Nelson, Nevada facts for kids
Quick facts for kids
Nelson
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View of Nelson, from the west
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 Nelson
Location in Nevada
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| Country | United States |
| State | Nevada |
| County | Clark (Eldorado Valley) |
| Area | |
| • Total | 4.80 sq mi (12.43 km2) |
| • Land | 4.80 sq mi (12.43 km2) |
| • Water | 0.00 sq mi (0.00 km2) |
| Population
(2020)
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| • Total | 22 |
| • Density | 4.58/sq mi (1.77/km2) |
| Time zone | UTC-8 (Pacific (PST)) |
| • Summer (DST) | UTC-7 (PDT) |
| Area code(s) | 702 and 725 |
| FIPS code | 32-50600 |
Nelson is a small community in Clark County, Nevada, United States. It's located in El Dorado Canyon, which is part of the Eldorado Mountains. This area is in the southeast part of the Eldorado Valley. In 2010, only 37 people lived here.
Contents
Nelson's Location and Surroundings
Nelson is found along Nevada State Route 165. It's about 8 miles (13 km) southeast of where this road meets U.S. Route 95. Route 165 continues east for about 5 miles (8 km) until it reaches Nelsons Landing. This landing is on the Colorado River. By water, it's about 18 miles (29 km) north of Cottonwood Cove on Lake Mojave. Nelson is also about 25 miles (40 km) by road from Boulder City.
How Many People Live in Nelson?
| Historical population | |||
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| Census | Pop. | %± | |
| 2020 | 22 | — | |
| U.S. Decennial Census | |||
As of the 2020 census, Nelson had a population of 22 people. This makes it a very small community.
Nelson's Past: A Gold Rush Town
The First Gold Discoveries
The area around Nelson was first called Eldorado in 1775. This name was given by Spanish explorers who found gold here. It became the site of one of Nevada's first big gold discoveries. This led to one of the largest mining booms in the state's history. Gold and silver were found around 1859.
A Wild West Town
The gold rush really took off in 1861. Many mining camps were set up in the canyon. A steamboat landing called Colorado City was also built on the Colorado River. In its busiest times, Nelson had a reputation for being a rough and lawless place. During the American Civil War, soldiers who left their armies would hide here. They hoped no one would look for them in such a faraway spot.
The Famous Techatticup Mine
One of the first mines was the well-known Techatticup Mine. There were many arguments over who owned the mine and how it was run. This led to frequent conflicts and violence. Even with its dangerous reputation, the Techatticup Mine and others in the town produced millions of dollars. They mined gold, silver, copper, and lead. Mining continued in the canyon from about 1858 until 1945.
How Nelson Got Its Name
The community of Nelson was named after Charles Nelson. He was a leader in the mining camp. In 1897, he and four other people were killed by a Native American named Avote.
Between 1901 and 1905, a railroad was built across southern Nevada. This was the San Pedro, Los Angeles and Salt Lake Railroad. It went through Las Vegas and connected to other lines. This new railroad meant steamboats were no longer needed at Eldorado Canyon. The landing and mill there were abandoned. The town of Nelson grew near the railroad road. The post office from Eldorado moved to Nelson on August 31, 1907.
Nelson's Landing and the Flash Flood
Nelson's Landing was about 5 miles (8 km) east of Nelson. It was a small village and landing on Lake Mohave, a reservoir of the Colorado River. The landing was destroyed by a huge flash flood on September 14, 1974. 35°42′27″N 114°42′42″W / 35.70750°N 114.71167°W
A strong rainstorm in the mountains caused the flood. Water rushed down channels and created a wall of water and debris. This wall was reported to be about 40 feet (12 m) high when it reached the river. The entire landing and village were washed away. Nine people died in the flood. This event is a reminder for visitors to be careful about flash floods in the region.
Nelson Today
Most of Nelson was not affected by the 1974 flood. It is located higher up, away from the main flood channels. Today, Nelson is a quiet community with mostly private ranch houses. There's also a business that offers river and mining tours. This business is in an old Texaco gas station. It has been used as a filming location for several movies, including 3000 Miles to Graceland.
If you visit Nelson, it's important to be aware of the dangers of flash floods. You should also be careful around old, open mines and ventilation shafts.
See also
In Spanish: Nelson (Nevada) para niños
