Delamar Ghost Town is situated deep in the mountains of the Delamar Valley, over 100 miles from Las Vegas. The nearest town is almost 30 miles away.
Getting to Delamar is relatively simple once you turn off the pavement from Hwy 95, onto S. Poleline Road. This is a wide, well-graded dirt road running parallel with pole lines.
After five miles, pay attention to the markers. You will come to Delmar Rd on the left. Yes, it is spelt differently, but it is the correct one. Continue for about ten miles.
This road too is a respectably easy drive until you come to the cemetery on your right. At this point, if you do not have a high clearance vehicle, don’t continue. Park and walk the last mile.
We have a high clearance 4×4, and it was slow going. One of us got out to help the other navigate between the large jagged rocks and some steep drop-offs.
The History of Delamar Ghost Town
In 1889 silver and gold were discovered by Joseph Sharp and John Ferguson. Other prospectors followed, and a small camp grew just west of Monkeywrench Mine, named Ferguson.
The townsite was moved to the current location in 1894 by Joseph Raphael De Lamar, a Montana mining financier who changed the name from Ferguson to Delamar.
By 1897 there were over 3,000 residents. Businesses sprang up including an opera house, lodgings, stables, saloons, and houses of ill repute. Churches, a school and a hospital were built. Delamar even had its own newspaper, and the town was said to be one of the largest of its time.
During the townships early years, water came in on wagons. Then, it was pumped from a well over twelve miles away via a 3-inch pipeline. Other supplies were brought in by mule teams.
Delamar was nicknamed “The Widowmaker” due to the number of deaths which occurred from the miners inhaling silica dust, leaving women husbandless and their children without a father.
In fact, many women, children and livestock also succumbed to this deadly dust. At one time, it was estimated that over 400 widows resided in Delamar
Delamar was profitable
$8 million in gold ore was produced over the next five years, but the “Big Strike” never happened as was the case for many other mines in Nevada.
De Lamar sold his holdings in 1902, two years after a devastating fire almost wiped out the town. The fire started in a barn and spread rapidly. Due to the lack of water, it is said that the townsfolk dynamited many buildings to slow down the raging inferno. Fortunately, only the southern part of the town was destroyed, and Delamar was able to recover.
A 400-ton mill was installed by the new owners in 1903 but to no avail. The town became deserted in 1909 when the last of the mines ceased production and closed.
The town attempted a comeback in the late 1920s. The post office and school re-opened, but this only lasted a few years, and Delmar once again became a ghost town.
Delamar Today
After the hour-long drive up the last mile, Delamar finally came into view.
It was time to park Tonto and let him rest while we went for a walk. After some exploration, we found somewhere to set up camp for the night.
Unfortunately today, little remains of this once-thriving town. Thieves, looters and vandals have picked the place clean and destroyed many of the buildings hoping to discover long lost gold and hidden treasure. What they don’t seem to realise is that the town IS the treasure!
Now, this barren land is home to wild horses who roam freely amongst the ruins.
The mines are hazardous. Cave-ins can occur at any time; there are false floors, unexploded dynamite and poisonous gases. It is advisable to stay out and stay alive.
The silica dust is still apparent, and on windy days flies off the huge tailing piles.
our takeaway
Talk about a stunning location, overlooking the valley at sunset with the rolling hills ablaze with colour is something to experience. We were fortunate enough to have this place all to ourselves, well besides the horses.
Was it worth it? We think so. Sometimes you forget how powerful and refreshing it can be to be away from everyone and everything for a weekend. Breath the clean air, (minus the silica), let the stars sing you to sleep, and allow the sun’s rays to wake you.
The following morning we explored the cemetery. Apparently, there are two cemeteries, although we only found one of them.
Delamar Ghost Town needs further exploring. I have since discovered that there are a lot more buildings further along near the Monkey Wrench Mine. Who knows what else there is to find?
delamar ghost town – in a nutshell
- From Hwy 93 – Signposted Delamare (Total of 15 miles of graded unpaved road)
- Travel south on S. Poleline Road for approximately 5 miles (you will be following the power lines)
- Turn left on Delmar Road (GPS N 37º 32′ 407″ W 114º 49′ 314″) the GPS is written on the road sign
- Take the graded unmade road for a further 10 miles. Only the last mile requires a high clearance 4×4
- If you have a low clearance, there is a large area to park and camp near the cemetery. You can walk the remaining mile to the ghost town
- For high clearance vehicles, it is one mile from the cemetery to the ruins
- Free dispersed camping
- Please remember to use the “Leave No Trace” policy – pack it in, pack it out (this includes toilet paper ladies!).
- Respect and preserve this site for others to enjoy. Take only pictures.
- No cell service.
- Wear suitable clothing and footwear.
Have fun, explore and put another Pin In The Atlas!
location map
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