The Misses Take On the Masters

880 Celebration

Best in the West Nugget Rib Cook-off

Country Superstars Tribute

Burning Man

75th Anniversary Issue

Le Grand Cirque

2010 GNPH SUB

The Slanted Porch SUB

Ghost Towns SUB2

Marathon SUB

Adam Bradley SUB

Freight House SUB

Courtyard Cafe SUB

Thunderbird SUB

Ghost Towns SUB1

Current Issue Graphic SO10 MAIN

Subscripe Homepage Graphic SO10 MAIN

the truth about ghost towns

ghost town: the remains of a deserted town, permanently abandoned especially for economic reasons.—Webster’s New World College Dictionary

One of my favorite editor perks is the many new Nevada books that appear on my desk for review (if you want proof, click on “Nevada Books” at nevadamagazine.com).

Recently, I was elated when I opened a package addressed to our editorial department and pulled out a book that highlights mountain-west ghost towns. The timing was impeccable, as days later I would be embarking on a 1,200-mile round-trip journey from Reno to Ely with myriad ghost-town stops along the way (see photos here).

Excited, I immediately flipped to the Nevada chapter, but was disappointed to find multiple pages dedicated to Austin, Goldfield, and Virginia City. I’m sorry, but anywhere you can easily get a burger and a cold beer is not a ghost town. Anywhere you can buy the wife and kids a souvenir, or fill up your gas tank, is not a ghost town.

There are exceptions to any rule, of course. Take Belmont, one of Nevada’s better-known “ghost towns” located in the central part of the state. There are a few businesses there, such as Indian Maggie’s Saloon, and a number of homes, but the plethora of decaying structures and ruins in the center of town make it quite worthy of the title.

I suppose that’s what the author of the aforementioned book was thinking in reference to Austin, Goldfield, and Virginia City, but I respectfully disagree with that assertion—proving that there is a degree of subjectivity that plays into the definition of a ghost town.

With that off my chest, one of this issue’s features pays homage to some of Nevada’s true—or truer—ghost towns. These are the places that take some getting to on dirty, dusty roads and more ruggedly define Nevada’s boom-and-bust past. Standing among the half-upright buildings and broken-down machinery is both awe-inspiring and a little eerie (reminding me of a second misconception about ghost towns—the term has nothing to do with the existence of spirits at these sites).

The photo-heavy look at seven Nevada ghost towns (or areas) we recommend visiting is a perfect complement to our 33rd annual photo contest. Also, in print we introduce a new feature in our Events & Shows section—a one-page column, or guide, that highlights the new, traditional, and thematic, so you can mark your calendar from here to Nevada Day.

Matthew B. Brown, Editor

Photo: Charlie Johnston (taken in Hamilton)

The Rat Pack is Back

The Walker Lake Dilemma

As an avid reader of Nevada Magazine, I greatly enjoyed your [July/August 2010] issue and the article “Saving Our Lakes,” by Charlie Johnston. Of particular interest to myself and the Department of Agriculture was the section concerning Walker Lake. I am sure everyone would like to see more water available for Walker Lake, including myself. However, as you and your readers realize, water in Nevada is a limited commodity, and most often, if not always, all water has long since been committed. That certainly is the case with Walker Lake.

The article quotes Glenn Bunch, chairman of the Walker Lake Working Group: “We are looking for 25,000 to 50,000 acre feet (annually) to bring the lake back and maintain it.” The addition of 25,000 to 50,000 acre feet annually to Walker Lake will not solve the lake’s problems. Between studies conducted by the U.S. Geological Survey and numerous highly respected hydrologists, it has been estimated that upwards of 80,000 to 106,000 acre feet of new water must be put into Walker Lake annually for the next 20 to 30 years to bring the lake’s salinity level down to the acceptable level of 10,000 milligrams of dissolved solids per liter of lake water.

Smith and Mason Valley agriculture producers currently use around 160,000 acre feet of water. Efficiency of water use can be accomplished, but nothing suggests anywhere near the figures that would be required to cure the lake’s problems. Investigations continue on crops that use less water, but again, nothing has materialized that would remotely suggest that avenue could solve the problem.

