Nevada is full of places that were at one time quintessentially western. The wild west was thriving in the Silver State during the 19th century, and many of these rough and tumble towns still remain to this day. Some of these towns still bear marks of their wild histories. In fact, there is one town that gained a reputation for being one of the most violent and dangerous places in the entire country during this time. It may look quaint and unassuming today, but during the 1870s it was one of the most dangerous places in the country.
The tiny town of Pioche is only a two-hour drive from St. George and around 180 miles northeast of Vegas, yet it feels worlds away from everyone and everything.
Jasperdo/Flickr
Today, Pioche looks just like any other small ex-mining town in Nevada. However, it’s not.
Jasperdo/Flickr It was once considered one of the most dangerous places in the country.
The town was originally established in the 1860s. Even Pioche’s beginnings were surrounded by violence.
Jasperdo/Flickr William Hamblin was the first to be introduced to the silver deposits in the area. He ended up selling his claim to the mine but revisited Pioche in 1872 to testify in a court case surrounding the mine’s ownership. However, Hamblin was poisoned before he could testify. The fact that the first person involved with Pioche’s silver mine ended up being murdered now seems incredibly telling!
By 1873, the violence that plagued Pioche was apparent. It was by far one of the unruliest and most brutal towns in the West.
Ken Lund/Flickr At one point, it was reported to the state legislature that half of the town were “thieves, scoundrels and murderers”, and “The sheriff’s office could count on about $40,000 a year in bribe money”. Pioche was a true Wild West town—the likes of which you only see in movies nowadays.
Visitors of the town today can still spot reminders of Pioche’s fascinating history. During the summer, the town is a thriving tourist attraction and hundreds flock to Pioche to get a taste of the past.
Jasperdo/Flickr During its heyday, the town was home to 10,000 residents. This made it one of the most bustling mining towns in the state.
Pioche is still comprised of buildings that were originally erected during the 19th century.
Jasperdo/Flickr One of the most popular attractions is the Million Dollar Courthouse. The original construction of the courthouse was given a budget of $26,000 in 1872. However, due to mismanagement of the project and several added costs, the courthouse ended up costing around a million dollars. The courthouse still stands today and is a popular place to visit among tourists. The courthouse is a testament to the amount of misconduct that occurred in the town.
Pioche was a town where murderers and thieves ran amok without much interference. The town didn’t quiet down until the mines eventually were closed in 1876.
Jasperdo/Flickr Presently, this small town is an amazing sight with approximately 2,000 residents. Strolling down the main street, you can’t help but feel the energy left behind from the town’s former mining days. Pioche is a must-see destination for Nevadans as it is a true reminder of our state’s crazy history.
Have you been to Pioche before? If you’re a fan of the Wild West, be sure to check out this Old-Timey Restaurant In Nevada That Makes You Feel Like You’re In The Wild West.
Jasperdo/Flickr
It was once considered one of the most dangerous places in the country.
William Hamblin was the first to be introduced to the silver deposits in the area. He ended up selling his claim to the mine but revisited Pioche in 1872 to testify in a court case surrounding the mine’s ownership. However, Hamblin was poisoned before he could testify. The fact that the first person involved with Pioche’s silver mine ended up being murdered now seems incredibly telling!
Ken Lund/Flickr
At one point, it was reported to the state legislature that half of the town were “thieves, scoundrels and murderers”, and “The sheriff’s office could count on about $40,000 a year in bribe money”. Pioche was a true Wild West town—the likes of which you only see in movies nowadays.
During its heyday, the town was home to 10,000 residents. This made it one of the most bustling mining towns in the state.
One of the most popular attractions is the Million Dollar Courthouse. The original construction of the courthouse was given a budget of $26,000 in 1872. However, due to mismanagement of the project and several added costs, the courthouse ended up costing around a million dollars. The courthouse still stands today and is a popular place to visit among tourists. The courthouse is a testament to the amount of misconduct that occurred in the town.
Presently, this small town is an amazing sight with approximately 2,000 residents. Strolling down the main street, you can’t help but feel the energy left behind from the town’s former mining days. Pioche is a must-see destination for Nevadans as it is a true reminder of our state’s crazy history.
