Ione
Lost the County Seat
State: Nevada
County: Nye County
Founded: 1864
Abandoned: 1880s
Peak Population: 600
Ione was briefly Nye County's seat before Belmont won the prize. Without government, businesses left. Today, weathered buildings stand in a remote desert valley.
Mining Town
Gold and silver brought residents to Ione. For a time, it was important enough to be county seat.
County Seat Wars
Belmont won the county seat in 1867. Ione's decline was swift but some buildings survived.
Timeline
- 1864 - Founded Mining began
- 1867 - Lost County Seat Belmont became new seat
- 1880s - Abandoned Last residents left
Plan Your Visit
Best Time: Spring or fall
Difficulty: Moderate - remote
Time Needed: 2 hours
Quick Facts
- Brief county seat
- Wooden buildings still stand
- Very remote location
Location
Address: Ione Valley, Nevada
Coordinates: 38.8333, -117.4667