7-22-2021 GOLDFIELD, NV

It is now plain for us to see that we need to spend more time in Goldfield.  At least a week should do it, maybe longer.  Yes, it is small and many establishments are boarded up, no longer functioning or abandoned, but the people are wonderful and there is a lot of interesting history.  The town began in 1902 as a gathering of about a dozen tents occupied by prospectors seeking their fortunes in precious metals.  When gold was found (And, Lordy, was it found!  The biggest gold strike in Nevada history!), a swarm of humanity converged and raised the population to 20,000 belly buttons.  By 1907, the little town boomed with hundreds of businesses, including restaurants, churches, medical facilities, more than 40 saloons and of course a bevy of hookers.  Goldfield became and still is the seat of Esmeralda County.  But then, in 1913, heavy rains and flooding swept through Goldfield, leaving behind catastrophic damage.  Dedicated rebuilding efforts and mining continued but 10 years later, a devastating fire destroyed 53 square blocks of Goldfield and delivered a fatal blow to the town.  Mining continued until the 1940s and then, the ore began to dry up and enthusiasm waned.  Now, the population of Goldfield is about 250 hardy souls and effort to revive the sleepy little community is back in motion.

 

Our day began with breakfast at the Dinky Diner.  There, we learned from Kristina about the blustery weather that sometimes deposits 3-foot deep snow drifts at her doorstep.  We also learned about Goldfield Days which will happen (and always does) on the first full week end of August.  It consists of music, parades, street fairs and general drunken debauchery.  Sounds to me like another bucket list item and we know just where to stay!  Jeri Foutz is the proud and talented proprietor of the Goldfield Stop Inn.  She and spouse have created a small, 3-room inn that is truly a labor of love and a work of art in progress. 

The hooker's crib room

One of her rooms is a relocated “crib” that was the place of “business,” shall we say, for an extremely popular and happy hooker back in the day.  The room is furnished with antique furniture and artifacts and the shower walls are corrugated steel sheets with a shelf intended for soaps and froo-froos.  I suggested to Jeri that the shower begs for a sign, “The doctor told me I should install a bar in my shower,” with a few bottles of booze on the shelf instead of soaps.  She laughed, loves the idea and said, “I know just where to get the bottles of booze!” 

Piano rescued from an old hotel

Jeri and Rob at the Goldfield Stop Inn    

 

More than 70 casks of vodka now aging

Rob taking a taste of Old Sam spiced gin

Indeed!  The community may be sleepy but not so much so as not to accommodate a distillery!  It was suggested that we pay Sam Wise a visit.  He was happy to show us around Vapourpoint, his distillery, and treat us to a taste of his vodka, whiskey and signature spiced gin, “Old Sam.”  Delicious!  But Sam is not allowed to sell us a bottle because he’s not a licensed retailer.  However, we were free to make a “donation” to the “Widows Fund” in exchange for a bottle of hooch.  Sam suggested that a lot of people like the spiced gin as an aperitif or mixed with lemonade or ginger ale.  (Tonic seems like good idea!)  A fifth is now safely in our custody.

Sam Wise, proud distiller and owner
of the Vapourpoint Distillery

 

Lindy at the Santa Fe Saloon

It was a hot and sunny day and a cool brew at the Santa Fe Saloon seemed like a good idea.  It is funky and very old.  The floor is worn wooden slats and burlap covers the ceiling in the small restaurant.  Lore has it that Wyatt Earp hung out here. At first, we weren’t sure the saloon would be open.  The locals explained that the owner has a hard time keeping employees.  They keep quitting.  Not because of the generous unemployment benefits now available but because of the bartender.  She was a crabby, nasty old bag.  The owner finally created a billboard that is posted here and there about town.  If you happen through Goldfield and see it, “Home of the Meanest Bartender in Town,” you know that it refers to Laurel who is (no longer) employed at the Santa Fe Saloon.

Rob and Patti

Burlap ceilings in the restaurant

Signs behind the bar at Santa Fe Saloon

 

We still had plenty of sunshine and a few hours left in our day so we were advised to visit Ron Matheny, the creator of Diamondfield Gulch, only 5 miles north on dirt roads. 

Hundreds of these dot the desert landscape

Along the drive, the desert is dotted with tailings and a few headframes, the remains of abandoned mining digs.  We arrived at Diamondfield Gulch to find no activity and were about to leave when Ron came out of his cabin and hailed us.  He is a friendly fellow and ran back to his shack to bring a cooler of beers to share while sitting on his rustic saloon patio.  He began his project by restoring some of the historic sites at Diamondfield and eventually, he expanded his enterprise into a little town which he named Diamondfield Gulch. 

Way to Diamondfield Gulch

Ron Matheny, craftsman of
Diamondfield Gulch, Nevada

Enjoying a quick beer

Ron gives us the tour of his digs

An energetic 76-year-old seasoned desert rat Ron is, hosting bbqs on the full moon of each month.  We had heard about this and kept hoping the moon would fill out and it came close.  Disappointing but another addition to the bucket list.  Anyway, we had a really nice few hours looking around and listening to his tales of adventure as he gave us a tour of his creation.  Finally, it came time to head for the homestead and begin the process of packing and battening down for the last leg of our trip.  Our homing beacons are flashing.

 

Home Sweet Home here at Red Rock Drive, just in time for cold toonies!  Until next time, Rob and Lindy send you love and best wishes!  Happy trails!