Founded 1864 ~ Established 1870 ~ County Seat 1873

Welcome Dear Visitors!

Stroll the historic downtown, enjoy our restaurants, stay in our motels and go shopping.

Bike, hike. ride our many trails or join us at one of our many events.

We are so glad that you are here.

Eureka! 

You Found Us! 

Our Story

Eureka was discovered in September of 1864 by silver prospectors, WR. Tannehill, GT. Tannehill, JW. Smith and Moses Wilson from nearby Austin.

They were not disappointed as they found rock containing a silver-lead ore in New York Canyon near the present site of Eureka. In 1869 Major William M. McCoy and Alonzo Monroe selected a site for a town in what was known as Horse Thief Canyon. The town was later surveyed and on January 27, 1870 the Post Office was established and it was officially named

“ Eureka.”

Eureka, from the Greek term" I have found it "

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Though Eureka was first discovered in 1864, the extraction process was very difficult. Then, in about 1869  the first smelters were built to process these complex lead ores.

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In 1873 Eureka became the county seat. It was carved out of Lander, Elko and White Pine Counties.

Eureka became a fast growing, boom town coming in second only to the Comstock Lode of Virginia City.

Life sprung up to support this growing community with ranchers, shops, three newspapers, doctors, lawyers, surveyors, railroad, churches and several schools, all working to build a life in Nevada. A large amount of growth was spurred in 1875, due to the completion of the Eureka Palisade Railroad allowing the ore and resources to be shipped out and brought in.

In the 1880s Eureka held one of the most eclectic international populations with folks coming from all over seeking their fame and fortune in the gold and silver mines of the Eureka Mining District. Most notable were the Italian, Cornish and Chinese immigrant populations, contributing tremendously to the construction, mining, wood cutting and charcoal burning needed to keep these numerous mines and smelters running. 50 mines produced gold, silver, lead and zinc for the 17 smelters that had processed up to 700 tons per day.

In 1879 and in the 1880’s, devastating fires and floods nearly destroyed all of the buildings in Eureka, these immigrant pioneers rebuilt the town, better and stronger each time.

During Eureka's  1870's  there were 125 saloons, 25 gambling halls and one hundred other

businesses.

Today, Eureka is vibrant and alive with the blood of these immigrants flowing through her people. Two very prominent bloodlines in Eureka are the Italian and Basque descendants. The Italians, also known as the Carbonari arrived in the 1870s and 1880s to chop and transport wood to fuel the charcoal ovens. The Basques were enterprising sheep herders that came in the 1890s and early 1900s.

Ranching and farming are still very much a part of  Eureka’s economy with alfalfa, Timothy hay and beef being the primary agricultural exports. From 1864 to the present day, Eureka County still has numerous active mining operations that contribute enormously to our Eureka economy. 

We do hope our friendly community, accommodations, amenities and attractions make your visit a happy and memorable one.