Potts, Nevada facts for kids
Quick facts for kids
Potts, Nevada
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 Potts, Nevada
Location in Nevada
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| Country | United States |
| State | Nevada |
| District | Nye County |
| Elevation | 6,657 ft (2,029 m) |
| Time zone | UTC-8 (Pacific) |
| • Summer (DST) | UTC-7 (PDT) |
Potts is a ghost town located in Nye County, Nevada. A ghost town is a place where people used to live and work, but now it's mostly empty. Potts was once a busy ranching area. It is found in a place called Monitor Valley, about two miles east of Nevada State Route 82.
Contents
History of Potts Ranch
Potts started as a ranch in the 1870s. A man named William Potts founded it. His family owned and ran the ranch for many years. They were known for having one of the best cattle ranches in Nevada.
Growing the Ranch
Over time, the Potts family bought other nearby properties. These included the Butler, Morgan Creek, and Wilson ranches. This made their cattle business even bigger.
Selling the Property
The Potts family sold the ranch in 1944. Harvey Sewell and O. G. Bates bought it from them. This marked the end of the Potts family's ownership.
The Potts Post Office
The nearest big town, Belmont, Nevada, was 37 miles away. This was a long distance to travel. Many other ranches and small mining camps were growing in Monitor Valley. Because of this, people needed a closer place to send and receive mail.
Opening the Post Office
The Potts ranch was first approved for a post office in 1893. However, it didn't open right away. The approval was given again in 1898. The post office then officially opened on August 12, 1898.
Postmasters and Closing
Different members of the Potts family worked as postmasters. They helped run the post office for many years. The post office stayed open until October 31, 1941. After that, it closed down.
Potts Today
Even though Potts is a ghost town, some parts of it still remain.
The Old Ranch House
The original ranch house is still standing. It is quite old and a bit run down. But you can still see what it looked like.
Hot Springs Fun
Near the old ranch, there are natural hot springs. These springs are popular with people who enjoy soaking in warm water. They are kept in good condition for visitors to use for fun.
