Rhyolite was founded in 1904, after what seemed to be a very rich strike by Eddie Cross and "Shorty" Harris. After the news got out, people started flocking to Rhyolite. Soon it was a town of 10,000 people. By 1907, it even had electricity. Two railroads were built to Rhyolite, the Las Vegas & Tonopah and the Tonopah & Tidewater. The first passenger train arrived on December 14, 1906. Rhyolite was growing rapidly and anticipating even more growth. So the townspeople wasted no time building lots of big businesses to accomodate the growing population.
The Financial Panic of 1907 hurt Rhyolite tremendously. Many newly expanded businesses were in danger of going under. Then the final blow was dealt in 1909, when the ore ran out. Most people moved away very shortly after. By 1910, the population was down to several hundred. Through the next few years, thepopulation shrunk to almost none.
Today in Rhyolite, there are many remnants of concrete and stone structures. These include a 1906 railroad depot, a house made entirely of bottles in 1906, a mercantile, the Cook bank, a few old stores, an old school, a 1907 jail, a cemetary, and many other interesting structures.
To get to Rhyolite, you can start in Las Vegas. Take Highway 95 northwest for about 110 to 120 miles. Rhyolite is near the present day town of Beatty, Nevada.
