Silver ore was discovered here in 1864 by Mexican miners, who named the town for a catholic mass day. Nothing happened until 1879, when a group of foreign (mostly German and Slovanian) prospectors moved in a started a boomtown. The mine that produced all of the ore was called the Northern Belle. It produced $15 million in silver ore. Although the mining was good, there were problems. There was no water for 9 miles. Water had to be transported from a spring and hauled into town. The price of water was an astounding $1 per gallon. Whisky was much less expensive, and many miners used very little water.
By 1880, the area began to prosper. By 1882, a good water supply and a railroad spur was run the town. Mining was good for several more years until the Silver Panic of 1893 hit. Then the mines started closing down. Most of the people left the town. Soon it was a true ghost town.
There are many buildings still left here from Candelaria's heyday. I think the area is being mined again and visitors aren't really that welcome here. There are signs posted that say no parking or stopping.
The town of Gold Point was originally named Hornsilver. This was due to the fact that thios was the type of silver being mined. In 1929, it was decided that the name of the town be changed to Gold Point. This was decided because the silver markets were doing very poorly, and the townspeople decided the town should be named after a more profitable and popular metal.
Around 1906 nad 1907, Gold Point had 2,000 residents. Many legal problems dealing with milling and mining rights caused the demise of the town. Most of the land is privately owned now. There are still many original and restored building left here.
To get to these towns, start your trip after exploring Ryolite. head north on Highway 95. Go 16 miles past Scotty's Junction. Turn west on Highway 266. The Gold Point turnoff (to the left) will be in a few miles (Highway 744). Take this to Gold Point.
After Gold Point, next hit Goldfield and then Tonopah. To get to Candelaria from Tonopah, take Highway 6 west to Coaldale. At Coaldale, take Highway 95 north for 13 miles. Then turn left (west) and go 7 miles to Candelaria.
