This Nearly Abandoned Nevada Mining Town Has A Truly Nefarious Past
The small ghost town of Nelson is nestled in Eldorado Canyon, in the Eldorado Mountains of Clark County in between Las Vegas and Laughlin. Just over four square miles in size and housing a population of just 37, the history of this abandoned Nevada mining town is full of bloodshed and corruption.
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It was originally settled by Civil War deserters looking to evade military authorities.
Gold and silver were discovered here in 1859 and the rush began in 1861. In 1897, Nelson was named for Charles Nelson, a camp leader murdered - along with four others - in his camp by Avote, a renegade Indian.
Because of the mine's high demand, several labor and ownership disputes arose which were usually resolved with bloodshed. In fact, murders became rather commonplace and widely accepted. As a result, Nelson earned a reputation as a mining town whose riches were paid for in blood, yet the fortune-seekers continued to come.
While many people wonder if this was actually a military plane crash, in reality, this is a movie set built specifically for the 2001 film 3000 Miles to Graceland.
On 14 September 1974, 12 feet of water flooded Eldorado Canyon killing nine people at Nelson's Landing. Everything in the flood's path was swept into Lake Mohave by a wall of water reportedly 40 feet high.
Not unlike other Nevada ghost towns, Nelson also experienced a boom and bust during the Silver State’s gold rush. However, this nearly abandoned Nevada Mining town has a far more nefarious past.
Have you visited Nelson, toured the mine, and seen the plane prop? Please share your experiences below.
