Potts is a
ghost town
A ghost town, deserted city, extinct town, or abandoned city is an abandoned settlement, usually one that contains substantial visible remaining buildings and infrastructure such as roads. A town often becomes a ghost town because the economi ...
and abandoned ranching property in
Monitor Valley,
Nye County, Nevada
Nye County is a County (United States), county in the U.S. state of Nevada. As of the 2020 United States census, 2020 census, the population was 51,591. Its county seat is Tonopah, Nevada, Tonopah. At , Nye is Nevada's largest county by area ...
, approximately 2 miles east of
Nevada State Route 82.
The ranch was founded by William Potts in the 1870s, and would remain in the Potts family until 1944 when the property was sold to Harvey Sewell and O. G. Bates. The Potts' spread, which was recognized as one of the finest cattle outfits in the state at the time, eventually came to include other properties, including the Butler, Morgan Creek, and Wilson ranches.
With
Belmont, the nearest established community, being 37 miles away, a number of other ranches developing in Monitor Valley, and several small mining camps springing up on the eastern flank of the
Toquima Range, the need developed for more localized postal facilities. The ranch was originally granted a post office in 1893, however the grant was rescinded before the office became operational. The grant was re-extended in 1898 and the post office, with various members of the Potts family acting as postmasters, operated from August 12, 1898 until October 31, 1941.
The old ranch house, while somewhat dilapidated, is still standing at the location. Hot springs located near the site are popular destinations for hot spring enthusiasts and are maintained well enough for modest recreational use.
References
External links
Potts(robertwynn.com)
History of Nye County, Nevada
Ghost towns in Nye County, Nevada
Ghost towns in Nevada
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