40.544444, -118.140556

Silver was discovered here during the Civil War. The town boomed between 1864 and 1865 with over a thousand residents, but went into sever decline very soon after. By 1870, the population was 78 residents. Schools, saloons, stores, and ten stamp mill- all were abandoned by 1880 when the silver ran out. Limited activity continued at the mines, however. In 1919, Pershin County was created and Star City found itself there instead of Humboldy County

Almost frenzied activity is taking place in Star City.

LETTER FROM THE HUMBOLDT
Santa Clara, Humboldt Co.
N.T. March 16, 1862
Editor of the Beacon:
Persons who have recently arrived from California report the Humboldt fever prevalent in many localities and that a huge crowd of silver seekers will migrate to this region during the next six months. Now the questions may be asked, are the Humboldt mines extensive enough to justify thousands in going there with any hope or certainty of being renumerated? Certainly they are: this is the biggest country in the world: it contains more silver, sagebrush, and ragged millionaires to the acre than any other patch of land in existence.
The jumping of water claims, mill seats, ranches, town lots, and quartz leads is being carried on in our neighboring towns and districts; generally by selfish grasping individuals, who had already laid claim to a great deal more that than the liberal District laws allow. The other day a party of "emigrants" jumped the town plaza, in Star City, and laid it off into town lots-- these fellows are undoubtedly inaugurating a policy that will operate sorely to their disadvantage in the future. He who meddles not with the claims of other, and is "constitutionally opposed to jumping" can defend his own property against like encroachments with a determination backed by principle.
-Red Bluff [CA] Beacon, April 17, 1862

Some of the usual flowery and -- perhaps-- exaggerated descriptions.

Humboldt Correspondence. SANTA CLARA Humboldt Co.. N. T. June 1, 1862
GEO. H. CROSETTE:-At the request of some old Butte county friends who, like myself, are wooing the fickle goddess, Fortune, in this land of silver, I write you this for publication, and will endeavor to give you some little information concerning this new mining region, which is fast gaining notoriety and must come in for its full share of popularity with the wandering fortune seekers of California, which, I think, will prove more lasting and permanent than the eclat pertaining to Salmon. Cariboo and other localities of the North.
The mines are situated in a long, rugged and lofty mountain ridge, ranging north and south. The Humboldt river winds its serpentine course within five miles of its northern base, then makes an elbow and bears southward to the sink, some 75 miles distant. Lassen's Meadows, or Lander City, is directly opposite the mountain on the north side of the river, about fifteen miles from this town. According to Col. Lander's roadometer, it is 135 miles from that point to Susanville, which lies directly west. The distance to Carson City is 175 miles. (We are 110 miles north and 80 east of that place.) This mountain range, which embraces all of the principal mineral discoveries, is surrounded by vast alkali plains, portions of which are too barren and worthless to vegetate even sage brush, but the mountains are sparsely clothed with small-sized cedar and juniper trees— so-called cottonwood poles and an abundance of bunch grass, upon which stock subsist the year round; and upon the foot hills and plains are immense forests of sage brush, some of which tower grandly above the plain and attain the magnificent bight of six feet! All the fuel will eventually have to come from this source, unless, perchance, coal should be found, of which there are said to be plenty of indications, and parties are on the prospect for it up the river. Numerous streams of pure, excellent water. sufficient for mill purposes, course down the western slope of the mountain. and the towns of Santa Clara. Star City and Unionville are situated on this side, and are all improving and building up rapidly. Humboldt City and Lassenville are on the western slope. Unionville, the county seat, is situated in a broad, beautiful canon fifteen miles south of this place. The town is laid out along the creek, one mile in length —the buildings are of stone and adobe, and are going up the entire distance. Star City, three miles south of Santa Clara, was originally laid out, about one mile in length, along Star Canon, portions of which are sufficiently wide for a wagon-road and small sized lots on either side; but the Town Directors have recently caused an extension of the town limits. Said extension embraces a very eligible site for a town, or rather city; it is laid off at the mouth of the canon one mile square, and has been surveyed and mapped by the County Surveyor, and laid of into streets, blocks and lots, of proper dimensions. The lots were thrown open to the public, for location, a few days since, and there was considerable of a rush and strife for the first choice; but the admirable town laws and gentlemanly and efficient officers to enforce them, insure regularity and order. To become an owner of real estate in this town, a person must apply to the Town Recorder, and upon advancing five dollars, he is put in possession of any lot he may choose, then vacant; and within the specified time. be must pay twelve dollars in addition, or perform that amount of labor in grading streets, etc. under the direction of the town authorities; and a certain amount of improvements must be put upon each lot within ninety days from date of location. Having complied with the town laws, the person is then entitled to a deed to his lot from the Town Directors. No person is allowed to locate more than three lots in the town, and but one on the same street. The laws are stringent in order to bar out speculators and preserve the lots for actual settlers. I would here indulge in some reflections on the grand and mighty future of this young city and predict, the beautiful silver palaces that will most assuredly rise in lieu of the sage brush, were it not that I am an interested party— being concerned in the prosperity of the city, that is soon to be, in lots, to the extent of the limit of the law before alluded to, I modestly forbear.
-Chico Daily Chronicle, Jun 14, 1862

Things were beginning to slow a bit.

STAR CITY
Took a look through the town a few days since. It has greatly improved within the past three months, though very quiet now. Two large stone buildings on the plaza, and a fine looking adobe hotel besides at least fifty other good buildings have been erected since our last preceding visit.
-Gold Hill Daily News, November 16, 1863

Local inhabitants, who lived in the area for centuries, proved to be an issue with the more recent visitors, resulting in many clashes, bad behavior, and strong language on both sides.

