Columbus, Nevada

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Columbus, Nevada was a borax mining boom town in Esmeralda County. Its remnants are located on the edge of the Columbus Salt Marsh.

[edit] History

Settlement came to the Columbus Salt Marsh in 1865 with the raising of a quartz mill. Being the only stop for several miles around where water was available in suffcient amounts, Columbus was the ideal location for a mill. It wasn't until 1871 that borax was discovered here and Columbus increased substantially in its importance. Shortly after the discovery by William Troop four borax companies were actively working the deposits on the marsh. Columbus at its height occurred around 1875 when there was around 1,000 people in the town. By that same year many businesses flourished in Columbus as well as a post office and local newspaper, The Borax Miner. By 1881 borax mining activity had practically ceased and just around 100 people were left in the community. It was shortly after this time that all mining and milling operations completely ceased.^[1]