Cherry Creek, Star Mine, Exchequer Mine, Sprucemont Mine, Ada MIne & Standard Mine, Nevada

Schellbourne

The Pony Express established a mail station and corral here in 1860

In 1845, it took six months to get a message from the East Coast to California.  By the late 1850's, a half million people had migrated west and were demanding up-to-date news from home.  Something had to be done to deliver mail faster and to improve communication in the expanding nation.  The first run of the Pony Express was April 3, 1860.  Although the Pony Express captured the admiration and hearts of people around the world, it was a financial disaster for its founders.  Eighteen months after starting the Pony Express, it ended with the completion of the Transcontinental Telegraph on October 26, 1861.  

The Lincoln Highway - A vision of Carl Fisher 

Prior to the Lincoln Highway's completion, the majority of roadways in America were unpaved, dusty trails that aimlessly crooked and kinked from one settlement to the next.  The disjointed nature of the roadways did not permit transcontinental travel.  Fisher recognized the growing popularity of the automobile and saw the need for a national road which would allow individuals to travel at their own pace, a luxury not afforded by trains.

Nevada Northern Railway 

Located five miles west of U.S. 93 and four miles east of the town of Cherry Creek on Nevada State route 489. Building south from the Southern Pacific interchange reached this point in July 1906. The passenger and freight depot was built in 1907 as were the freight shed, section house, bunk house, and tool house. The pump house, windmill, tank, well, and coal platform were constructed in 1908.

The original depot was moved to Ely and is now located on the grounds of the White Pine Public Museum.

Water tank stand

Someone thought this was a great spot for a nest.

Cherry Creek

No creek and certainly no cherries.  Where the town got its name is a mystery, but it got its start in 1872 and acquired a population of 6,000.  Cherry Creek was a fun town.  Lots of girls, booze, horse racing and dancing.  People rode as much as 100 miles to attend the dances and shindigs at Cherry Creek.  When they weren't playing they must have been working, because the records show that the mines gave up about $10 million before the big silver crash which closed the mines and closed the town.  Several old building still stand and a handful of people live here.

We met up with one of the locals at the mailboxes.  After bitching about Californians he told us about 2 local mines that weren't on our list and how to get to them.

Star Mine

In 1880 Cherry Creek began its biggest boom. Rich new finds were made in the Exchequer and Tea Cup mines. Soon after, additional veins were discovered in the Star Mine. By the end of 1881 the mines each employed close to 200 men. A 20-stamp, 100-ton amalgamation mill was moved from the Dayton Mill in Hamilton to the Star Mine. The Star Mill was started in July 1882. Other mills put into operation included the 50-ton Exchequer and the 5-stamp Tea Cup.

Exchequer Mine

That's as far as we go here.

Ready to head off to the next mines along US Hwy 93

Sprucemont Mine

The only building left standing in Sprucemont, which was the Post Office. All other buildings were disassembled and moved to the Black Forest Mine and used to build boarding houses.

Ada H. Mine

 Part of the vast Spruce Mountain Mine complex. When the mine first opened is unknown.

Standard Mine Mill Foundation