Excelsior, Nevada facts for kids
Quick facts for kids
Excelsior, Nevada
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 Excelsior, Nevada
Location in Nevada
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| Country | United States |
| State | Nevada |
| County | Elko |
| Elevation | 6,306 ft (1,922 m) |
| Time zone | UTC-8 (Pacific (PST)) |
| • Summer (DST) | UTC-7 (PDT) |
Excelsior is a fascinating ghost town located in Elko County, in the state of Nevada. A ghost town is a place where people used to live and work, but now it's mostly empty.
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Where is Excelsior?
Excelsior is found close to where Nevada State Route 226 meets Spanish Ranch Road. You can find its exact spot using these coordinates: 41°42′16″N 116°10′08″W / 41.70444°N 116.16889°W.
A Look Back at Excelsior's History
Mining Days Begin
In 1869, an area called the Cope Mining District was created. This was a place where people looked for valuable minerals. The Excelsior Mine was a very important mine here. Another big mine in the district was the El Dorado Mine.
Life in the Mining Town
At its busiest time, Excelsior was a small mining town. About 20 men lived and worked there. Only a few wooden buildings were ever built. The town didn't last very long.
The Post Office
Excelsior even had its own post office! It was open from 1871 until 1872. Aaron Van Ulick was the only person who worked as the postmaster. When the post office closed on March 12, 1872, mail for the area was sent through a nearby town called White Rock.
The Mine Closes
The Excelsior mine was an ore mine. This means they dug up rocks that contained valuable metals. The mine closed down in 1873. This closure had a big effect on the area. It even caused many people to leave the nearby town of Mountain City by 1875.
Excelsior Today
Today, not much is left of Excelsior. You might find a few old dugouts, which are shelters built into the ground. No houses or other buildings remain standing.
