Bullionville

Lincoln County

AKA:  Ely City

This camp formed in 1870 after the Raymond & Ely mill was moved here. William Raymond and John Ely convinced some Mormons to travel down to Hiko and bring up a five-stamp mill that was located there. The Mormons agreed to forego their pay until Raymond and Ely could sell their bullion. Rich ore from the nearby Burke mine was processed here. The Mormons were quickly paid, and Raymond and Ely got rich quickly. Over the next two years, several of the mills from Pioche were moved here as. This was based on the abundant water supply in the area. The original five stamp mill was replaced with bigger mills as large as 100 stamps. In 1872, construction began on the 21 mile long, Pioche & Bullionville narrow gauge railroad. The town reached a population of 500 residents. During the boom years, Bullionville contained many businesses. To include: Saloons, stores, hotels, a blacksmith, hay yard and a stage route to Pioche. By 1875, Bullionville was in decline. Pioche finished a water works which then supplied that area with water. Over the next few years, most of the mills had been removed from Bullionville. The narrow-gauge railroad stopped running out of Bullionville by the end of the 1870's. The last mill was removed in early 1880 and the town was nearly abandoned. Later in 1880, a smelting and concentrating plant was built here to work tailings from the old mines. By 1881, the population was 100 residents. Revivals that were centered around working old tailings took place here off and on, up through World War I. Bullionville has been abandoned ever since. 

Post Office:  Apr. 27, 1874 to Nov. 11, 1886;  Oct. 29, 1892 to Aug. 5, 1897;  Aug. 16th, 1897 to July 27, 1898

Last Trip/ Road Conditions:  September 2013. The road was fine when we went. There was also an opened gate leading in. I have since been past it a few times where I've seen the gate closed. I don't know if this is a private property issue or not. That will be up to you to research.