History Tuesday – A Few Haunted Places in Tonopah Nevada
A Few Haunted Places in Tonopah (Not For Sale)
Tonopah’s history began in 1900 when prospector Jim Butler discovered silver ore on what became known as the Tonopah Mining District. News of the discovery spread quickly, and soon a rush of prospectors and miners flocked to the area in search of their fortunes. The town of Tonopah quickly sprang up as a result. As the mining industry declined, however, and the ore deposits began to dwindle, Tonopah’s population and economic activity gradually declined. People left, and some say the town is haunted.
Mitzpah Hotel on Main Street
Tonopah Liquor Company on Main Street
George “Devil” Davis, a joker and prankster when he was alive, still plays the devil’s advocate at the TLC. Ghostly Hattie, a former brothel employee and barmaid, is kinder, especially to children.
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Tonopah Historic Mining Park’s Visitors Center
Bina Verrault was an elegant and clever woman on the run from New York City lawmen when she died in Tonopah. She “lives” in the Visitor’s Center along with many men who died in the mines.
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Vanwood Variety Store at 100 N. Main St.
Built in 1902 by Frank Golden as the home of the Nye County Bank, it is likely that the owners of our featured home today did business in the bank. Mr. Golden was later arrested and charged with embezzlement of bank funds. It is said that the strange sounds, unaccounted breezes, weird lights, and unbodied voices that occur on an almost daily basis, are attributed to a previous employee of the bank who somehow got stuck in the old vault in the basement and died there. Today the building houses the Vanwood Variety Store.
