37.7554054248251, -117.63361317033271

A quick overview fro the ever-handy Nevada State Historical Marker:

Discovered 1863, Silver Peak is one of the oldest mining areas in Nevada. A 10-stamp mill was built in 1865, and by 1867 a 20-stamp mill was built. Mining camp lawlessness prevailed during the late sixties, and over the next 38 years, Silver Peak had its ups and downs. In 1906, the Pittsburg Silver Peak Gold Mining Company bought a group of properties, constructed the Silver Peak Railroad and built a 100- stamp mill at Blair the following year. The town, at times, was one of the leading camps of Nevada, but by 1917 it had all but disappeared. The town burned in 1948, and little happened until the Foote Mineral Company began its extraction of lithium from under the floor of Clayton Valley.
- State Historical Marker No. 155

Paher reports that in 1865, a small mill was moved here from Jacobsville, near Austin- a distance of about 180 miles, but the next year, they began construction of a 20 stamp mill.

Word got around that there might be a little bit of silver here.

Silver Peak of Nevada--A Mountain of Silver.
From the St. Louis Democrat. Where is Silver Peak ? It is at the intersection of the 38th parallel of the latitude with the 118 degree of west longitude, in Nevada—a prominent. point in that mountainous region, springing to the altitude of one thousand feet from the plain in which it is situated, and stand nearly a mile above the ocean level. It is distant from Stockton, California, one hundred and twenty miles, and lying on the main road to that locality—the best on the Pacific slope—is easy accessible. "It appears," says the Enterprise, "that when the good genii of the mines were depositing their abundant stores of the precious metals in the hills of Nevada, they came to the borders of the valley of death, and although having silver enough to enrich the mountains of a continent, built the protuberance of Silver Peak, and hid all their treasures beneath." It was explored during the past year, and amid the auriferous region in which it is found there is no locality yet discovered that equals it in the production of rich ores. Bishop Simpson, of the Methodist Church, who visited that region, declares that "were the debt of our nation to amount to twenty thousand millions, there is wealth enough there to pay it off, and to give to every soldier in the Government service muskets of silver in place of iron, and to plate our war vessels with silver instead of the coarser material now employed." He affirms that he does not speak from idle speculation, but from observation and actual calculation.
-Chicago Evening Post, January 11, 1866

Allllllllllllllllrighty then.

It was decided in late January that it was time Silver Peak got its own mail service.

Senate Concurrent Resolution No. 31, relative to establishing a semi-weekly mail from Aurora via Columbus to Silver Peak, read third time and passed.
-Gold Hill Daily News, January 30, 1866

An express has started between Aurora and Silver Peak. This is a good idea, as there is getting to be quite a large population at Silver Peak, and many of our people have interests in that section of the country.
-Gold Hill Daily News, March 2, 1866

Things seemed to be picking up speed.

Mines at the Southward. About one hundred miles to the southward of us, and in the section of the country through which runs the boundary line of Nevada and California, there are many remarkable mines, some of which are just beginning to attract attention. By reason of their richness and the enormous quantity of mineral that exists, as well as their general occurrence in a region easily approached and abounding in all needed facilities for working and the reduction of the ores, they must soon attain a world-wide celebrity. The section alluded to embraces Silver Peak, Palmetto, Lone Pine, Cerro Gordo, Kearsarge and contiguous districts, and soon must attract a large and enterprising population. Not only is this a good mining region, but it also embraces much excellent agricultural land, including Fish Lake and Owen's River valleys. Already has operations upon a thorough system been commenced in several of these districts, and their undoubted success will induce other undertakings of a kindred character, which in the nature of things will cause the locality to become an attractive point of settlement. At Silver Peak, as we are informed, the Great Salt Basin and Silver Peak Company, organized by Messrs. Martin and Harker, is driving work with a force of sixty to eighty men, and intends to employ more as soon as quarters can be built affording required accommodations. The company is grading for the foundation of a monster mill, preparing to build a railway to the mines, and getting things in shape generally. The work is in charge of thoroughly competent engineers, a large portion of the material for the works is at hand, and as the company owns the finest mining property of any single corporation in the world—an assertion in which we think there is no exaggeration—its success alone will be a great incentive to similar operations in Districts adjoining.
-Gold Hill Daily News, December 11, 1867

Despite the alleged amounts of silver supposed to be here, the next decade things kind of quieted down.

