America’s ‘loneliest road’ across Nevada‘s backcountry is not for the faint-hearted – and now travelers can also take a small detour to visit a real-life ghost town.
Known as ‘The Town That Refused To Die,’ Ione in Nye County was originally founded in 1863 before Nevada was even designated a state.
Once a booming mining district after silver was discovered in the nearby Shoshone Mountain Range, it later fell into disrepair and is populated today by just two residents: a couple and their dog.
But incredibly, many of the town’s eerie abandoned buildings are still standing.
So travelers taking a road trip down Highway 50 – which was nicknamed America’s loneliest road by Life magazine in 1986 – may want to veer off for an hour to pay this fascinating destination a visit, SFGate reported.
Dubbed ‘The Town That Refused To Die,’ the tiny town of Ione in Nye County was originally founded in 1863 before Nevada was even designated a state.
After being founded by P.A. Havens following the discovery of silver, Nevada was officially recognized as a state a year later in 1864.
By this point Ione had over 100 buildings and its population soared to around 600. It also held the Nye County seat.
This led to a stipend of about $800 being granted to the town for the construction of the county’s very first courthouse – a small wooden cabin.
That same year, Henry DeGrout and Joseph Eckley, began publishing two newspapers.
The Nye County News printed its first issue on June 25, but folded after a month. The Advertiser ran from September 17 until October 29 the same year.
Shortly after, The Nye County News began re-printing on July 1, 1865 and a few months later, the Ione City post office opened.
Through the 1870s, Ione’s population experienced a few ups and downs as many locals began to move away to much bigger town of Belmont.
By 1880, only 25 residents remained. This number further dwindled after a severe fire at the post office in 1887 caused about $10,000 worth of damage.
But not all was lost as the district saw a small boom in its population when the Ione Gold Mining Company erected a 10-stamp mill to process ore from the Berlin mine – raising its population to 70.
Highway 50 was nicknamed America’s loneliest road by Life magazine in 1986
The area was once a booming mining district after silver was discovered in the nearby Shoshone Mountain Range
In 1864, when Nevada was officially recognized as a state, Ione’s population soared to over 600 and it held the Nye County seat
Through the 1870s, Ione’s population experienced a few ups and downs as many locals began to move away to much bigger Belmont town
In 1897, the Nevada Company, run by J.G. Phelps Stokes, purchased most of the mines and mills in the area.
But plummeting silver prices forced them to halt operations in July 1898 and abandon the town.
Between 1912 to 1914, Ione experienced another small boom when the population reached a surprising 100 and a new telephone line to Austin was established.
But this growth spurt also remained short-lived.
Ultimately, the post office shut its doors in 1959 and soon enough, all other businesses except one market also drew down their shutters.
Years later, Jonathan Harp, 80, his wife Norma and dog Duke, a boxer and Great Dane mix, are the only people left to call Ione home.
By 1880, only 25 residents remained. This number further dwindled after a severe fire at the post office in 1887 caused about $10,000 worth of damage
But not all was lost as the district saw a small boom in its population when the Ione Gold Mining Company erected a 10-stamp mill to process ore from the Berlin mine
Ultimately, the post office shut doors in 1959 and soon enough, all other businesses except one market also drew down their shutters
Jonathan had spent his life working in mines and operating heavy machinery, SFGate reported.
Speaking to outlet, Jonathan said that while eight families still own property in the ghost town, the Harps are the only ones to call the town home.
For supplies and groceries, the couple drive to Fallon, a small city with a naval air station and about 10,000 people some 100 miles away, once a week.
But Jonathan told SFGate that while some people come to visit, he enjoys the peace and quiet.
‘I wouldn’t trade it for nothing,’ he said.
Years later, Jonathan Harp, 80, his wife Norma and dog Duke, a boxer and Great Dane mix are the only ones left to call Ione home
While there are right families that still own property in the living ghost town, the Harps are the only ones to call the town their permanent home, according to the publication
For supplies and groceries, the couple drive to Fallon, a small city with a naval air station and about 10,000 people some 100 miles away, once a week
The town is close to additional accommodations at Berlin-Icthyosaur State Park and Gabbs, Nevada
For those planning to visits, few RV hookups and campsites can be found in Ione itself.
But the town is close to additional accommodations at Berlin-Icthyosaur State Park and Gabbs, Nevada.
