Like many Nevada towns, the founding of Ely (sounds like “freely”) was a result of mining operations nearby.

But rather than gold or silver, the salvation of Ely has been copper. The huge open pit mine at Ruth fed a giant smelter on the old McGill ranch, and the copper was shipped away from Ely by the Northern Nevada Railroad, which completed a spur to Ely in 1906. Like a roller coaster, Ely rode along with the booms and busts of the copper business, but it looked like the end in the 1980s when the copper market crashed and the last mine closed. But the current boom in copper has once again seen mining resume here, although the copper ore is now sent to Seattle for shipment to Japan where it is smelted.

Today, Ely relies as much on tourism as it does on mining. The historic Hotel Nevada in the city’s downtown section opened in 1929 and was the state’s tallest building well into the 1940s. A restoration of this property has brought back the elegance for which it was once known. Suites in the hotel are named for famous people who have stayed here: Hoot Gibson, Ingrid Bergman, Tennessee Ernie Ford and others.

As the seat for White Pine County, Ely lies at the southern end of the beautiful Steptoe Valley, where it meets foothills of the Egan Range. Several state highways converge on Ely, including routes 6, 93 and 50.

The Nevada Railroad Museum is located in Ely, drawing train buffs from around the world. A short section of the Northern Nevada line—which runs between Ely and Cherry Creek—has been restored and visitors can climb aboard the restored trains for a trip back in history.

Ely is also the center for wildlife enthusiasts. The Ely Elk Viewing Area offers visitors the rare opportunity to see an elk community up close and personal.

One of the newest national parks, Great Basin, is just a few miles away and returns visitors to the dawn of time when the inland ocean drained from the Southwest and left a dazzling landscape full of wildlife of all sorts.

Downtown Ely is a historian’s delight. Much of the original “small town” architecture has been retained and restored, with goods and services that will entrance the visitor.

As with all Nevada towns (except Boulder City, of course), gaming plays a big role in Ely. In contrast to Hotel Nevada, the modern Jailhouse Casino offers all the gaming entertainment anyone could possibly want.

Ely is within a short drive of Las Vegas or Reno and makes a delightful weekend getaway. Although it doesn’t quite fit with the popular new “stay-cation” idea, Ely brings Nevada’s heritage and natural beauty to all its visitors and residents.

By Patrick Roberts

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