The first location in Ramsey was made about the time of Virginia City, but there was very little activity until about 1904. Tom Ramsey found some high grade ore in an outcrop and the rush was on. A few years later the population was about 1,000, but by 1910 only about 100 people lived there, and by 1936 only two deserted houses were left.
Some articles from the local newspaper....
FOR SALE
At the new mining camp of Ramsey, the lot, building and fixtures of the Goldfield restaurant. Must be sold because of sickness.Good as a business or any investment. A.H. Bishop, Gazette office.
1906 November 21, Reno Evening Gazette
Ramsey was considered-- by some-- to be a "second Comstock" or at least an extension of same
PRITCHETT TALKS INTERESTINGLY OF CAMP OF RAMSEY
A. J. Pritchett, the well-known mining man of this city, who owns properties in Olinghouse canyon and Ramsey returned to Reno yesterday after spending several days at Ramsey, arranging to have the annual assessment work done on his claims in that camp. He reports that several new discoveries have been made in Ramsey, and that the camp is now quite lively. "The Ramsey-Comstock is surely a great mine," said Mr. Pritchett. "And I expect to see it prove one of the leading mines in the state in another year. It is a low-grade proposition, with a sprinkling of high grade here and there, but the ledges show all signs of permanency, and I will be greatly disappointed if the mine does not prove to be a big producer.... The Ramsey-Ophir mine owned by Reno capitalists is another good property. This mine is proving up wonderfully and will soon rank with the leading producing mines of the state... On the Walkover property they had encountered some very rich ore and expect to do much work this winter. In my opinion Ramsey is a second Comstock, and I don't believe that it will take many years to prove the camp one of the best in Nevada... People who have never been to Ramsey may say what they please about that camp, but it is surely a winner, and will be alive and producing when many Nevada gold districts are forgotten."
1907 December 26, Reno Evening Gazette
Some had high hopes...
TO INSTALL MILL AT CAMP OF RAMSEY
All Mines Will Then Be Rapidly Developed
Thomas R. Ramsey States That District is Quiet at Present But Will Again Be Active
Thomas R. Ramsey, the well-known mining man of Reno, returned yesterday from the mining camp of Ramsey and states that the camp is beginning to liven up again after the depression. Mr. Ramsey was the original discoverer of the district and knows the merits of the district better than any other person. He states that there are about seventy-five men at Ramsey at present and that all of them are doing work on their properties. A number of claims have been closed down, which accounts for the small population of the camp, but this spring three mines will be opened up once more and then, according to Ramsey, the camp will begin its steady growth... The Ramsey Mining Company, which joins the Ramsey Comstock is now sinking a shaft and gives promise of becoming a big property. It is the intention of the owners of this property to erect a mill in Ramsey this spring and to work all the ores of the camp, which will result in Ramsey becoming a lively district.
1908, February 21, Reno Evening Gazette
Ramsey never stopped plugging the camp...
DOING MUCH WORK AT THE CAMP OF RAMSEY
Although little is heard of the camp of Ramsey, south of Reno, many men are working in that camp and many new discoveries are being made. From a mining standpoint the camp can't be beat and Tom Ramsey declares that in sixty days there will be four hoists running in the camp. There are now one hundred men working in the camp steadily.
1909 February 2, Reno Evening Gazette
And he had some help.....
MINE WIRE GOLD AND WIRE SILVER
Kennedy Returns From One of the Unique Properties of the State
Mr. D.J. Kennedy of this city has just returned from a trip to Ramsey where he was inspecting the property of the Wire Gold Mining and Milling Co.
Ramsey is about 14 miles northeast of Virginia City and is the only place so far known in the State that has wire gold and wire silver. Those that are acquainted with the formation of the famous Comstock know that wire gold and silver is very plentiful and those operators that are in Ramsey at the present time feel assured that they have found the true extension of the Old Comstock.
1909 August 21, Reno Evening Gazette
Apparently things weren't going all that well...
FEDERAL COURT AT CARSON IS IN SESSION
The mining camp of Ramsey had an inning this morning before the supreme court when J. H. Daly of Sparks and George Green of Reno, argued over the merits of the camp in a case that was before the court. The case in question is over liens that were filed against the Ramsey Comstock Company.