THE COUNTRY SOUTH OF CARSON.
The recent shipments of bullion from Bodie and Monitor districts and the late developments made in a number of other places, have given quite an impetus to travel in that direction, and we have little doubt but that very shortly this section, neglected for so long, will be as full of life and activity as in the early days of the settlement of the State. Aurora at one time was one of the liveliest places in the State. In 1863-4 the population was almost as large, if not quite equal to that of Virginia. Substantial buildings were erected with a great deal of extravagance. And a number of the largest and best quartz mills in the State were in operation here. But all of a sudden there was a collapse. The mines ceased to yield. Dishonest managers had stolen most of the profits, so there were no funds for prospecting. We believe that not a single shaft had reached a depth of 200 feet, but there was a good deal of water and no pay ore in sight. No one would advance capital for deeper developments. Many of the titles were clouded; the result was the place was abandoned, and yet many people had faith and still have faith that untold wealth still lies buried in those mountains about Aurora. And we predict that before very long some enterprising company will take hold and open it up. A few persons who had their all invested there and who could scarcely have gotten away had they tried, have remained and eked out a scanty subsistence ever since. Aurora is still the county seat of Esmeralda county, and on this account the few who have remained have been kept from starving. There are numerous other districts down in this southern country, as Pine Grove, Volcano, Pilot, Argentine, Excelsior, Palidet, Deep Spring, Palmetto, Silver Peak, Independence, Red Mountain and Lida Valley, which at one time or other have made a good showing. The Columbus, Oneota and Benton districts for the past five or six years have been shipping bullion right alone, without cessation. We hear also that work has been commenced again at Silver Peak. Slippery Sammy Tilden is interested in the mines here. A few thousands from his " bar'l of money" invested here would have yielded a better return to him than in the Presidential stock, and we hope he has enough left to develop a bonanza. Perhaps the best surface indications for permanent mines to be found in the State can be seen in Silver Peak district. The ore near the surface is mostly gold bearing. On the Crowning Glory mine the face of a precipice shows a vein 800 feet in length, 600 feet in depth and 30 feet in width, which can be mined out as from a quarry. So much for the mines in this southern country.
-The Daily Appeal, August 3, 1877

Silver Peak was no stranger to crime and violence.

PACIFIC COAST ADVICES.
SPECIAL TO THE SENTINEL
A Horrible Murder and Robbery.
Carson, Jan. 23.– Intelligence was received here tonight that on Friday last a most horrible murder was committed at Gold Mountain, Esmeralda County, a place about 30 miles from Candelaria. It is said that five men rode into the camp, entering the store of a Scandinavian named Chielovich, and without a word of warning began firing at the proprietor and his assistants. The firing lasted for two or three minutes, resulting in the death of Chielovich and his clerk, the severe wounding of another assistant and the death of two of the robbers. the latter having the appearance of cowboys. The store was ransacked by the surviving robbers, the booty amounting to considerable. The wounded man crawled a distance of about eight miles and gave the alarm. A posse of men started for the scene of the atrocity, but before they arrived there the three surviving scoundrels had been at Silver Peak, a camp 30 miles from Gold Mountain, where they entered another store, killing the proprietor and his two clerks, the names of whom are yet unknown. There they got off with a considerable sum of money and other valuables. These robbers are well mounted and armed. Further details are not yet to be obtained. That section of the country is being scoured for them by determined men, who will make short work of them if caught. Can get no more particulars.
LATER AND CONTRADICTORY.
SAN FRANCISCO, Jan. 23.—The following dispatch from Candelaria puts a different face on the robberies reported from Carson: John Chielovich's store at Silver Peak, Nevada, was attacked on the night of the 21st inst. by two men named Rockwell and Tex. They were repulsed by the inmates of the store, who sustained no injuries. The robbers were pursued by Indians and killed the next day at Tule Canyon, about 60 miles south of Silver Peak. There was no disturbance at Gold Mountain, as far as known. Rockwell was a son of the notorious Porter Rockwell of Utah. Tex has always had the reputation of being a cowboy.
-Eureka Daily Sentinel, January 24th, 1883

The Gold Mountain Affair
A. P. Ward has shown us a letter received from Gold Mountain, win which the writer says, "The robbers did not come here, but did rob San Antone's station, and attempted to rob Silver Peak, but failed. The whites and the Indians followed them, and the next seen of them was about two miles south of Little Mill, with a bullet hole through each of their heads. They were buried without the aid of a coroner.
-White Pine News, February 10, 1883

Still, mining continued.

