Gold Creek Ranger Station facts for kids
Quick facts for kids |
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Gold Creek Ranger Station
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 Location in Nevada
Location in the United States
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| Nearest city | Mountain City, Nevada |
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| Area | 6 acres (2.4 ha) |
| Built | 1910 |
| Architect | USFS Regional Office; Civilian Conservation Corps |
| NRHP reference No. | 92001187 |
| Added to NRHP | September 15, 1992 |
The Gold Creek Ranger Station is a special historic place found in the Humboldt-Toiyabe National Forest in Elko County, Nevada, USA. It was first built in 1910. Its main job was to help manage and protect the Ruby Mountains Forest Reserve, which later became the Humboldt National Forest. Over the years, the station grew bigger with help from a group called the Civilian Conservation Corps.
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What is the Gold Creek Ranger Station?
The Gold Creek Ranger Station is made up of nine wooden buildings. These buildings show a style of architecture called Bungalow/Craftsman. This style was often used by the U.S. Forest Service for their offices and homes between 1910 and 1940.
The very first building at the station was built in 1910. It was used as both a home for the ranger and an office. Other buildings nearby included a barn, a root cellar (a cool place to store food), and a privy (an outdoor toilet).
How the Station Grew
In 1915, the main building was made larger. At this time, it was the main office for the entire Ruby Mountains reserve.
Later, in the 1920s, the original barn was taken down. A new shed with a metal roof was built in its place. It's possible that some of the wood from the old barn was used to build this new shed.
In the 1930s, the root cellar was also made bigger. Workers from the Civilian Conservation Corps helped with this. They used special stones from a nearby place called the Hammond Mine.
New Buildings and Changes
A brand new barn was built in 1934. This two-story wooden building was first used to keep four horses. But in the 1970s, it was changed. It became a bunkhouse, which is like a dormitory, for young people volunteering with the Youth Conservation Corps.
Another building, a garage and office, was built between 1933 and 1934. It was changed a few times in the 1950s and 1960s to add more office space. In the 1970s, this building also got a new purpose. It was turned into a kitchen and dining hall for the Youth Conservation Corps volunteers.
In 1938, the Civilian Conservation Corps built a special house for gas and oil. This helped keep important supplies safe.
Tourist Cabins
The Gold Creek Ranger Station also has three cabins that were used by visitors.
- Cabin 5 was built somewhere else and then moved to Gold Creek. It is about 12.5 feet by 16.25 feet in size.
- Cabin 8 looks just like Cabin 5. It was also moved to the station from another unknown place.
- Cabin 9 was built somewhere else too. When it was moved to Gold Creek, it was connected to another building. It is about 26 feet by 33 feet.
A Historic Landmark
The Gold Creek Ranger Station is important because it shows how the U.S. Forest Service worked in the past. Because of its history and unique buildings, the Gold Creek Ranger Station was added to the National Register of Historic Places on September 15, 1992. This means it is recognized as a place worth preserving for future generations.
