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Photos courtesy of Mike Sinnwell  September 2005

Cherry Creek Nevada Townsite - Ghost town

Set up against the mountains this is a nifty site to visit. Check out the freezer they use for parcel post. In the early 1860s, the area around Cherry Creek was discovered to have substantial mineral deposits of gold and silver. The community was founded on September 21, 1872 when two prospectors from nearby Egan Canyon located the "Tea Cup" claims, rich deposits of silver and gold ore. By spring of 1873, the community had an estimated population of 400.

Yes they had more than 20 saloons by 1873. A Wells Fargo office, hotel, stables, blacksmith, and a post office along with other suppliers of goods and services. In a few short years the major claims started to play out and the town started its decay. From 1875 to 1880 little activity occurred at any of the mines. It took new deposits of gold discovered in 1880 to reinvigorate the growth of the town and by 1882 the population had grown to 7,800 with 28 saloons.

Like other towns dependent on the mines and the economy this one also had its share of fires, depression and mines playing out. They hung on until the 1940’s.