Lyon County is currently the most economically depressed county in Nevada. Eliminating irrigated agriculture in Lyon County to restore Walker Lake does not make economic sense. Currently agriculture producers in Mason and Smith Valleys produce about $100 million of agricultural products annually, which is about all that Lyon County has going for itself.

The concerns for Walker Lake are valid. However, those concerns also raise the question of what are the best uses of Nevada’s waters. When area-wide infrastructures have been developed using water for agriculture, those needs must be evaluated. Improvement of Walker Lake can only come at a severe economic cost to Lyon County and western Nevada. Additionally the environment of Mason and Smith Valleys, considered by many to be among the most beautiful of Nevada’s irrigated valleys must also be considered. Removal of water from these environments will spell disaster, just as much as the falling level of Walker Lake will eventually spell disaster for that environment.

Anthony L. Lesperance
Director, Nevada Department of Agriculture

To submit a letter to the editor, write to .(JavaScript must be enabled to view this email address). Letters are subject to editing.

2011 Nevada Historical Calendar

Silver City Goes Cyber

We really enjoy your magazine and are looking forward to your 75th [anniversary]. Will [Rose] and I opened Doodads Cybercafe and Emporium, the first business in Silver City since the bed and breakfast closed down 10 years or so ago. We are right next to the only other business in town, the post office. If you are ever in our area, we’d love to show you around.

Sheree Rose
Silver City

Thanks, Sheree. Silver City is a short drive south of Virginia City. Doodads is open Thursday to Monday, 9 a.m. to 7 p.m. To order Nevada Magazine’s 75th-Anniversary Special Edition, click here.
EDITOR

To submit a letter to the editor, write to editor@nevadamagazine.com. Letters are subject to editing.

Remembering Ruth

I was disappointed that the Ely article did not mention [nearby] Ruth. I grew up in Ruth during the 1930s until I entered the U.S. Navy in April 1943. My family remained there until my father, Harry H. Haaser, retired from Kennecott and moved to Reno. I have attended a few White Pine High School class of ’43 reunions and have been a subscriber to Nevada Magazine for 60 years.
Stephen G. Haaser
Alexandria, Virginia

To submit a letter to the editor, write to editor@nevadamagazine.com. Letters are subject to editing.

Ely Nostalgia

It was so good to see Ely again. I was last there in 2005 and won a $500 jackpot at Hotel Nevada on the last day of my trip. I was born in East Ely in 1948, and my family left in 1955 to California. We were Copper Flat Kids. My dad was in the “Power Gang” and worked at the mine from about 1920 to 1955. My fondest memories were sliding down the side of the “pit” to the bottom with my good friend, Chris Kalleres, and then riding the ore train from the bottom to the top. Thank you, Nevada Magazine, for bringing back priceless memories.
Frank Diaz
Morgan Hill, California

My late husband and I discovered Ely while traveling in our RV in 2003. We planned to stay only two days but stayed six weeks and bought a home there before heading to a son’s wedding in Washington. The people of Ely are so friendly and welcoming. It was a very sad day when we had to sell the house and return to Phoenix. I have a lifetime of memories of Ely.
Willena Conley
Phoenix

To submit a letter to the editor, write to editor@nevadamagazine.com. Letters are subject to editing.

What Happens in Vegas

Garth Brooks

Greg London’s “ICONS”

best of nevada 2010

saving nevada’s lakes

touring nevada

wild nevada

ely

decidedly dixie

Madeleine Pickens

st. thomas

burn baby burn

disappearing act

food made for t.v.

tahoe rim trail

growing up with cars

mob museum

Lance Burton SUB

75th-Anniversary Special Edition

Tahoe Star Tours

David Spade

Larry G Jones

Goal 2010! The FIFA World Cup Fine Art Poster Portfolio

Riverwalk District Art Walk

Summer of the ‘70s

Barry Manilow

Sexy & Dangerous

Party on the Rocks

Playboy Comedy

On Target

This coming weekend is the Pacific International Trapshooting Association Nevada State Shoot in Fallon. June 9-14 is the Amateur Trapshooting Association Nevada State Shoot taking place in Elko, which will most likely be the largest shooting event in Nevada this year. The City of Las Vegas has just built…a brand new shooting park there. These events are very attractive to many people both inside and outside this state. There are many other events throughout the year in Reno, Carson City, and all around the state. I do not understand why none of this is ever covered in your magazine, to which I do subscribe.

