McDermitt, Nevada and Oregon

McDermitt is an unincorporated community straddling the Nevada–Oregon border, in Humboldt County, Nevada, and Malheur County, Oregon, United States.[2] McDermitt's economy has historically been based on mining, ranching, and farming. The last mining operation closed in 1990, resulting in a steady decline in population.[3]

McDermitt, Nevada–Oregon
Unincorporated community
Central McDermitt
Central McDermitt
Location of McDermitt in Nevada
Location of McDermitt in Nevada
Coordinates: 41°59′51″N 117°43′06″W
CountryUnited States
StateNevada and Oregon
CountyHumboldt County, Nevada, and Malheur County, Oregon
Named forLt. Col. Charles McDermit, 2nd Cavalry, California Volunteers
Area
[1]
 • Total1.57 sq mi (4.06 km2)
 • Land1.57 sq mi (4.06 km2)
 • Water0.00 sq mi (0.00 km2)
Elevation
[2]
4,432 ft (1,351 m)
Population
 (2020)
 • Total124
 • Density79.13/sq mi (30.56/km2)
Time zoneUTC-8 (PST)
 • Summer (DST)UTC-7 (PDT)
ZIP codes
89421 (NV) and 89425 (OR)
Area code(s)Area code 775 (NV), 458 and 541 (OR)
FIPS code32-44000
GNIS feature ID0845557[2]

As of the 2010 census, the combined population was 513. Seventy-five percent of the residents were American Indian, predominantly Northern Paiute of the Fort McDermitt Indian Reservation, whose members include Shoshone people.[4][5]

History

The community, originally called Dugout, was named after Fort McDermit. It was named after Lt. Col. Charles McDermit,[6][7] commander of the Military District of Nevada, who was killed by Native Americans in a skirmish in the area in 1865.[8] It is not known why there is a discrepancy in the spelling.[6] Fort McDermit, which was five miles (8.0 km) outside the current township, was originally established to protect the stagecoach route from Virginia City through Winnemucca to Silver City, Idaho Territory. The stage road was the military's most important transportation route in southeast Oregon.[9] The township of Dugout was established as support for Fort McDermit.[3]

Geography and climate

The community is on U.S. Highway 95, 73 miles (117 km) north of Winnemucca. The elevation of McDermitt is 4,432 feet (1,351 m) above sea level.[2]

McDermitt is in the Oregon High Desert with a desert climate (Köppen climate classification BSk), averaging 9.2 inches (230 mm) of rain annually with hot, dry summers and cold winters. Most precipitation (47%) occurs from March through June. About 23% occurs from September through November, and 25% from December through February, much as snow.[10][11]

Climate data for McDermitt, Nevada and Oregon, 1991–2020 normals, extremes 1892–present
Month Jan Feb Mar Apr May Jun Jul Aug Sep Oct Nov Dec Year
Record high °F (°C) 64
(18)		 68
(20)		 79
(26)		 89
(32)		 95
(35)		 105
(41)		 107
(42)		 106
(41)		 106
(41)		 94
(34)		 74
(23)		 65
(18)		 107
(42)
Mean maximum °F (°C) 51.8
(11.0)		 58.5
(14.7)		 69.0
(20.6)		 77.1
(25.1)		 86.7
(30.4)		 94.1
(34.5)		 100.5
(38.1)		 98.3
(36.8)		 92.5
(33.6)		 81.5
(27.5)		 65.9
(18.8)		 53.3
(11.8)		 101.0
(38.3)
Average high °F (°C) 40.7
(4.8)		 46.1
(7.8)		 54.8
(12.7)		 61.0
(16.1)		 70.9
(21.6)		 80.6
(27.0)		 91.8
(33.2)		 90.1
(32.3)		 80.8
(27.1)		 66.2
(19.0)		 50.8
(10.4)		 39.6
(4.2)		 64.5
(18.0)
Daily mean °F (°C) 29.0
(−1.7)		 33.5
(0.8)		 40.1
(4.5)		 45.1
(7.3)		 53.9
(12.2)		 61.7
(16.5)		 70.6
(21.4)		 67.8
(19.9)		 58.9
(14.9)		 46.6
(8.1)		 36.2
(2.3)		 28.0
(−2.2)		 47.6
(8.7)
Average low °F (°C) 17.4
(−8.1)		 21.0
(−6.1)		 25.4
(−3.7)		 29.3
(−1.5)		 36.9
(2.7)		 42.7
(5.9)		 49.4
(9.7)		 45.6
(7.6)		 37.0
(2.8)		 27.0
(−2.8)		 21.5
(−5.8)		 16.4
(−8.7)		 30.8
(−0.7)
Mean minimum °F (°C) −3.8
(−19.9)		 2.7
(−16.3)		 10.4
(−12.0)		 15.1
(−9.4)		 20.9
(−6.2)		 28.9
(−1.7)		 37.8
(3.2)		 33.0
(0.6)		 23.3
(−4.8)		 10.7
(−11.8)		 1.3
(−17.1)		 −4.6
(−20.3)		 −11.1
(−23.9)
Record low °F (°C) −32
(−36)		 −28
(−33)		 −1
(−18)		 6
(−14)		 10
(−12)		 20
(−7)		 27
(−3)		 20
(−7)		 8
(−13)		 −10
(−23)		 −18
(−28)		 −37
(−38)		 −37
(−38)
Average precipitation inches (mm) 0.73
(19)		 0.50
(13)		 0.61
(15)		 1.01
(26)		 1.21
(31)		 0.86
(22)		 0.30
(7.6)		 0.17
(4.3)		 0.42
(11)		 0.67
(17)		 0.59
(15)		 0.78
(20)		 7.85
(200.9)
Average snowfall inches (cm) 4.5
(11)		 3.8
(9.7)		 1.9
(4.8)		 1.7
(4.3)		 0.0
(0.0)		 0.0
(0.0)		 0.0
(0.0)		 0.0
(0.0)		 0.0
(0.0)		 0.4
(1.0)		 2.4
(6.1)		 6.1
(15)		 20.8
(51.9)
Average precipitation days (≥ 0.01 in) 7.0 6.6 7.2 8.6 8.1 5.7 2.8 2.1 2.8 4.7 6.1 8.0 69.7
Average snowy days (≥ 0.1 in) 2.2 1.7 1.2 0.9 0.1 0.0 0.0 0.0 0.0 0.2 0.9 2.9 10.1
Source 1: NOAA[12]
Source 2: XMACIS2[13]