Silver Peak has also shipped an unusual amount of bullion this Fall and Winter, and the camp is still on the upraise.
-Nevada State Journal, January 16, 1884

Silver Peak Prospects
John Chiatovich the pushing businessman of Silver Peak, was in town last week. He has a big Scheme in consideration which when put in operation, will make that place one of the richest camps in this gold-producing county.
-Walker Lake Bulletin, January 13, 1886

Hey, let's be a little more careful and pay attention to those safety training films, OK?

An Indian near Silver Peak, Esmeralda County, while thawing out Giant Powder, picked up a stick of the explosive and squeezed it tightly. He is one-armed now.
-The Eureka Sentinel, March 10, 1900

Inspired no doubt by the boom in Tonopah, Goldfield, and elsewhere around the state, things took off in Silver Peak.

GOLD-MINING CLAIMS FOR PITTSBURGHERS
Local People Head a Company Formed To Work Rich District in Nevada
The Pittsburgh Silver Peak Mining Company has just been formed in this city to take over a group of 40 patented mining claims in Esmeralda county, Nevada, about 40 miles from Tonopah.
-Pittsburgh Daily Post, May 26, 1906

Some Silver Peakisans, so the story goes, at this point decided to snap up land to be sold at a huge profit when the P.S.P.M.Co. came in to build their mill. Unfortunately for them, Pittsburghers don't like to be taken advantage of, and it was instead decided to build it at a new townsite north of the town, leaving these speculators holding the bag, so to speak.

One of the oldest properties in Southwestern Nevada, which has recently been taken up by Pittsburgh capital and which will be pushed as an extensive milling proposition, is located at Silver Peak, in Esmeralda county, due southwest in an air line about 30 miles from Tonopah. It lies between the Silver Peak and Lone Mountain ranges, and up to the time the Pittsburghers took charge was as inaccessible as Tonopah itself before the latter town acquired railroad facilities. The Silver Peak mine was formerly owned by John L. Blair, the New York banker. and despite its 250 miles isolation from railroad transportation, it is estimated to have produced more than $1,500,000 gold since 1864 from its upper workings.
Built Their Own Railroad.
The first thing which the new owners did was to construct and equip 18 miles of standard gauge railroad, connecting the mines with the Tonopah and Southern Pacific railroads. The next step in the new development was the establishment of the new town site of Blair, located three miles nearer the mine openings than the town of Silver Peak. Within two months a hundred new frame buildings have been constructed on a site which a year ago was a desert plain between two mountain ranges and absolutely isolated as far as railroads were concerned. The new company was organized as the Pittsburgh Silver Peak Gold Mining Company. Last week it let the contracts for a 100-stamp mill, crushers, cyaniding. and steel buildings. The site is now being prepared for the mill buildings and the machinery and general equipment are under contract to be delivered within a minimum of 60 days and a maximum of 120 days The Company will do its own erection, and hopes to have the mill ready for operation by July next. In the meantime it is building a pipe line for its own water supply. and also an aerial tramway.
-Pittsburgh Post-Gazette, December 19, 1906

Of course, railways, tramways, millsites, and other improvements would benefit Blair more than Silver Peak. The train depot was three miles away from Silver Peak. Silver Peak was doomed!

Or was it?

SILVER PEAK - Western Chemicals Company completes construction of $200,000 plant.
-The Silver State, December 18, 1920

OROMONTE CO. SHIPPING ORE
Plans for a bunk house measuring twenty-four by seventy feet have been received from the headquarters of the Oromonte Mines Company operating at Valcada in the Silver Peak district. The sketches comprise a cook house and mess house with accommodations for fifty men during the construction period of the camp. Ten men are now working underground getting out regular shipments including test lots for the Mason Valley company to determine the metallurgy involved in the treatment.
-Reno Evening Gazette, January 20, 1928

NEWS OF THE STATE
SILVER PEAK- Preparations progress for increasing the capacity of the Fanchini-Hughes mill
-Mason Valley News, January 21, 1928

Things were picking up at Silver Peak.

