Salt Wells, Nevada

Salt Wells, Nevada is the site of a former brothel and a possible future route of Interstate 11. Salt Wells is located on the northern edge of the Salt Wells Marsh, 15 miles southeast of Fallon, Nevada on U.S. Route 50 near Sand Mountain.

Salt Wells, Nevada
Ghost town
Salt Wells, Nevada is located in Nevada
Salt Wells, Nevada
Salt Wells, Nevada
Location within the state of Nevada
Salt Wells, Nevada is located in the United States
Salt Wells, Nevada
Salt Wells, Nevada
Salt Wells, Nevada (the United States)
Coordinates: 39°15′40″N 118°27′21″W[1]
CountryUnited States
StateNevada
CountyChurchill
Elevation
3,888 ft (1,185 m)

History

Borax was discovered by William Throop at Salt Wells. In 1870, the American Borax Co. built a borax works there. In 1871, the plant was in operation, along with a smaller plant, producing 20 tons per month, though production ceased in a few years due to the low grade of the deposit. The borax deposit consisted of about 400 acres with a borax content of 10%, sometimes reaching 30%.[2]

In the 1920s and 30s, Salt Wells had a bar[3] and a gas station.[4]

Salt Wells was the site of Salt Wells Villa, a brothel in operation from 1975. In 1977, the brothel was Firebombed by the wife of the Churchill County Sheriff, Mildred Banovich.[5] The brothel closed in 2004.[6] In 2007, the brothel was destroyed in a fire.[7]

In 2009, the Salt Wells Geothermal Plant was opened south of Salt Wells.[8][9]

In March 2018, it was reported that the Nevada Department of Transportation was considering Salt Wells as a possible route from Tonopah, Nevada to Interstate 80 the new route would be part of Interstate 11.[10]

References
  1. U.S. Geological Survey Geographic Names Information System: Salt Wells Marsh
  2. Lincoln, Francis Church (1923), Mining Districts and Mineral Resources of Nevada, University of Nevada, p. 8, retrieved 22 Apr 2019
  3. "Dry Agents Raid Churchill Bars". Reno Gazette-Journal. 10 Aug 1922. p. 6. Retrieved 22 Apr 2019.
  4. "Station Held Up At Salt Wells; 2 Caught". Reno Gazette-Journal. 24 Sep 1932. p. 12. Retrieved 22 Apr 2019.
  5. "Brothel arson probation set for sheriff's wife". The Bakersfield Californian. October 22, 1977. p. 20. Retrieved July 25, 2021.
  6. "Only Brothel License In Churchill County Surrendered". KOLO-TV. Associated Press. May 8, 2004. Archived from the original on April 7, 2019.
  7. "Abandoned Salt Wells Brothel burns outside of Fallon; arson suspected". Reno Gazette Journal. July 31, 2007. p. 4. Retrieved July 25, 2021.
  8. Mullen Jr., Frank X. "Firm opens 2 geothermal plants near Fallon". Reno Gazette-Journal. p. 5A. Retrieved 22 Apr 2019.
  9. "Salt Wells Geothermal Area". OpenEI. Retrieved 22 Apr 2019.
  10. Marroquin, Art (25 Mar 2018). "NDOT looking at options for path of Interstate 11". Las Vegas Review-Journal. Retrieved 22 Apr 2019.
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