Copyright © Hamilton
Image Courtesy of Representative for Filming Location Listing
Named for mine promoter W. H. Hamilton, Hamilton is an abandoned mining town located approximately 35 minutes east of Ely, NV. Formerly known as “Cave City” in May 1868, the town’s early settlers stayed in local caves.
The discovery of rich silver ore in the area created a boom and the population of the town grew immensely from about six hundred people in winter 1868 to 12,000 in summer 1869. At its peak, some reports suggest that the population could have been as large as 40,000 people.
Theaters, dance halls, skating rinks, breweries, saloons, general stores, banks, opera houses, mining companies, a fraternal order, and numerous other businesses filled Hamilton. The thriving town was selected as the county seat for White Pine County, but its prosperity did not last.
Less than two years after the town was founded, Hamilton’s population quickly declined to less than 4,000 residents when the mines failed and residents emigrated to Ely. Then on June 27, 1873, a large fire caused $600,000 in damage and the town’s population continued to shrink to 500 by late 1873. Hamilton took a few more hits when it was struck by another fire that destroyed its courthouse in 1885 and the county seat was moved to Ely in 1887.
Copyright © Hamilton
Images Courtesy of Representative for Filming Location Listing
Today, the ghost town offers the Hamilton Graveyard, which dates back to the late 1800s. While no buildings remain fully intact, many partial structures remain. Wildlife sightings include mule deer, wild horses, cattle, sage-grouse, and more.
If you are looking for a historic mining site and abandoned ghost town for your next production, be sure to check out the town of Hamilton! For more information and pictures, you can view the full Hamilton filming location details here and don’t forget to register your project!
To find more film-friendly locations, be sure to visit our Nevada Filming Locations Database or contact us if you need further assistance with your production!