Coaldale, Nevada facts for kids
Coaldale is what we call a ghost town in Nevada. It used to be a busy mining town. You can find it in Esmeralda County, right where two big roads, U.S. Route 6 and U.S. Route 95, meet. It's about 40 miles (64 km) west of Tonopah.
Contents
History of Coaldale
Early Days and Coal Discovery
Coal was first found near Coaldale in 1894 by a person named William Groszenger. He sold about 150 tons of this coal to a borax factory nearby. By 1911, two mines, the Darms Mine and the Nevada Coal and Fuel Co. mines, were actively digging for coal. This coal was located about 4 miles (6.4 km) southeast of Coaldale.
In the early 1900s, people became interested in the coal again. A doctor from Goldfield, Nevada named Frances Williams claimed some of the land for mining. William Groszenger still owned most of the original claims.
Challenges for the Coal Mines
In 1917, the Darms Mining Company wanted to send coal by train from Coaldale to Reno. They asked for a special price of $3 per ton. The Tonopah and Goldfield Railroad wasn't sure if the coal was good enough. They offered to transport a few cars of coal to see if it was useful. If it was, they would set a price for future shipments. Another option was a temporary price of $6.35 per ton. However, in 1918, the Darms company said the coal seam was too small to make either offer work.
Life in Coaldale and Its Decline
In the 1940s, Eldon and Jewel Parson ran a gas station close to the old Tonopah and Goldfield Railroad tracks. They later moved their business about 1 mile (1.6 km) to the main highway junction. The buildings for their restaurant and bar were actually moved from a hospital in Tonopah!
As late as 1993, Coaldale still had a store, a cafe, a motel, and a gas station. But these buildings are now empty, though they still stand. Many homes and other buildings have disappeared over time. The gas station had to close in 1993 because its underground fuel tanks were leaking. Soon after, the restaurant and motel also closed. The gas station had been the main reason travelers stopped in Coaldale. Sometime before 2006, a fire destroyed the restaurant building.
Fun Facts About Coaldale
In 1994, a movie called The Stranger was filmed in Coaldale. The movie stars Kathy Long, who was a famous female kickboxing champion. In the film, she fights against bikers and helps save the town.
See also
In Spanish: Coaldale (Nevada) para niños
