A Wild West Boomtown Washed Away by Time
I was visiting my parents in Las Vegas. Mom was bored, so I suggested a day trip to Nelson Ghost Town, which I had driven through before but never stopped at. Mom was all for it, so we jumped in the car, and off we went!
Nelson is about 45 miles from downtown Las Vegas, so it takes about an hour or less to get there. It lies Five miles from the Colorado River. Originally called El Dorado by the Spanish, who discovered it in 1775, the town boomed thanks to Techatticup Mine. The area attracted a unique population because it was rich in gold, silver, copper, and lead. They were mostly Civil War deserters looking for a fresh start. This discovery started one of the biggest mining booms in Nevada's history.
The town itself was named after Charles Nelson, a camp leader who was tragically killed in his home by a renegade Native American named Avote in 1897, along with four others.
Downstream from Nelson, at the eastern end of Eldorado Canyon, was Nelson's Landing. This small village and port thrived on the Colorado River, where the canyon met Lake Mohave. Unfortunately, disaster struck on September 14th, 1974. A flash flood caused by heavy mountain rains swept through the area. Five channels from the mountains converged into a narrow outlet where Nelson's Landing stood, causing a wall of water and debris estimated to be 40 feet high. The entire landing and village were destroyed, tragically claiming ten lives, including Ted Ducey, a college basketball coach.
Unsurprisingly, the Techatticup Mine was a hotbed of conflict. Labor disputes and ownership battles were frequent, often erupting in violence. Murder became a grim reality in this lawless town. Despite the bloodshed and the ever-present threat of floods due to its location, fortune seekers continued to flock to Nelson. However, the town's fate was sealed once the valuable minerals were depleted. Nelson became practically uninhabitable because it was located directly on the path of potential flash floods.
Today, what is left of Nelson stands above the flood channels--a few scattered ranch houses, an old Texaco station, and abandoned buildings. However, the landscape has found a new purpose. Nelson's unique atmosphere has attracted photographers, music video producers, and filmmakers.
There is a US Navy fighter plane that supposedly crashed in Nelson, but it is not a real wreck! It was left behind from the scene of a 2001 movie called "3000 Miles to Graceland." There are also plenty of other relics, including old cars, mechanical devices, old signs, and more.
All the signs that supposedly discourage or threaten potential visitors are what cracks me up. But they are mostly a joke! Many first-time visitors take them seriously.
Mom and I parked our car in front of the visitor center (That is what I call it!) and went in to pay. The lady there gave us a quick "Do and don't" shortlist and told us to have fun! They did not even charge us an entrance fee! The visitor center is also a museum. We spent about 20 minutes inside looking at the relics in there. The lady saw us interested, gave us a few hints about what to check around there, and even joked with us. We replied accordingly and had a couple of good laughs.
Mom and I spent at least two hours there and had a great time. Mom started posing next to as many relics as possible, and I got it all on camera!
By the time we got home in Las Vegas, it was getting dark, and we were still talking about what we had seen and our good times. read more