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Austin Nevada
Austin was once a flourishing old-west mining town, and is proud of its heritage. Situated at the geographic center of the state, it's a popular stopover for those traveling U.S. Highway 50, "The Loneliest Road in America."
It is at an altitude of 6,600 feet, with a high desert climate. The average daytime temperatures are 40 degrees in the winter and 85 in the summer.
Austin got its start in 1862 when William Talcott, who worked for the Overland Mail & Stage, discovered a ledge of silver ore. Within two years the town had boomed to 7,500 people. Austin’s early miners produced over 50 million dollars in silver and 30 other mining camps were offshoots. Today there are several active mines in the region, including the Round Mountain Mine to the southeast, and numerous small turquoise mines in the area.
Nestled in the Toiyabe Mountain Range, we offer motels, cafes, bars, and other amenities. Visitors can explore the landscape, shop for old bottles and gemstones, take to the mountain bike trails, or visit a variety of historical locations. We have 11 buildings and sites on the National Registry of Historic Places.
Today, Austin has a population of about 300 people. The area is popular with tourists for “unlimited outdoor recreation,” mining, rock hounding, fishing, hunting or backpack trips, hiking, and ghost town exploration! There are four maintained campgrounds, mountain bike trails, and lots of unique shops and unusual and historic buildings to visit.
The Austin Chamber of Commerce offers a calendar of events and activities for both visitors and residents to enjoy. Come spend the weekend!
For more information visit the following links:
Lander County, Nevada:
• Austin Chamber of Commerce
• Austin Nevada Historical Society
• Battle Mountain Chamber of Commerce
• Great Basin College
• Lander County Nevada
• Lander County Convention & Tourism Authority