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Address: Pioche, NV 89043, USA
The OIYS Visitor Center
Most Dangerous Town In Nevada August 30, 2021 Tori Jane Where is Pioche, Nevada? 180 miles northeast of Las Vegas is the little, tiny town of Pioche, Nevada. The first settlers arrived there in 1864, alongside the opening of a gold mine nearby. Almost immediately, native tribes launched attacks against the men settling there, and the settlement was abandoned quickly. In 1868, the town saw a grand re-opening, and it was purchased by a man named Francois Pioche in 1869. Summers here are cooler than in most of the rest of the state, and it’s got a temperate, pleasant climate. What were the 1870s in Nevada like? In a world? Wild! This was a highly volatile time when the wild, wild west and settlers were clashing tremendously. Pioche, for example, saw a great many bloody spats when angry native American folks attacked settlers trying to establish a footing there. Despite this, many places around the state saw a huge mining boom, with ultra-successful silver mines popping up as well as the oft-sought-after riches of the gold rush. The mining boom occurred rapidly, reaching its height in 1872. After 1870, though, upon the changing of some laws and regulations, the mining economy began to shrivel. In 1900, gold and silver were discovered in the Tonopah area, and Nevada’s mining industry came roaring back once more. Is there any interesting old west history in Nevada? Of course! Nevada is one of the original locations of the wild, wild west, after all. Throughout the state’s history there’s plenty of old western conflict, including those of settlers versus native American tribes, settlers versus settlers, and more. Some men came to Nevada seeking new lives and new fortunes, and they found them here – the mines were an incredible source of wealth for a long time, though eventually it became less reliable than it once was. Railroads and train stations populated the area, and it became a hub of activity for miners, gold-panners, and folks looking to build a new life for themselves. For more examples of interesting Nevada history and some of its most unique attractions, take a look at this article.
The OIYS Visitor Center
Most Dangerous Town In Nevada
August 30, 2021
Tori Jane
Where is Pioche, Nevada? 180 miles northeast of Las Vegas is the little, tiny town of Pioche, Nevada. The first settlers arrived there in 1864, alongside the opening of a gold mine nearby. Almost immediately, native tribes launched attacks against the men settling there, and the settlement was abandoned quickly. In 1868, the town saw a grand re-opening, and it was purchased by a man named Francois Pioche in 1869. Summers here are cooler than in most of the rest of the state, and it’s got a temperate, pleasant climate. What were the 1870s in Nevada like? In a world? Wild! This was a highly volatile time when the wild, wild west and settlers were clashing tremendously. Pioche, for example, saw a great many bloody spats when angry native American folks attacked settlers trying to establish a footing there. Despite this, many places around the state saw a huge mining boom, with ultra-successful silver mines popping up as well as the oft-sought-after riches of the gold rush. The mining boom occurred rapidly, reaching its height in 1872. After 1870, though, upon the changing of some laws and regulations, the mining economy began to shrivel. In 1900, gold and silver were discovered in the Tonopah area, and Nevada’s mining industry came roaring back once more. Is there any interesting old west history in Nevada? Of course! Nevada is one of the original locations of the wild, wild west, after all. Throughout the state’s history there’s plenty of old western conflict, including those of settlers versus native American tribes, settlers versus settlers, and more. Some men came to Nevada seeking new lives and new fortunes, and they found them here – the mines were an incredible source of wealth for a long time, though eventually it became less reliable than it once was. Railroads and train stations populated the area, and it became a hub of activity for miners, gold-panners, and folks looking to build a new life for themselves. For more examples of interesting Nevada history and some of its most unique attractions, take a look at this article.
The OIYS Visitor Center
The OIYS Visitor Center
180 miles northeast of Las Vegas is the little, tiny town of Pioche, Nevada. The first settlers arrived there in 1864, alongside the opening of a gold mine nearby. Almost immediately, native tribes launched attacks against the men settling there, and the settlement was abandoned quickly. In 1868, the town saw a grand re-opening, and it was purchased by a man named Francois Pioche in 1869. Summers here are cooler than in most of the rest of the state, and it’s got a temperate, pleasant climate.
What were the 1870s in Nevada like?
In a world? Wild! This was a highly volatile time when the wild, wild west and settlers were clashing tremendously. Pioche, for example, saw a great many bloody spats when angry native American folks attacked settlers trying to establish a footing there. Despite this, many places around the state saw a huge mining boom, with ultra-successful silver mines popping up as well as the oft-sought-after riches of the gold rush. The mining boom occurred rapidly, reaching its height in 1872. After 1870, though, upon the changing of some laws and regulations, the mining economy began to shrivel. In 1900, gold and silver were discovered in the Tonopah area, and Nevada’s mining industry came roaring back once more.
Is there any interesting old west history in Nevada?
Of course! Nevada is one of the original locations of the wild, wild west, after all. Throughout the state’s history there’s plenty of old western conflict, including those of settlers versus native American tribes, settlers versus settlers, and more. Some men came to Nevada seeking new lives and new fortunes, and they found them here – the mines were an incredible source of wealth for a long time, though eventually it became less reliable than it once was. Railroads and train stations populated the area, and it became a hub of activity for miners, gold-panners, and folks looking to build a new life for themselves. For more examples of interesting Nevada history and some of its most unique attractions, take a look at this article.
