are featured.
http://www.kgfn.org/
