The Ghosts of Rhyolite
By Lanis Rossi
14 Apr 2009
Let me start my story by saying I am a cowboy fan and enjoy movies and stories about the old west. After retiring in September 2008 I was fortunate enough to take a two-week trip out west to see some of the sights and hopefully meet a cowboy or two along the way, if not at least see the places they once lived.
I planned to journey from my starting point, Las Vegas and head west to California, stopping along the way in Death Valley and Joshua Tree National Park. Since I love photography I searched the Internet before leaving for interesting places I might take pictures of along the way.
Did I say I love ghost towns? I do love them and see them as remnants of the old west, a reminder of days and people gone by. While searching the web I came across a website that mentioned, what sounded like a neat place, called Rhyolite. Rhyolite, in the state of Nevada, began in early 1905 as one of several mining camps that sprang up after the discovery of gold in the nearby Bullfrog Hills. At it's peak the town had running water, electric, a school, bank, train station, opera house and forty-five saloons. Unfortunately Rhyolite declined as fast as it boomed and by 1920 it was pretty much abandoned.
Rhyolite is one of the most photographed ghosts towns in the west. Visit me now on my photo journey that I call "The Ghosts of Rhyolite".
33 responses
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Neil Woo said (14 Apr 2009):
great story well done and the photo are a perfect.
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Michael Adams gave props (14 Apr 2009):
Great story. Wonderful series of photos! This is one of the many things i like to shoot!
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JOE FAILK gave props (14 Apr 2009):
Interesting story great read Excellent photos. Forty-five saloons WOW
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Donald Garrett gave props (14 Apr 2009):
I vote YEAH!! Wonderful series and great photos. I, for one, would appreciate a caption under each one, even if it is only one word.
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Lynne Rossi gave props (14 Apr 2009):
Great story and the photos put you in the scene making you feel like a true cowboy.
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Ina K° said (15 Apr 2009):
great story! I love the charme of abandoned buildings, especially in that fascinating landscape! yes, there's the Wild West in these brilliant shots!
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Nancy Richard gave props (15 Apr 2009):
Love your story and photos! Every picture is a treasure of past memories. (I wonder if it's haunted?) Voted yeah and became inspired to upload a photo from another ghost town in New Mexico.
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Regenia Brabham gave props (15 Apr 2009):
Fantastic story and images to match! This is on my must see places list.
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Spectre Photo gave props (16 Apr 2009):
Fabulous story and photographs! Voted
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J Rossi (Deleted) gave props (19 Apr 2009):
Excellent narrative and photo essay.
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suzanne said (20 Apr 2009):
Back to vote YEAH!
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francesco scipioni gave props (21 Apr 2009):
very well done. my vote
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Maria Cox gave props (23 Apr 2009):
I love your story, Lanis! The photos are amazing, and although for health reasons I don't get out much, your story compels me to visit this ghost town! voted
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Joerg Schlagheck gave props (23 Apr 2009):
Love this story! Amazing background information and photos!
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Aaron Mythen gave props (27 Apr 2009):
Great story I am fascinated by this period in history also and would love to visit this town!! Yes from me :))
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lisa anderson gave props (29 Apr 2009):
i really enjoyed this!
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Sherry gave props (30 Apr 2009):
Sounds like a great trip and it's a great photo essay, voted
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Larry Sinanto gave props (30 Apr 2009):
Enjoyed the ghost town tour. Voted
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Jim Hart gave props (30 Apr 2009):
thanks for sharing these beautiful photos
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Michael Ball gave props (1 May 2009):
Awesome story and photos!!! Very well done Lanis!! It rocks!!
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Ron LaFond gave props (1 May 2009):
Neat story, Lanis. The photos that go with it are exquisite! Yuo have my "Yeah!" vote too. R
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Karen Zimmerman gave props (3 May 2009):
Love the story and your images are very intense and nicely framed.
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Julie García gave props (4 May 2009):
great trip! excellent photos!
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Litz Go gave props (4 May 2009):
this photo essay is great! fantastic story too, my vote, yeah of course.
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Syble Brabham said (9 May 2009):
I had the good fortune of visiting this town on my trip to Oregon to visit my sis-- my pics are to small to put on here- Dont ask if this other Brabham is related to me --she WAS my DIL-
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Janice Mezzacappa gave props (9 May 2009):
Awesome story and images!!
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eithne mythen gave props (9 May 2009):
A great sphoto essay lanis and the photos are very reminiscent of all the old westerns I used to watch with my Dad, he was a big fan...Voted!!
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eithne mythen gave props (9 May 2009):
45 saloons!!! how about that..
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YURY KUZYK said (9 May 2009):
Very interesting story!!!
I really like it!!!
Congratulation!! -
Paul Lavallee gave props (12 May 2009):
great story & awesome subject matter!
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triciamary gave props (23 May 2009):
Very interesting story and great shots. Has my vote.
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Andrea Petersen gave props (23 May 2009):
My vote for a very interesting story and a wonderful collection of pictures to go with it.
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Erich Mangl gave props (31 Aug 2009):
a very interesting picture-book !