1915 May 18, Reno Evening Gazette
They found other things besides gold...
TUNGSTEN STRIK REPORTED NEAR RAMSEY
Intense Excitement and Rush Started From Dayton and Yerington By News
A reported tungsten strike in the hills 22 miles east of dayton and four miles northwest of the Towle Ranch neat Fort Churchill is causing intense excitement in Dayton and Yerington and men with team and automobiles are rushing to the scene, according to the reports received in Reno this morning. The strike is said to be in the hills between the old camp of Ramsey and Fort Churchill.
1916 April, 4 Reno Evening Gazette
But gold was always the most interesting.....
DESERT DWELLERS TELL STORIES OF INTEREST
The camp of Ramsey, twenty-five miles southeast of Reno, has a mystery. Peter Dunn, a miner who works the night shift on the Ramsey Comstock Mine, goes prospecting every afternoon, and always comes back with specimens of surface quartz glittering with gold, it is said. The other men in the district have been trying to follow him to his strike, but thus far he has evaded them. Even when they post themselves on the high hills to that they can watch his movements, he manages to evade them and reach his discovery unseen, which is some stunt when the fact is considered that he is about six and a half feet tall. He has acquired the nickname of "Mysterious Pete."
1926 April 16, Reno Evening Gazette
Getting a little tired of people saying how important Ramsey is "going to be... soon..."
RAMSEY DISTRICT IMPROVEMENT IS STEADY
With three shifts worked by the Ramsey Trust Company and activities increasing on the Continental, Bluejay, Bateman, and other groups, the old camp of Ramsey, twenty-five miles southeast of Reno, is becoming among the most important in Nevada.
1927 April 5, Reno Evening Gazette
On October 25th, 1927, a pair of crooks robbed the bank in Virginia City and managed to avoid immediate capture by driving on the road to Ramsey. Somewhere, the stopped to bury the loot-- but when they went back to retrieve it in exchange for a lighter sentence, it was gone. Here are some newspaper clippings regarding this incident. (Will open photos in new browser window)
BANK BANDITS CAPTURED AFTER CHASE THROUGH HILLS
VIRGINIA CITY BANK ROBBERY LOOT DISAPPEARS AND PRISONERS ASSERT THEY WERE 'DOUBLE-CROSSED' IN DEAL
MAN WHO BUILT RAMSEY, NOW NEARING 90, ISN'T READY TO RETIRE (1964)
Still doing work during the Depression....
RAMSEY PROPERTY IS PRODUCING STEADILY
The mill at the Ramsey Mine of the Lahontan Mines Company has been operating steadily for the last several months, treating from thirty to forty tons daily, Parker Liddell, manager and main stockholder said last week.... The mill machinery has been enclosed and preparations made to continue operations all winter, provided heavy storms to not interfere. Twelve men are on the payroll.
1936 December 5, Reno Evening Gazette
We were anonymously sent some information on what I gathered to be a fairly recent trip to Ramsey. The pictures are crude, obviously taken with a cell phone or perhaps a coffee can. But since I have them, I thought I'd post them. Since the sender obviously wishes to remain unknown, I will refer to him as Borislav the Bulgarian.
Borislav relates that the roads are fair and scenery in the area is good, "although not as nice as hills of Kardzhali," whatever that means. There are no structures standing, but a couple of big mines (which I will assume is the San Juan Mine) and two stands of gigantic Ponderosa pines which evidently have found the conditions ideal. Borislav apologizes for the pictures. "Pictures are very bad because Grigo brought camera but left memory card plugged into computer at motel. I must take pictures with my Russian cell phone, which has worst camera in world. Could take better pictures with shoe box." Borislav could not tell us how he got to the site, or how he returned, ("We came from west) only that the roads-- when they were on them-- were fairly rocky but no challenge for an SUV. "Could take Moskvich 2142 down road easy if they would leave gate unlocked," wrote Borislav.
"We are all surprised to see many large pine tree growing. Most in area are small, these are very large, very tall. Seeds must be brought by birds. Very strange. Soil and water must be just right for this to occur."
There are no remains of the town site. "Very little there, mostly pieces of wood, pile of old tires, a little metal, nothing. Two or three large mine dump. A concrete foundation at one of mines. That is all."