The Historic Small Town That Every Nevadan Should Visit at Least Once

Pretty much every single one of Nevada's small towns has a unique and interesting history that goes along with it. One of the most underappreciated historic towns in Nevada is Ely, tucked along the "Loneliest Highway in America." Ely has a lot of things going for it, despite its remote location near the border of Utah. If you need a little bit of history, you can learn about its mining past. If you need a little bit of kitsch, the Ely Renaissance Village delivers. And if you're looking for the downright strange, the Ward Charcoal Ovens are a beehive dome-like structures that look like something from another world. We think the town is a place that every Nevadan should visit at least once, so come along as we show and tell you why:

Ely, Nevada, is considered one of the most remote places in the continental U.S. However, there's plenty to do and see in this incredibly historic town. It may be the largest city in White Pine County, but with a population of right around 4,000 people, it still maintains a quintessential small-town vibe. Established in the 1870s as a stagecoach station, Ely soon became a typical Western mining town. Many buildings from Ely's rich history are still standing today, including the six-story Hotel Nevada and Gambling Hall, which opened back in 1929.

The hotel cost $400,000 to build and was considered Nevada's tallest building at the time. Several popular figures and celebrities have stayed at this magnificent hotel. The structure is still impressive and remains a popular tourist attraction to this day. Even the White Pine County Courthouse, which was built in 1908, still stands. The beautiful structure was listed on the National Register of Historic Places in 1986. It still functions as a courthouse to this day. However, construction on a new courthouse has begun. When the new courthouse opens, this one will be turned into an administrative building.

Ely is decorated with more than 20 murals memorializing the area's history. These gigantic murals are painted over the sides of buildings. Artists from all over the world were commissioned to create a mural in their own distinctive style. These murals are found around "the Renaissance Village," which is a cluster of centuries-old homes that display the history of the different ethnic groups that came to Ely to work in the mines or on the railroad.

You'll definitely want to stop by the Nevada Northern Railway Museum, which features a mixture of steam, electric, and diesel-electric locomotives. Visitors will have the opportunity to go on a 90-minute train ride in one of the authentic 1910 steam engines. The museum even hosts themed train rides like the "Haunted Ghost Train" or "The Polar Express". The museum is incredible, and the level of preservation of the locomotives is seriously impressive.

If you feel like wandering outside the town for a bit, be sure to check out the Ward Charcoal Ovens. Just 17 miles south of Ely is a collection of 30-foot-tall charcoal ovens built sometime in the late 1870s. These ovens were used to help process the silver ore that was discovered in the area. After the mines shut down, the ovens became popular hideouts for stagecoach robbers. They remain in excellent condition today and are open to the public for tours.

Visiting Ely, Nevada, is like stepping back in time. A lot of the town feels like it's stuck in the past, but that's what makes this town such an enchanting place to visit. You could spend all day in Ely and still not experience the town in its entirety. There's something in this small town for everyone. However, it's learning about Ely's fascinating history that makes a visit here so memorable. Can you see now why we think Ely is one of the most historic towns in Nevada?

For more information, be sure to check out the White Pine County, Nevada, website. Have you ever been to Ely before? Even if you have, the town deserves another visit. Plus, you could extend your time by driving to Great Basin National Park, the most remote national park in Nevada. Here, you can hike the trails, go on a scenic drive, and take in the views of snow-capped mountains from the overlooks.

If you enjoy visiting Ely, then consider a trip to Pahrump, another underrated town in Nevada, chock full of quirky charm. Thinking about taking a vacay in Nevada soon? Then consider using the Travel Nevada site for some great ideas on where to stay, dine, and play.