Jack Coughlin, miner and cattleman of Silver Peak, spent several says in Goldfield this week supervising the moving of a house to that camp where every available house is in demand.
-Reno Evening Gazette, January 25, 1936

Although activity was sporadic, there was still mining and development going on after Blair went bust around 1918. Major activity at nearby Nivloc most likely helped.

70 MEN WORKING AT SILVER PEAK PROPERTY
The new Black Mammoth cyanide mill at Silver Peak is treating a hundred tons daily of ore averaging from twelve to fifteen dollars a ton in gold, W. B. Naistnith, vice-president, who was at the Golden Saturday with his family, stated. The plant is one of the best built lately in the state. A saving just over ninety-five per cent of the values is being made. Seventy men are at work on the property, a number of them being employed on development work. 'Miners and muckers alike receive five dollars a shift. Fred Vollmar is president and manager of the corporation. The Calumet company, working a lease on the Mary gold is working a few men on development, and the Gold Wedge Divide. which recently took over the Oromonte mine and the R. & K. mill has a force of about fourteen men employed. Representatives of several large mining concerns have been in the district recently examining one of the large properties of the camp and a deal may result, it is reported. John A. Fulton, director of the Mackay School of Mines, visited the district Sunday, accompanied by Harry E. Wheeler and W. L. Smyth, professors in the school and the following students: Craig Moore, : J. C. Stephens, Fred Tong. E. L. i Spencer, Ralph Birchard, H. Burrus Roy Caldwell, Eldridge Nash, Kenyon Richard, Whitney De La Mare, John Gleary and M. W. Redhead. The party visited the mine and mill of the Black Mammoth, Fred Volimar acting as guide. They traveled to and from Reno in the automobile and party wagon given to the school last fall by S. F. Hunt, discoverer of the Rio Tinto mine, in Elko county, now owned by the Mountain City Copper Company. Besides being director of the mining school Mr. Fulton is the representative in Nevada of the Pittsburgh Silver Peak company, owning the Mary mine, which is being worked under lease by the Black Mammoth corporation.
-Reno Evening Gazette , March 4, 1936

Enough people had situated themselves at Silver Peak that a high school was needed.

PLANS FOR SCHOOL ABANDONED AT ESMERALDA
GOLDFIELD, May 6 (Special)—The Esmeralda County Board of Education has been notified by the state superintendent, Mildred Bray, that a high school cannot be established in Silver Peak, as that town is within forty miles of the established high school here, which is the limit fixed by law. Silver Peak high school pupils are allowed a stated remuneration for transportation expenses if in attendance at the school in Goldfield.
-Reno Evening Gazette, May 06, 1938

The State's silly rules were not going to stop the intrepid citizens of Silver Peak!

Mr. and Mrs. L. S. Patterson of Silver Peak and J. C. Lewis were visitors in Goldfield last week in the interest of the proposed high school at Silver Peak, which is awaiting a decision by the attorney general, Grey Mashburn. They report that Fred Volmer, prominent mining man of Silver Peak, will donate the ground in the new townsite at Silver Peak, which will be located forty and one-half miles from Goldfield, to conform with the new law, which requires a distance of over forty miles from an already established high school. Mrs. Patterson, who is clerk of the Silver Peak school board, says seventeen high school pupils are residing in that district.
-Reno Evening Gazette, May 16, 1938

Once they got their school, they just moved it in the middle of the night to where they wanted it.

With the last revival Silver Peak wanted better school facilities, including a high school. Since both State and county contribute to support the local schools it was necessary to get consent from State authorities. According to the law, the State will not contribute to more than one high school within a radius of 40 miles-- and the lot set aside for the high school site was 38 3/4 miles from the high school at Goldfield. Very reluctantly, the Silver Peak board agreed to put the school 1 1/4 miles beyond their town-- if that was the only way they could get it. And State authorities hastily looked around for a frame school building in some deserted camp to be moved in there. School opened, but in October a determined group went out one night and hauled the building to the central site previously selected, bringing it within the forbidden zone. Under pressure local authorities reluctantly fined the school movers-- and then used the funds to stage a community Hallowe'en party.
-The WPA Guide to 1930's Nevada

The historical marker certainly gives the impression of an entire town consumed by flames. In an March 2021 Nevada Appeal column on Silver Peak, Richard Moreno states "A potentially fatal blow was struck in 1948, when most of the town burned." However, news accounts of the day report only the grocery store and part of the post office burned. But, I suppose the only grocery store is bad enough.

