Candelaria
Two Booms, One Ghost Town
State: Nevada
County: Mineral County
Founded: 1864
Abandoned: 1940
Peak Population: 3,000
Candelaria had two separate boom periods - the 1860s-1880s and again in the 1930s. At its first peak, 3,000 residents lived among saloons, hotels, and businesses. The adobe buildings from the Mexican miners who worked here are distinctive among Nevada ghost towns.
First Boom
Mexican prospectors discovered silver in 1864. The name Candelaria comes from Spanish. At its peak, the town had two newspapers and was Esmeralda County seat.
Second Life
In the 1930s, rising silver prices brought miners back. A smaller community worked the old claims, but by 1940 they too were gone.
Timeline
- 1864 - Discovery Mexican prospectors found silver
- 1880 - First Peak Population reached 3,000
- 1893 - First Bust Silver crash ended mining
- 1930s - Revival Mining resumed briefly
- 1940 - Final Abandonment Last miners left
Plan Your Visit
Best Time: Spring or fall
Difficulty: Moderate - dirt road
Time Needed: 1-2 hours
Quick Facts
- Adobe buildings are rare in Nevada ghost towns
- Had two separate boom-bust cycles
- County seat in the 1880s
Location
Address: Candelaria, Nevada
Coordinates: 38.0833, -118.0333