Ely, Nevada is the sixth oldest city in the great Silver State. Incorporated in 1907, the City of Ely has bloomed, boomed, and busted with the up and down nature of mining.
Demonstrating a resiliance since 1878, when Vermont resident J.W. Long first came to White Pine County after the discovery of gld, the camp known as Ely was settled.
Ely was designated as to official county seat in 1887. But its mining boom came later than the other towns along U.S. 50. What started as a Pony Express post office and stagecoach station grew rapidly with the discovery of copper in 1903.
As the Nevada Northern Railway steamed into Ely, the city continued to grow. While many railroads connected to the transcontinental railroad have long been removed, the railroad to Ely is preserved as a heritage railway, operating a 54 acre museum and foundation that is one of the most visited destinations in the state. The Nevada Northern Railway is also one of 2,600 National Historic Landmarks in the United States.
Like many cities that have been founded out of mining Ely has weathered many downturns and has managed to bounce back better each time. The city is experiencing its present boom with outdoor recreation and a resurgance of new small businesses.
A destination for mountain bikers and off roaders alike, downtown Ely acts as the most historic trailhead in the state. The basecamp and economic center for the county, Ely is home to 5,000 residents with all the amenities travelers need to enjoy their time in Great Basin Region.
