The Silver State is home to some of the most ghost towns in the country and you could spend a lifetime exploring them all. From remote hamlets with only a few standing structures to “living” ghost towns where residents still remain, each of Nevada’s ghost towns offers something unique, including the old town of Midas. Today, this town is mostly abandoned. However, it boasts an amazing amount of buildings and artifacts left behind, including the saloon featured here. Visiting this ghost town saloon is definitely an adventure, but it’s well worth visiting if you’re up for it!
Hiding out in Elko County is the mostly abandoned ghost town of Midas. Home to just a dozen or so permanent residents, this remote hamlet is an excellent piece of living history. It even boasts an operating old-fashioned saloon!
Midas came into existence in June 1907 when a prospector named James McDuffy discovered gold at the base of the Owyhee Bluffs. Originally known as Gold Circle, the town was home to around 5,000 people at one point and even boasted a post office, real estate offices, town dances, and numerous hotels.
In fact, the humble mining town thrived for nearly four decades until, of course, the bust finally arrived. With the arrival of World War II, mining operations in Midas came to a complete halt. Businesses started to close up shop and the town's post office officially shut its doors in 1942.
Visiting Midas today, you'll still see many of the town's original buildings. Although, they've certainly seen better days. Many of them look like they haven't seen a human in decades, despite the fact that a small population still calls Midas home.
Yes, people do still live here, and you'll find many of them at the only restaurant in town: the Midas Saloon and Dinner House. Serving up hot burgers and cold beer, the saloon is nothing fancy. However, it keeps an important piece of Nevada history alive and that's what we love most about it.
The saloon received some renovations and updates around a year ago, but it definitely still holds on to its authentic ghost town charm. Visiting the saloon almost feels like entering a giant time capsule of Midas history, and it's downright fascinating.
If you have a love of visiting Nevada ghost towns, then consider a visit to this ghost town saloon a must-do bucket list item. The town of Midas may be dwindling, but this saloon goes to show that a little piece of it will always remain.
What do you think? Are you ready to plan an adventure to this ghost town saloon? Midas is such a fascinating destination. Check out more long-abandoned destinations like this one with our list of 8 Truly Grim Ghost Towns In Nevada.
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