Mining Camp Hit by Fire
Only Grocery Is Destroyed GOLDFIELD, April 10. — The only grocery store at Silver Peak, mining camp 25 miles west of here, was destroyed in a fire that razed a large building this morning. The store and all of its stock were burned. Silver Peak's post office also was a fire casualty, although all of the mail and some of the records were saved. The grocery was owned by Stan-ley Chiatovich, Ernie Shirley and Harvey Humphrey. The fire started at 9 o'clock, and its origin was not determined. Sheriff E. N. Kitchen and County Commissioner William J. Stender took chemical fire-fighting equipment from Goldfield, while Fire Chief Dave Banovich and Charles Cavanaugh flew from Tonopah. Fire-fighting equipment in Silver Peak was lacking, and the flames raged out of control.
-Reno Evening Gazette, 10 Apr 1948

In the 1960's a discovery took place that drives Silver Peak even today- lithium.

The LITHIUM DISCOVERED IN SILVER PEAK AREA
Lithium, a rare mineral, has been discovered in the Silver Peak area near Tonopah and mining operations are already underway. Foote Mineral Co., which had been testing for lithium, is now pumping the salt wells at Silver Peak for the mineral, a Nevada mining official said. "This is new for Nevada," Mery Gallagher, chief inspector of mines for the state, said. "I don't recall any lithium discoveries before." Gallagher estimated that between 50 and 100 men will be working at the new operation. No estimate can be made of the value of the find chiefly because the price depends on the market available for the product and the costs of separating it from the salt deposits, Paul Gemmill, executive secretary of the Nevada Mining Association, said. Gemmill added that Foote Mineral Co., the world's leading producer of lithium and electrolytic manganese, has joined the mining association. Officials who will run the plant include John Bassarear, former general superintendent of the electrolytic manganese plant in Knoxville, Tenn. who will be operations manager, and Ted Evans, general superintendent. Evans has been at the Silver Peak operation since 1964. Foote has already employed four hourly personnel to operate the pumping station in connection with the first stage solar evaporation of the brines in Clayton Valley. The mineral is produced in brine wells and must be evaporated from the salt. Foote has also purchased the former plant at Silver Peak owned by the U.S. Mining and Milling Co. to refine the product.
-Reno Evening Gazette, February 2, 1965

As of this date, the Silver Peak lithium mine, operated by Albemarle Corporation, is the only operating lithium mine in the United States.

Mary Mine

37.796276° -117.697221°

Referred to as The Mary Mine when the Pittsburgh Silver Peak Co. swooped into the area in 1906, it actually encompasses several mines and claims. It is rumored to have about sixty miles of underground workings. Some backgrond from the late 1930's:

HISTORY
Silver ores in outlying properties were of principal interest between 1864 and 1869. A gold mill for the Drinkwater (or Blair properties) was completed near Silver Peak Village about 1867. Between then and about 1903 the properties were worked in a desultory way during a few periods of a few years each, litigation having hindered progress for a considerable time. Between 1900 and 1906 there was considerable small scale activity on high grade ore. The principal properties were taken over by the Pittsburgh Silver Peak Mining Co. about 1906. The properties were extensively explored and worked by them until about 1915. Equipment was extensive, consisting in part of branch railroad from Blair Junction to Blair, aerial tramway from Mary Tunnel to mill at Blair. The mill at Blair had a capacity of about 500 tons daily. The mines were well equipped and organized for the period. Under the old price of gold large tonnages of low grade ore, about $6 per tone, were handled, and unusually low costs were attained. Probably the mill was too large for the mine. Also it is probable that these operators did not renumerate themselves from operating profits. Between 1917 and 1930 the district was dormant except for several spasms of small leasing operations. These became greater after 1930, and several parties of individuals, partnerships, and small companies were involved. Out of these attempts grew the present activities of the Black Mammoth Consolidated mining Company, under the principal guidance of Mr. F. A. Vollmer, Jr. From them Mr. Basil Prescott secured the Prescott Lease, which covers the southeastern half, mostly "blind" of the old Pittsburgh Silver Peak holdings. Operations on the lease began in the fall of 1936, and they grew in intensity until a large mill was built at the elevation of the Mary Tunnel. This mill began operations in the Spring of 1938 as a flotation plant. Alterations and additions for the use of cyanidation of concentrates and sand tails were completed about January, 1939. Earlier than the lease activities the Black Mammoth had constructed a cyanidation plant at Silver Peak village which now has a capacity of about 140 tons daily, but which involves a truck haul of about nine miles. -REPORT OF GENERAL GEOLOGY AND ORE DEPOSITS OF MINERAL RIDGE, John G. Barry, November 1939