The McDermitt area boasts the longest climatic record in Nevada, with data beginning in 1866. The earliest Nevada climate stations were at Army posts. The U.S. Army Signal Corps was responsible for weather duty in the late 19th century and established the National Weather Service in 1870.[14]

Demographics
Historical population
CensusPop.Note%±
2020124—
U.S. Decennial Census[15]

For statistical purposes, the census bureau has allocated McDermitt two census-designated places (CDPs), McDermitt, Nevada and Fort McDermitt, Nevada. The Oregon portion of McDermitt is not part of the McDermitt CDP, but is included in the Ontario, OR–ID Micropolitan Statistical Area.[4] Essentially the Fort McDermitt CDP entails the Fort McDermitt Indian Reservation and the McDermitt CDP entails the adjoining McDermitt township.

Fort McDermitt CDP
Kleinite (a rare mercury mineral) on calcite, from the Cordero Mine, McDermitt. Size: 4.9 x 3.1 x 2.6 cm.

As of the US census of 2010, there were 341 people, of which 30% were under the age of 18 years and 11% (39 people) over the age of 65 years. 92% (313 people) were American Indian, with 3.5% (12 people) described as being of two or more races, and 0.6% (two people) were White. There were 125 housing units with 86% (108) described as occupied. There were 108 males for every 100 females.[4]

McDermitt CDP

As of the US census of 2010, there were 172 people, of which 18% were under the age of 18 years and 22% (38 people) over the age of 65 years. 24% (42 people) were American Indian, with 0% described as being of two or more races, and 68% (117 people) were White. There were 101 housing units with 77% (78) described as occupied. There were 110 males for every 100 females.[4]

Economy
Desert Inn Casino

McDermitt's economy has historically been based on mining, ranching and farming. In the period 1917 to 1989 it was home to four nationally significant mercury mines in the McDermitt Caldera – Bretz, Opalite, Cordero and McDermitt – which from 1933 to 1989 were the largest producers in North America.[16][17] In 1985 of the 16,530 flasks of mercury (each containing 76 pounds (34 kg) produced in the US, 16,337 came from the McDermitt Mine.[18] The closure of mercury mining in 1990 resulted in a significant decline in population.[4]

Significant gold mines in the nearby Santa Rosa Mountains were the National that produced in excess of 200,000 troy ounces (6,200 kg), and the Buckskin National that produced 24,000 troy ounces (750 kg) of gold and 300,000 troy ounces (9,300 kg) of silver over the period 1906–1941.[19]

Current development activities that may result in renewed mining are at Cordero (gold and silver),[16] Cordero (gallium),[20] Buckskin-National (gold-silver),[21] Aurora (uranium)[22] and Disaster Peak (gold).[23] The largest employers in McDermitt are the Say When Bar, Restaurant & Casino and the McDermitt Combined School.

Points of interest

The state line goes through the White Horse Inn, a historical landmark now being restored, which was a saloon, hotel, and (reportedly) brothel.[24] When it was open, food could be ordered and paid for in Oregon, avoiding the Nevada state sales tax.[25]

Education

Humboldt County School District operates the McDermitt Combined School, a kindergarten–twelfth grade (K–12) school, in the Nevada side.

