Ely
White Pine County, Nevada

Surrounded by some of Nevada's most spectacular and verdant mountains, Ely, elevation 6,000 ft., sits at the edge of the Steptoe Valley in east central Nevada. The town's history and future depend on the mining industry, as evidenced in the many nearby remnants of prosperous periods. At present, Ely is struggling to prosper. Of all the cities in present-day Nevada, Ely is experiencing the slowest economic growth. Small amounts of growth exist in the increasing popularity of the Ely area for summer and retirement homes for more affluent people from larger cities like Las Vegas.

We stayed in Ely for three nights, visitng a number of nearby sites during the day. The historic Hotel Nevada, built in 1929, was once Nevada's tallest building (six stories). In character, the place is still much a it was decades ago. Old western charm, Nevada style, abounds throughout the hotel and casino. The food and service are top notch, and the ambience a pleasure that is getting more and more difficult to find in the West.

The town, particularly the older downtown area, is full of history and charm. Many of the walls are painted with murals depicting the area's rich mining history.

 

 

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