By Dave Helgeson
In the spirit of Christmas, Poinsettia Mine, Nevada, is this month’s featured ghosted place. I would have written about the ghost town of Christmas, Arizona, but I have yet to visit it. Since poinsettia plants are associated with Christmas, it was the next best place I could come up with for the December installment of Ghost Town Trails.
Poinsettia never became an official town as it lacked a post office and commercial buildings. It is just one of many interesting, abandoned mining camps spread throughout the Silver State of Nevada.
“The Poinsettia Mine is a real gem!” Per adventurer Ray Dunakin.
History of the Poinsettia Mine
Unfortunately, there is not a lot known concerning the history of the Poinsettia Mine. However, what it lacks in history is more than compensated for by the very intact structures and other interesting things to see in the old camp.
Here is a little bit of history that can be found online
“Cinnabar ore was first discovered here in 1929, and in the early 1930s Vet Baxter came into possession of the claims. Work was done in two shafts, most development coming from one that was 175 feet deep. Development continued on a small scale until about 1944, and a small camp was built (although no businesses were ever opened). Baxter would continue to own property until his death in 1973. Since then the property has served and been taken care of by a Boy Scout troop from Hawthorne.” Thank you to the folks at Nevada Expeditions for this bit of history on the Poinsettia Mine.
Note: Cinnabar ore is roasted to produce mercury. Since cinnabar is reddish in color, I suspect that is how the mining camp received its name. It certainly wasn’t due to a patch of poinsettias growing in the middle of the barren scrub that makes up much of central Nevada.
Our visit to Poinsettia Mine
Many of you may have visions of walking into a ghost town with old swinging doors providing the entrance to the saloon. Walking through those doors reveals an old dusty piano sitting along the back wall. Oh, the tales you have been led to believe through the imagination of Hollywood. I am here to tell you it’s purely fiction until you visit, of all ghostly places, Poinsettia Mine.
One of the surprises of our visit to the Poinsettia Mine camp was opening a door, still on its hinges, and seeing a piano sitting in the back corner of the building. While I am doubtful the building was ever a saloon and very doubtful the somewhat functional piano was original to the camp, it was there just as Hollywood would have you believe.
Cabins maintained by Boy Scout troop
As noted in the history of the Poinsettia Mine above, a Boy Scout troop from Hawthorne, NV, adopted the mining camp and has maintained the cabins. That explains the door and others still being on their hinges and, I believe the piano, as well (probably a donated item). It seems to also have earned the respect of vandals that would have normally desecrated a site like this with graffiti and looting of relics.
After marveling at the surprise of the piano, a first for us, we visited the other cabins, the mine site and a lone gravesite lacking a headstone. Sadly, the name of the soul buried there has been lost to history. Other items that inquisitive types will find interesting are the makeshift water heater and shower stall along with the vented in-ground “cold” storage. After pondering these crude fixtures, you can really appreciate hot showers and the refrigeration in your RV.
Getting there
From Gabbs, NV, head southwest on Hwy 316 to the junction of Rawhide Road at N38° 43.776 W118° 3.029. Take well-graded Rawhide Road northwest to N38° 50.717 W118° 16.143 where you will find an unnamed dirt road heading to the southwest. Head southwest on the dirt road approximately .85 miles to a junction at N38° 50.110 W118° 16.723. Veer left (south) at the junction continuing south approximately 4.5 miles to the next junction at N38° 46.728 W118° 15.934. Stay left on the Y at the junction, arriving at the Poinsettia Mine camp in .15 miles. The camp is located at N38° 46.714 W118° 15.785.
My wife and I visited in the early fall and easily made it to the Poinsettia Mine camp in two-wheel drive. I suspect the dirt road encountered after turning off Rawhide Road could become muddy during spring thaw, so plan accordingly. As always when visiting remote areas where cell phone coverage is questionable, let someone know where you are going and when you plan to return. Better yet, carry a SpotX or similar satellite messenger.
Camping
Central Nevada is lacking in developed campgrounds but fortunately is abundant in federal land that permits boondocking.
RV parks
The “closest” RV parks to the Poinsettia Mine can be found in Hawthorne, Nevada.
Areas closer to the Poinsettia Mine that allow overnight RV parking include:
- The Luning Rest Area to the south, where you will find potable water, restrooms and trash receptacles.
- Middlegate Station to the north, where you can park for free and enjoy a burger and fries in the restaurant.
Boondocking
Virtually all of the land south of Gabbs and along the route to the Poinsettia Mine is BLM land that allows boondocking for up to 14 days. If you want to find your own boondocking site closer to the Rawhide Road turn-off or along the Rawhide Road, spend a few minutes on Google Earth to find your very own campsite. Here is how I pinpoint their location.
Those with the right rig can travel to and camp right at the Poinsettia Mine if they like. Remember, if you hear the sounds of piano keys in your sleep, that is just the influence of Hollywood bouncing around in your head, or is it?
Oh, the joys of ghost-towning!
Merry Christmas!
RVT1240