The Oregon side is zoned to McDermitt School District 51,[26] a school district, governed by a board of directors, which sends all of its students to McDermitt Combined in Nevada and which does not have any employees.[27] Circa 2006, 16 students, of all grade levels, lived in the district. In 2006 the district possessed a school building that was no longer used.[28]

The section of Malheur County in which McDermitt, Oregon is located in is not in any community college district.[29]

McDermitt has a public library, a branch of the Humboldt County Library.[30]

Transportation

See also

References
  1. "ArcGIS REST Services Directory". United States Census Bureau. Retrieved September 19, 2022.
  2. U.S. Geological Survey Geographic Names Information System: McDermitt, Nevada and Oregon
  3. Salter, Chuck (March 21, 2001). "The Town That the Internet (Almost) Forgot". Fast Company. Retrieved February 23, 2012.
  4. "2010 Census Data". U.S. Census Bureau. Archived from the original on October 13, 2013. Retrieved August 24, 2011.
  5. Bengston, Ginny; SWCA Environmental Consultants (December 16, 2002). Northern Paiute and Western Shoshone Land Use in Northern Nevada: A Class 1 Ethnographic/Ethnohistoric Overview (PDF). p. 32. Archived from the original (PDF) on June 30, 2012. Retrieved February 23, 2012. {{cite book}}: |work= ignored (help)
  6. McArthur, Lewis A.; McArthur, Lewis L. (2003) [1928]. Oregon Geographic Names (7th ed.). Portland, Oregon: Oregon Historical Society Press. p. 624. ISBN 978-0875952772.
  7. "McDermit, Charles". Carson City Consolidated Municipality. Archived from the original (pdf) on September 27, 2011. Retrieved August 25, 2011.
  8. Federal Writers' Project (1941). Origin of Place Names: Nevada (PDF). W.P.A. p. 38. Archived (PDF) from the original on April 9, 2018.
  9. "Winnemucca to Silver City Wagon Road". Bureau of Land Management. Retrieved August 26, 2011.
  10. Taylor, Jerry L. (2002). "Louse Canyon Geographic Management Area Standards Of Rangeland Health Evaluation" (PDF). Bureau of Land Management. Retrieved November 6, 2011.
  11. "Historic Average: McDermitt, Nevada". Intellicast.com. September 24, 2012. Retrieved September 24, 2012.
  12. "U.S. Climate Normals Quick Access – Station: McDermitt, NV". National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration. Retrieved June 16, 2023.
  13. "xmACIS2". National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration. Retrieved June 16, 2023.
  14. "Nevada's oldest Climate Records". Weather Observations. Mic Mac Media. Retrieved September 24, 2012.
  15. "Census of Population and Housing". Census.gov. Retrieved June 4, 2016.
  16. "Cordero Property". Nevgold Resource Corp. Archived from the original on February 5, 2011. Retrieved August 24, 2011.
  17. Fisk, Elwin (1968). Ridge, John (ed.). Cordero Mine, Opalite Mining District, in Ore deposits of the United States, 1933-1967. New York: The American Institute of Mining, Metallurgical, and Petroleum engineers, Inc. pp. 1573–1591.
  18. Schlottmann Jr, J.D. (April 1987). "Last Mercury Mine Closes" (PDF). California Mining Journal. p. 17. Retrieved October 23, 2013.
  19. "Buckskin National and McCormick Group Mine/Millsites: Humboldt Toiyabe National Forest" (PDF). US Forest Service. Retrieved August 26, 2011.
  20. "Cordero Gallium Project". Gold Canyon Resources Inc. Retrieved August 24, 2011.
  21. "National District" (PDF). Nevada Bureau of Mines and Geology. Archived from the original (PDF) on September 29, 2011. Retrieved August 24, 2011.
  22. "Oregon Energy". Energy Ventures Limited. Archived from the original on August 31, 2011. Retrieved August 24, 2011.
  23. "Albisu – USA". Concordia Resource Corporation. Archived from the original on July 7, 2012. Retrieved August 24, 2011.
  24. "Notes for Baber Family Members Individual Notes from the database".
  25. "Townsite of McDermitt". Archived from the original on December 16, 2003. Retrieved January 19, 2004.
  26. "2020 CENSUS - SCHOOL DISTRICT REFERENCE MAP: Malheur County, OR" (PDF). U.S. Census Bureau. Archived (PDF) from the original on September 1, 2021. Retrieved July 15, 2022.
  27. "McDermitt". Vale, Oregon: Malheur Education Service District. Retrieved July 15, 2022. - Linked from "Schools We Serve"
  28. "McDermitt School District". Malheur County Schools. September 3, 2006. Archived from the original on September 3, 2006. Retrieved July 15, 2022.
  29. "Oregon Community Colleges and Community College Districts" (PDF). Oregon Department of Community Colleges & Workforce Development. Archived (PDF) from the original on October 1, 2020. Retrieved July 17, 2022.
  30. "Nevada Public Libraries". PublicLibraries.com. Retrieved June 14, 2019.
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