America’s “Loneliest Road” through the Nevada countryside is not for the faint-hearted, and now travelers can also take a short detour to visit a real-life ghost town.
Known as “The Town That Refused to Die,” Ione in Nye County was originally founded in 1863 before Nevada was designated a state.
What was once a booming mining district after silver was discovered in the nearby Shoshone Range later fell into disrepair and today is populated by just two residents: a couple and their dog.
But incredibly, many of the city’s eerie abandoned buildings still stand.
So travelers taking a road trip along Highway 50, which Life magazine dubbed the loneliest road in America in 1986, may want to take an hour’s detour to visit this fascinating destination. SF Gate reported.
Nicknamed ‘The Town That Refused to Die,’ the small town of Ione in Nye County was originally founded in 1863 before Nevada was designated a state.
After being founded by PA Havens following the discovery of silver, Nevada was officially recognized as a state a year later in 1864.
At that time, Ione had over 100 buildings and its population skyrocketed to around 600. It also had the Nye County seat.
This led to a stipend of about $800 being granted to the city for the construction of the county’s first courthouse: a small log cabin.
That same year, Henry DeGrout and Joseph Eckley began publishing two newspapers.
The Nye County News printed its first issue on June 25, but closed after a month. The Advertiser was valid from September 17 to October 29 of the same year.
Shortly after, The Nye County News began reprinting on July 1, 1865 and a few months later, the Ione City Post Office opened.
During the 1870s, Ione’s population experienced some ups and downs as many locals began moving to the much larger town of Belmont.
In 1880, only 25 residents remained. This number decreased further after a serious fire at the post office in 1887 caused about $10,000 worth of damage.
But all was not lost, as the district saw a small increase in its population when the Ione Gold Mining Company erected a 10-stamp mill to process ore from the Berlin mine, raising its population to 70.
Highway 50 was dubbed the loneliest highway in America by Life magazine in 1986.
The area was once a booming mining district after silver was discovered in the nearby Shoshone Range.
In 1864, when Nevada was officially recognized as a state, Ione’s population soared to more than 600 and it occupied the county seat of Nye County.
During the 1870s, Ione’s population experienced some ups and downs as many locals began moving to the much larger town of Belmont.
In 1897, the Nevada Company, led by JG Phelps Stokes, purchased most of the mines and mills in the area.
But falling silver prices forced them to stop operations in July 1898 and abandon the city.
Between 1912 and 1914, Ione experienced another small boom when the population reached an astonishing 100 and a new telephone line was established to Austin.
But this accelerated growth was also short-lived.
In the end, the post office closed its doors in 1959 and soon, all other businesses, except one market, also closed their shutters.
Years later, 80-year-old Jonathan Harp, his wife Norma and their dog Duke, a boxer-Great Dane mix, are the only people left to call Ione home.
In 1880, only 25 residents remained. This figure decreased further after a serious fire at the post office in 1887 caused about $10,000 worth of damage.
But all was not lost, as the district saw a small increase in its population when the Ione Gold Mining Company erected a 10-stamp mill to process ore from the Berlin mine.
In the end, the post office closed its doors in 1959 and soon all other businesses, except one market, also closed their doors.
Jonathan had spent his life working in mines and operating heavy machinery, SFGate reported.
Speaking to the outlet, Jonathan said that while eight families still own property in the ghost town, the Harps are the only ones who call the town home.
To buy supplies and groceries, the couple drives to Fallon, a small town with a naval air station and about 10,000 people about 100 miles away, once a week.
But Jonathan told SFGate that while some people come to visit, he enjoys the peace and quiet.
“I wouldn’t change it for anything,” he said.
Years later, 80-year-old Jonathan Harp, his wife Norma and dog Duke, a boxer-Great Dane mix, are the only ones left to call Ione home.
While there are families who still own property in the living ghost town, the Harps are the only ones who call the town their permanent home, according to the publication.
To buy supplies and groceries, the couple drives to Fallon, a small town with a naval air station and about 10,000 people about 100 miles away, once a week.
The town is close to additional accommodations at Berlin-Icthyosaur State Park and Gabbs, Nevada.
For those planning visits, few RV hookups and campsites can be found in Ione.
But the city is close to additional accommodations at Berlin-Icthyosaur State Park and Gabbs, Nevada.