Explore Ghostly Rhyolite on Your Next Death Valley Road Trip
Although it’s a bit out of the way, the ghost town of Rhyolite is worth a short detour on your way to Death Valley. It’s just a 10-minute drive from Beatty – head west on Highway 374, turn north on Rhyolite Road, and then follow the signs. It’s a great blast from the past, and even if you don’t get out of your car, you’ll get some nice windshield views of the ruins of this one-time boomtown. Best of all, the town is fairly level, so it’s a good option for wheelchair-users and slow walkers.
A Little History
Rhyolite, which is named for the silica-rich volcanic rock in the area, was established in 1904, after Shorty Harris discovered gold nearby. The town, thrived while the Montgomery Shoshone mine was in full operation; and at one time it had an estimated population of 5,000 to 8,000. By 1910 gold production had dropped dramatically, and people began to move away; and by 1920 the population dwindled to just 14.
Rhyolite Today
Today, just two buildings remain fully intact, one of which is the first one you’ll spot as you drive into town – Tom Kelly’s Bottle House. Tom Kelly built this iconic structure in 1906, from 51,000 beer bottles, adobe and mud. At one time it housed a curio shop, but today it remains behind a locked gate to protect it from vandals. There is accessible parking in front of the house, and sidewalk access up to the house, so it’s definitely worth a stop. There’s also a small kiosk that has maps of Rhyolite, so be sure to get one before you leave.
As you continue along the main drag, the ruins of the Rhyolite School will be on your left. This building was erected in 1909, as a second school, but by the time it was completed people had already started to leave town.
Up ahead you’ll find the Overbury Building ruins on the left, and the ruins of the Porter Brothers Store across the street. The Overbury Building dates back to 1907, and it once housed a bank and some other businesses. The store, which was built in 1906, was one of three in the state. Interestingly enough, one of their other stores was in Ballarat, which is now also a ghost town.
The last building that’s viewable from the road is up ahead on the left – the ruins of the Cook Bank. This three story building housed the post office in the basement, the bank on the first floor, and other businesses on the second and third floors. It was quite luxurious in its heyday, with white marble floors, electric lights and steam heating.
End of the Line
The main road continues down to the Las Vegas & Tonopah Depot, where it dead-ends. Although the old depot shows signs of aging, it’s largely intact. Constructed in 1909, the depot was home to one of three railroads which served the town. The other two were the Tonopah Tidewater Railroad and the Bullfrog Goldfield Railroad.
After the demise of the town – and the railroads – the depot building served as a private residence, a casino, a gift shop and a restaurant. Today it stands shuttered but it’s still a beautiful old building, so it’s definitely worth a stop.
If you’d like to stop for a lunch break, there’s an accessible picnic table near the depot. Not many visitors venture into Rhyolite, so you’ll likely have things to yourself. There aren’t any services in town either, but there are some accessible vault toilets in the parking area near the depot.
Although Rhyolite is a bit off-the-beaten-path, it’s definitely worth a stop, especially if you’re interested in the history of the old west. Ghost towns are also great places to just let your imagination go wild.
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