Just your usual hump day melee.

THREE MEN SHOT IN SALOON FIGHT AT BLAIR.
Immediately following an apparently general fight in a saloon near the Mary Mine at Blair at 1:30 o'clock Wednesday morning, R. A. Prior, a shift boss at the Silver Peak mine in that camp, while on his way home, was shot twice and seriously, though not fatally, injured by Mike Delie, a Montenegrin miner, who was discharged from the property two weeks ago. Two bystanders R. Munsoetto and Pete Vamolin, Italian miners, were hit by bullets fired by Delie and both sustained superficial wounds in their arms. Armed with an automatic revolver [??] with which he did the shooting. Delie fled the camp. Sheriff Ingalls and District Attorney M. A. Diskin Immediately left for Blair by automobile. A Swedish miner, known as "Big Ole" is under arrest at Blair, accused of having struck Prior ever the head with a revolver in the general melee in the saloon. One of the bullets that struck Prior passed through his left shoulder and the other through his right hand. He is confined at the emergency hospital of the Pittsburg Silver Peak Gold Mining company and is being attended by Dr. Roller, the company physician. His wounds are not regarded as serious.
-White Pine News Weekly Mining Review, December 14, 1913

Luckily they jumped on this.

BLACKSMITH DAMAGED BY FIRE
Fire broke out In the blacksmith shop of the Mary Mine of the Pittsburg Silver Peak company, early Saturday morning, but was discovered before it had a chance to spread to neighboring buildings. The blaze was first noticed about two o'clock as the night shift was coming off duty. All hands turned to and succeeded in keeping the fire confined to this one building, although the machine shop adjoins the blacksmith shop. The building was a total loss. Tonopah Daily Bonanza. September 16, 1914

Things really slowed down after the Pittsburgh outfit pulled out, but leasers kept things going.

REVIVAL IN SIGHT ON SILVER PEAK PROPERTIES
About 1915 the company had depleted the ore reserves to the extent that further operations by them would prove unprofitable, the mill was dismantled and the railroad junked. THe hopeful leaser, however, believed there were still good pickings to be had, and in 1916 or 1917 a ten stamp mill was erected at Silver Peak, and before the stamps were finally hung up a gross production had been made of $100,000. Then followed a period of inaction and solitude, until the entry into the district a few years ago of the Lucky Boy Divide Mining Company, which secured a long-time lease on the Mary Mine and inaugurated a policy of sub-leasing, there being now four of these sub-leases in operation. These leases have in the past year or two made a very respectable production of ore of excellent grade, and the future outlook on them is bright, on account of developments already made and the fact that the Lucky Boy Company has recently installed a compressor plant and is furnishing the sub-leasers with air and drills.
-Reno Evening Gazette, December 5, 1924

Mary Mine Scene Of Rich Strike, Silver Peak Camp
Virgin Territory In Wasson Area Opens Wide Vein Ore
Six feet of ore said to carry from $40 to $50 in gold has been exposed in the underground workings of the Calumet Gold Mining company's lease on the Mary mine at Silver Peak, according to D. Miocco, superintendent of the company, who was in Tonopah for supplies. From eight to 10 tons of this grade of ore are being broken down daily and hoisted to the surface for treatment at the mill at Silver Peak, Miocco told a Times reporter. The vein system is a continuation of the famous Drinkwater section of the Mary mine and the ore was found in territory which was recommended by George Garrey for exploration in 1914, before the Pittsburgh Silver Peak company abandoned the mine. Miocco plans to maintain a steady productiaon of some 300 tons of ore monthly, and this is being delivered to the mill. Two shifts of miners are breaking ore.
-Nevada State Journal, December 5, 1932

It's now the 1940's and they're still finding stuff to yank out of the ground up here.

