Surprisingly few people realize the tiny town in Nevada named Hazen even exists. Even fewer people are aware of the town's dark past. Back in the day, this town was the true Wild West and it was home to a surprising amount of violence, crime, and tragedy. Learning about its history may surprise you, but it will also give you a deeper insight into this historic community's part in Nevada history. A few strong-willed residents still call Hazen home, and after learning about this town you may just want to plan a visit to it yourself. Take a look at some of the intriguing things to do in Hazen, Nevada.
The tiny town of Hazen isn't exactly one of the most well-known communities in Nevada. Boasting just a handful of residents, you'll find Hazen hiding out about 12 miles southeast of Fernley in Churchill County. This little town doesn't look like much these days, but it boasts a surprisingly dark history.
Founded in 1903 as a station along the Southern Pacific Railroad, the town's early economy was mainly driven by railroad, canal, and dam workers. It started out as a mere tent city, but it soon turned into one of the wildest places in the West.
In fact, Hazen is most infamous for the notorious hanging that took place in the town in 1905. The murder of ex-convict Red Wood would go down in the history books as Nevada's last illegal hanging.
Wood was hanged from a telegraph pole on February 27, 1905. His murder was absolutely horrific, but it was far from the only violent thing that happened in this town. As the town grew with laborers, the arrival of saloons and brothels came with them.
Historians note that Hazen became a hot spot of crime, including robberies and murders. A constable was appointed to Hazen but the crimes were mostly ignored. Hazen was the real rough n' tumble Wild West to its core.
The town was home to hundreds at one point, and it even contained a school, retail shops, a post office, and a newspaper. However, Hazen never truly prospered. A fire in 1908 destroyed much of the town and residents began to pack up and find a new home somewhere else.
Hazen never completely died. To this day, a few people still call this little town home. There may not be much to see here now, but this town and its dark past will always have a place in Nevada's history.
Get an aerial view of Hazen:
Did you know about this tiny town in Nevada? Do you know of other things to do in Hazen, Nevada? We swear, our state is full of amazing history and endless surprises. For some more Nevada history, take a road trip to check out some of the oldest towns in Nevada.
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