John Ingle
Hawthorne

Great timing, John. See the July/August print issue’s Up Front section. You’ll be pleasantly surprised.
EDITOR

To submit a letter to the editor, write to editor@nevadamagazine.com. Letters are subject to editing.

Where There’s a Will

Just a note to say that I think the State of Nevada is publishing one of the finest magazines on the market. As a journalism grad student at the University of Nevada, Reno—and a newspaper owner in Missouri—I’m not easily impressed by today’s print products. However, the writing, photography, advertising and layout of Nevada Magazine is superb in every category. I haven’t subscribed to a non-news magazine in years, but now I have. Again, an excellent example of…well, magazine excellence. Thank You!

Will Sites
Reno

To submit a letter to the editor, write to editor@nevadamagazine.com. Letters are subject to editing.

Cher

X Burlesque

Something to Write Home About

My wife, brother, sister-in-law, and I just returned from a nine-day stay in Las Vegas. As usual, Nevada Magazine was one of our resources used to plan our trip. Thanks to the March/April issue, we spent a full day at Valley of Fire State Park. What a wonderful experience. The scenery was awesome! We hiked just two of the trails, but hope to return to see more. It takes at least a full day to take it all in.

We also drove to Death Valley [State Park] via Rhyolite. Unfortunately, we did not spend as long as we would have liked in Rhyolite Ghost Town. What a wonderful experience. It was not as expected. I thought it would be more of a touristy site. Not at all. Too bad we were unable to visit the inside of the glass house, but being able to explore the entire area and visit the remnants of several buildings was an experience we will not soon forget. It took us back 100 years!

We visited CityCenter and were extremely disappointed. It is not a place for a working man or woman. Too much walking as everything is so far apart. It is too antiseptic. No one around. Stores are so far apart. Some of the same or at least similar stores are in the walkway at the Bellagio. What a difference! The stores welcome walk-ins. The walkway is decorated with flowers, etc. There are actually people around. What is the attraction at CC? No people, no flowers, no attractions, walk, walk, walk to nowhere!

We went to visit the Tropicana. The renovations are very inviting. They are doing a wonderful job at upgrading while maintaining the history by preserving its famous stained glass ceiling. The white color tone makes it bright, cheery and inviting.

Also went to see Terry Fator (thank you Nevada Magazine for the review). What a talented performer! His talent is absolutely unbelievable!  The tickets were worth every penny!  He donates sales of merchandise to Veterans causes.  Not just a great celebrity, but a great person as well!

The exhibit at the conservatory at the Bellagio was awesome to say the least. The best we have ever seen. Visited it twice and stayed at least a couple hours each time.

We cannot wait to go back to Nevada. The issue with wildflowers was waiting for me when I returned. What timeliness! The magazine has improved significantly in the past two years. It is a terrific resource for the traveler. I even enjoy reading the ads!

Keep up the great work!

John Wilda
Swanton, Vermont

To submit a letter to the editor, write to editor@nevadamagazine.com. Letters are subject to editing.

Nevada National Guard

Thanks for your article “Military in Nevada.” It was a great tribute to Nevada’s contribution to protect and defend America. Only one small element was missed—the Nevada National Guard in Reno. They’re playing major roles in Iraq and Afghanistan. And National Guard Units are [fighting] side by side with regular units overseas. Please put “a shout out to Nevada’s citizen soldiers” when and where you can. These men and women never get the honor they are due.

Thanks, a proud vet.

John J. Stetz
Garden Grove, California

To submit a letter to the editor, write to editor@nevadamagazine.com. Letters are subject to editing.

