Ione

UPDATE: If you are interested in a much more detailed history of Ione and the entire Union Mining District, my first book was just published through legendary Nevada historian Alan Patera at 'Western Places' in September of 2024. The book is a deep dive into the camps of Ione, Grantsville, Union, Milton, Shamrock, Knickerbocker, Centrasville, and Berlin. The district was formed during the Civil War in 1863, which led to the pre-statehood formation of Nye County in early 1864. The book discusses important dates, the pioneers, the citizens, the murders and shootings, the Grantsville lynching of 1881, trouble with the natives, the mining frauds and swindles, and many more 19th century stories in this part of Territorial Nevada. It is available at westernplaces.net and more specifically at:

https://westernplaces.net/products/union-mining-district-nevada-by-trevor-meade-western-places-volume-12-4


Nye County

AKA:  Midas;  Ione City; Florence; Florence City; Cave City; Upper Town; Lower Town

This is a very basic description. and after the deep dive research into the Union District, it was found that certain modern details that have been reported are incorrect. This description will be updated eventually... Silver discoveries were made in the Union District by June of 1863. Based on the isolated location of the original camp, it was moved down to a lower area in early 1864. Ione became the first territorial county seat of Nye County in April of 1864. A board of county commissioners was established and located at Ione. By 1864, Ione had 500 to 600 residents. The Nye County News and the Advertiser began publishing newspapers. Businesses included stores, saloons, restaurant, drugstore, meat market, stable and a stage line to Austin. While most mining operations took place outside of Ione, the Pioneer Mill was located in town. The sheriff eventually closed down the mill over legal actions in 1866. The mill had been plagued by lack of profits. By 1867, miners were flooding to Belmont, which became the new Nye County seat that same year. By 1868, the population had declined to less than 200. An attempt at revival occurred in 1868, but the rush to the White Pine District helped kill the interest. This wasn't the only Nevada camp to be hampered by the rush to White Pine. The 1870’s had several ups and downs. In 1882 the name was changed to Midas. A new mill was built here in 1896. By 1898, there were 150 to 200 men working at Ione again. The name was changed back to Ione in 1912. A revival that same year saw 100 residents eventually living in Ione again. This revival was over by 1914. There were also some quicksilver (mercury) operations in the hills outside of Ione in the 1920's and 1930's. Ione has always maintained a few residents. We had a couple beers at the bar there probably 20 years ago. Today, I believe that there are less than 5 people remaining.

There is a lot of private property in Ione, so be careful where and what where you explore.

Post Office:  Sept 2, 1865 to April 8, 1882 (Ione City); April 8, 1882 to January 15, 1903 (Midas); July 16, 1912 to April 30, 1914; December 18, 1918 to April 30, 1959 (Ione).

Last Trip/ Road Conditions:  Early 2000's, 2013, 2016, May of 2018, May of 2023. Ione is way out in the middle of nowhere, but the road has been good every time I've been through, expect for May of 2023, after heavy spring runoff.