THE INDIAN TROUBLES IN HUMBOLDT.
We find in this morning's Union the following dispatches which have been received by the Governor in reference to the Indian difficulties in Humboldt county, and also those in reply to his calls upon General Wright and Major McDermit, for troops to protect the whites:

STAR CITY, Nev., March 14, 1865.
H. G. BLASDEL, Governor of Nevada: An Indian outbreak has occurred on the Honey Lake road; three men have been killed and two others attacked who made their escape. The Indians hold the entire route, and small parties dare not travel. The last man killed was the station keeper, at Wall Springs, half-way station. Station keepers along the road have been driven into this place. The Indians are threatening the towns on the Humboldt, having committed depredations as far up as St. Marys. Our supply of provisions is endangered if this route is closed. We have at this place neither arms, ammunition, nor provisions, with which to fit out an expedition. And we earnestly entreat that you will have the necessary men and supplies sent to Smoke Creek station with the utmost dispatch.
E. F. DUNNE, and others.

UNIONVILLE, Nev., March, 15, 1865.
To Gov. BLASDEL:
The Indians are committing depredations on the Honey Lake road. Can you send us any troops?Several attacks have been made on parties traveling that road within the past few days.
THOMAS EWING

SAN FRANCISCO, Cal., March 14, 1865.
To Gov. BLASDEL: All the troops in Nevada and at Owens river, have been formed into a sub-district, under the command of Major McDermit, who is ordered to give all the protection they can afford to the people in the State of Nevada.
R. C. DRUM, A. A. G.

FORT CHURCHILL, Nevada,
March 15, 1865.
To Gov. BLASDEL; I will ask General Wright to order fifty mounted men frond Camp Nye to Honey Lake, and as soon as an answer is received I will let you know.
CHARLES MCDERMIT, Major Com'dg Post.

The following dispatch was received yesterday, by Senator Hutchins, of Humboldt, in reply to one he sent, asking for information in regard to the Indian difficulties there, and how near to Star City the two white men were recently killed. Mr. Hutchins is in Carson at present, actively at work to afford his constituents the desired relief :

STAR CITY, Nev., March 15, 1865.
The two men were killed within sixty miles of this place. The nearest Indians threatening us are yet at St. Marys, on the Humboldt river, about twenty miles from here. Urge the Governor to send troops and arms to our military companies.
E. F. DUNNE.

Adjutant General Cradlebaugh came to Gold Hill last evening, and gathered up all the spare arms in the possession of the Home Guard, and will dispatch them today to the scene of disturbance. The same influences which have stirred up the Indians farther eastward to bloodshed, have probably been brought to bear upon these tribes. If this should prove to be the case, and a general uprising of the savages should occur, there will be no recourse but the final solution of the great Indian problem: by exterminating the whole race. or driving them forever beyond our frontier.
-Gold Hill Daily News, March 16, 1865

Some improvements were coming, but the town was already dying.

A telegraph line is to be built from Star City, Humboldt county, to Boise City, Idaho, this season.
-Gold Hill Daily News, May 24, 1866

While activity continued somewhat abated at the mines, the town was approaching death's door.

THE OLD TOWNS
Have all gone into decay, with the single exception of Dun Glen—hat place appears to hold its own by some strange tenacity of life, and even shows some signs of future growth. Star City, the former Humboldt metropolis, is now in ruins. Broken walls stand on the hillsides and torn canvas flutters in the wind on either hand; the busy crowds of miners who used to fill the saloons every night, the genteel looking sport, lawyers, doctors, etc., have all departed. In Western phrase, the place is "played out." It went up with "Sheba" and went down with it. The rich ore that at first was found in that mine and along what was called the "Sheba belt" built the town and the hopes of every man who owned "feet" in the District. The ore gave out, and there was no further use for the town.
-Gold Hill Daily News, October 12, 1867

And, as is usual in Nevada, buildings no longer needed were moved where they were needed.

FOR SALE, A FIREPROOF BUILDING
In Star City, containing 8,000 feet of lumber, with strong fire-proof doors.
N. LEVY, Winnemucca
-Elko Independent, July 3, 1869

Work continued at the mines, but that didn't last very long.

HAS FALLEN INTO GOOD HANDS
The Sheba Mine at Star City has at length passed into hands that will bring it to the surface again as one of the leading mines of Humboldt. Governor Fall, who has just returned from San Francisco, informs us that while below he made arrangements whereby this fine property passes into his control.
-Gold Hill Daily News, April 6, 1870

It is said that the Auburn Mill Company, at Reno, have purchased the DeSoto mine at Star City.
Gold Hill Daily News, October 14, 1871

SHEBA MINES ARE FINE PROPERTY
Everything Progressing Nicely at Star City--Many Men are Employed -- Some Snow Left
Amson Reinhart returned from a visit to the Sheba mines at Star City this morning. He spent the day there yesterday. He reports that Superintendent Floater is developing a fine piece of property and has much ore blocked out. He building a tramway from the mine to the Huntington mill, and expects to have the mill running by March 10th. Mr. Reinhart was greatly impressed by what he saw and says that thirty men are employed at the mine, He reports three feet of snow in the canyon near the mine. He says that Star Creek is running bank full and that there will be enough water to run the mill for five or six months. Mr. Floater is installing a 100 horse power engine during periods of droth.
-The Silver State, February 12, 1906

You can easily see where Star City was, but there isn't much left but a few rock ruins and crumbled foundations. The road was good when we went, and there were campers with a tent trailer up the road a few yards. This time of year the weather was perfect; running water, warm day, cold nights, no bugs. If you're planning on visiting any of the mines up the road, bring a high-clearance vehicle- the road gets a little rocky.