300-TON PLANT IN SILVER PEAK IS OPERATING
Flotation Mill Again Is Treating Mary Mine Ore
In the Silver Peak district, in central Esmeralda county, the 300-ton flotation mill with sand leaching department, situated at the Mary mine, is being operated at approximately capacity, It was stated in Reno by Arthur N. Sweet, directing engineer for E. L. Cord, retired automobile manufacturer who now controls all principal properties in the district including those of the Black Mammoth Cons. Mining Co. and those operated in late years by Cord under the name of the Prescott lease. Early this year, because of the exhaustion of available ore, the 300-ton mill, equipment of which as acquired earlier from the bankrupt Como Mines Co., was closed down to await further development in the Mary mine, which was said to have resulted in blocking sufficient ore to warrant resumption of milling. Within late weeks full crews have been employed in the mine and mill. Discovered in 1863, the Silver Peak and Red Mountain district was prospected extensively at intervals and had several small mills, including a 30-stamp mill that was built in 1867. Major-scale operations started started around 1906 when the Mary, Mohawk, Alpine, Drinkwater and Silver Peak mines were purchased by the Pittsburgh Silver Peak Gold Mining Co., headed by prominent political figures of Pennsylvania. This company built a 100-stamp mill and a railroad line from the T. & G. railroad to Blair, near the mines. Later it acquired the Valcalda mine and added 20 stamps to the Blair mill, making it the largest quartz mill in Nevada. After having produced around $7,000,000 in gold, the mines were closed down and the mill was dismantled in 1915. Thereafter lessees produced over $100,000 from the Mary mine, hauling their ore to a smaller plant at Silver Peak.
-Nevada State Journal, October 14, 1940

Pretty soon, though, especially due to World War Two, it was no longer profitable to mine here.

Work Suspended At Mary Mine
Priorities Given As Cause
Mining operations on the Prescott lease above Silver Peak have been definitely suspended, according to information received in Goldfield, the News announces. The Mary mine has been operated by E. L. Cord, who leased the property from the Black Mammoth Mining Company last year. Operations, up to the time of shut down, have proved successful but the inability to obtain supplies due to the curtailment of priorities to gold and silver mines made necessary the suspension of mining, according to the management. Mining operations in the Mary were stopped last Wednesday, although the mill is still working. It is understood the latter will close when the ores in the bin are exhausted. Approximately thirty men have been employed at the mine and mill, many of the workers having lived with their families on the Mary Hill. An unverified report stated the mill will be dismantled and sold after the clean up. The plant was capable of treating three hundred tons daily. The Black Mammoth mill burned down a few months ago and the camp is left without any large operation to support the residents. The Desert Silver is the only large property operating in the area now. It is at Nivloc, about nine miles to the west.
-Renoe Evening Gazette, April 8, 1942

Equipment Taken From Mary Mine
The Tonopah Times says that crew members remain at work on the Mary Mine at Silver Peak, dismantling equipment preparatory to a complete shut-down of the mine and mill. The work ts as scheduled to have been completed last Friday but after inspection by E L. Cord it was decided to continue cleanup for another two weeks. All mine and mill operations ceased several weeks ago and operating equipment below the surface has been dismantled and stored on top. The Mary Mine has been operated by E. L. Cord, who leased the property from the Black Mammoth Cons. Mining Co.
-Nevada State Journal May 25, 1942

They must have really needed housing in Lone Pine and Hawthorne to drag these buildings off Mary Hill.

Five houses are being moved from the Mary Mine on Mary Hill, above Silver Peak, some miles west of Goldfield. Four will go to Lone Pine, Calif., and one to Hawthorne and the operation will be a real feat for a house mover, as the road is difficult and steep. It is several miles down with a ten per cent grade in many places and there are many sharp curves.
-Reno Evening Gazette, Jul 8, 1944