Figuratively Speaking: A Survey of the Human Form

Building on the Past

Chazz Palminteri’s “A Bronx Tale”

Mid-Century Modern Las Vegas

World War I Gets Motorized

Motoring Tourist: National Parks Adventure

Joan Rivers SUB

Pen & Teller SUB

Reno Aces Baseball SUB

Desert Ranch Historic Park SUB

e-newsletter

The bimonthly Nevada Magazine e-newsletter is free and loaded with information, including what’s in our latest issue, what’s new on the Nevada tourism front, events and shows information, information on the latest travel guides, and special stay-and-play packages courtesy of the Nevada Commission on Tourism. Every two months, be the first to receive these exciting updates by clicking on the image below to sign up.

military in nevada

family fun

seeing stars

mesquite

wine down in nevada

celebrating jack johnson

bring the whole family

martini time

pools for gods

earth hour

guard and reserve support

london is not reno

Gary & Kathwren Jenkins

johnson-jeffries exhibit hits reno

Spring is in the Error

I was very disappointed that in the [March/April 2010 feature] about State Parks, one of the photos (at right) was mislabeled. What was shown as “Spring Valley” is actually Spring Mountain Ranch State Park.
Barbara Rohde
Panaca
(retired Nevada State Park ranger)

Spring Mountain Ranch State Park, 15 miles west of Las Vegas, is located within Red Rock Canyon National Conservation Area.
EDITOR

To submit a letter to the editor, write to editor@nevadamagazine.com. Letters are subject to editing.

Reno Aces Baseball

Dangberg Home Ranch Historic Park Tour

Nevada Nostalgia

What an informative and fun March/April [2010] issue. I was raised in Yerington almost 70 years ago, and so in my early 20s, we used to visit Cal Neva Lodge at various times, and I never knew about the hidden network of secret tunnels; however, I do remember when Frank Sinatra was forced to sell the club.

We also used to visit Virginia City, and I was always told that St. Mary’s in the Mountains church was so beautiful, but I found and thought the church to be very plain. So after reading about the “Mad Monks” who modernized it in the ‘60s, I now know and understand why it was so plain. I am certainly very glad to see how beautiful it presently appears, and it certainly does resemble a lot of the beautiful cathedrals in the United Kingdom. Therefore, a visit to Virginia City would certainly be worthwhile to view the church.

In 2008, we were home to Yerington for my 50th class reunion. I wanted to show my husband Lake Lahontan, where I used to water ski in my teens. Coming back from the lake, out in the middle of the Silver Springs flats, I had to stop to allow a two-car train to pass. What a good laugh we had — only in the Nevada desert would that happen to us. So the [Your Nevada] photo of the horse and train, “Playing Chicken,” reminded us of our trip and the two-car train crossing in the desert in front of us — a beautiful photo.

I’ve enjoyed your Nevada Magazine for almost 50 years and even though I have lived in Pennsylvania for that amount of time, Nevada still feels like home, but I must admit, with many changes.

Marjorie Jones
Mount Bethel, Pennsylvania

To submit a letter to the editor, write to editor@nevadamagazine.com. Letters are subject to editing.

Donny & Marie Osmond

Martini Time with Chef Tina Martini

Happy Subscribers

Your map of the Pony Express [March/April 2010] with the presentation of each station was excellent.
Some time ago I complained about the emphasis that seemed to be placed on Nevada’s casinos and larger towns and tourist attractions. But now I look forward to receiving the magazine and reading about our state. So keep it up!
William H. Silcox
Incline Village

Your March/April 2010 issue is the best issue in 10 years! It covered most of our state, not just golf, skiing, or casinos.
I have had a subscription since 1968 and have a complete collection of Nevada Highways & Parks to present. Keep up the good work.
Carl Harley
Las Vegas

To submit a letter to the editor, write to editor@nevadamagazine.com. Letters are subject to editing.

nevada’s state parks

pony express

big-money tourism

trains keep a rollin’

lovelock

a family a-fare

our lady of the comstock

mobile gaming