Fallon

Fallon was born during the California Gold Rush when exhausted travelers stopped along the Carson River after crossing the 40-Mile Desert, one of the deadliest stretches along the Emigrant Trail. Farms and ranches remain a vital part of the local economy and contribute to the area's claim as the "Oasis of Nevada." Fallon is also home to Naval Air Station Fallon and the famed Navy Fighter Weapons School, TOPGUN! Today in Fallon, the past meets the future in dramatic fashion as TOPGUN pilots from NAS Fallon train in the skies that once saw Pony Express riders galloping east and west with news of a growing nation.

Austin

Descending into Lander County from the New Pass or Carroll Summit leads travelers into the sparsely-settled Reese River Valley. The former silver rush town of Austin can be seen at the intersection of State Route 305 and Highway 50. Because Austin's silver held out for nearly 20 years, substantial brick buildings were constructed. They included banks, lecture halls, schools, churches and homes. Many of these establishments, like the Stokes Castle, the International Hotel and the Gridley Store are still standing today. Unfortunately for Austin's miners, the silver mines gave out long before the turn of the century and today's Austin is almost a ghost town. Listed on the National Register of Historic Places, visitors are welcome to enjoy the historic buildings, browse in the library and stroll along weathered sidewalks. Food, drink, gas, groceries, lodging and other supplies are readily available.

Eureka

With the possible exception of Virginia City, no other Nevada community has retained its historical character like Eureka. Dual disasters over the years, fires and floods, forced Eureka residents to rebuild their structures out of brick, which, fortunately for us today, resulted in much more permanent buildings. Listed on the National Register of Historic Places, a walking tour of Eureka finds the visitor viewing wonderfully preserved brick and wood commercial buildings as well as private dwellings. The 1879 Eureka County Courthouse still houses the original courtroom complete with original wainscoting, pressed tin ceiling and chandeliers.

Across the street from the courthouse is the restored Eureka Opera House. This 1880 structure was built on the ashes of the Odd Fellows Hall. It has served as the gathering place for the people of Eureka. The first silent movie was shown in 1915 and then in the 1920's the opera house became the Eureka Theatre and "talkie" shows were presented. Today the Eureka Opera House is a full service convention center and cultural arts center.

Ely

Just 7 miles east of Ruth on Highway 50 is Ely, White Pine County's seat. Copper, not silver was the impetus for the development of Ely. The early 1900's saw the advent of successful copper mining operations. Because Ely is situated at the junction of Highway 50 and U.S. 93, it has grown to become the largest city in eastern Nevada. It is the hub of a region of outdoor recreational opportunities and historic sites. Located in Ely, the historic Nevada Northern Railway Museum is housed in the former Nevada Northern Railway depot. The Museum is opened for guided tours on weekends from May to October, with rides on vintage equipment on selected weekends. Also in Ely is the White Pine Public Museum features historic photographs, Native American artifacts, mining equipment, and displays that tell the rich mining history of the region.

Great Basin National Park

Great Basin National Park in eastern Nevada is a tribute to the unique Great Basin region in the western United States. The area was named Great Basin by explorer John C. Fremont because its rivers and streams flowed inland, soaking into the earth, evaporating, or forming lakes, with no outlet to the sea. However, rather than being one large basin, the Great Basin is actually an extensive series of mountain ranges and wide valleys spread over Nevada, Utah, and portions of California, Oregon, and Idaho. The 77,100-acre Great Basin National Park commemorates many of the features common to the Great Basin, including dramatic mountain peaks, lush meadows, clear mountain streams, alpine lakes, fascinating limestone caves and sweeping scenic vistas. The park also boasts an exceptionally wide range of plant and animal habitats extending from the pinion-juniper life zone, characterized by jack rabbits, scrub jays, and sagebrush, to the frigid alpine life zone at the higher elevations.