Ivanpah (ghost town), California facts for kids
Quick facts for kids
Ivanpah
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 Ivanpah
Location in California
Ivanpah
Location in the United States
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| Country | United States |
| State | California |
| County | San Bernardino |
| Founded | 1869 |
| Time zone | UTC-8 (Pacific (PST)) |
| • Summer (DST) | UTC-7 (PDT) |
Ivanpah was a short-lived ghost town in San Bernardino County, California. It was once a busy mining town where people dug for silver. The town was founded in 1869 and slowly faded away by the mid-1880s.
Contents
Where Was Ivanpah Located?
Ivanpah was found on the northeast side of Clark Mountain. This spot is in the desert area of California. It was near a place called Willow Spring.
What Is the History of Ivanpah?
How Was Ivanpah Discovered?
In 1869, a company called Piute Company of California and Nevada was looking for copper. Instead, they found a lot of silver ore on Clark Mountain. This discovery led to the start of Ivanpah. The town was named after a Native American word meaning "clear water."
What Was Life Like in Early Ivanpah?
By 1871, Ivanpah became an important trading spot. It served a large area, even reaching into Nevada. Travelers found many buildings made of adobe, a type of sun-dried brick. There was a hotel, two stores, and offices for the mining company.
The main mines were on Mineral (Alaska) Hill. Important mines included the Lizzie Bullock and the Monitor. Six miles away, there was also the Copper World Mine.
How Did Ivanpah Grow?
Even with some tough times, the town kept growing. In 1875, a mill was built to process the silver ore. Another, bigger mill was added in 1876. A post office opened in 1878, making it easier to send mail.
By 1879, about 100 miners lived in the area. Ivanpah had two saloons, two stores, and two blacksmith shops. There were also two hotels and many comfortable houses. A newspaper called The Green-Eyed Monster even started in 1880, but it didn't last long.
Why Did Ivanpah Become a Ghost Town?
Over time, the silver ore became less valuable. Also, new mining towns like Calico and Providence started to attract miners. People began to leave Ivanpah for these new places.
The post office moved away in 1899. Today, only a few stone and adobe ruins remain. These ruins are a reminder of the once-busy town of Ivanpah.
