McDermitt
Longtime residents compare McDermitt, Nevada, to "a modern ghost town."
Located on U.S. 95, at the tip of the Silver State and very near the confluence of Nevada, Oregon and Idaho, this pleasant little town always has been an outpost. Born as a cavalry station during a time of turmoil between settlers and Native Americans, the town was named for Colonel McDermitt, the commander of the fort, who lost his life in a scuffle with the indigenous residents.
Both the town and the adjacent reservation are named after McDermitt, reflecting a blend of Indigenous culture and Western heritage. Appropriately, two major annual events define the community: the Indian Rodeo in June and the Ranch Hand Rodeo, also known as the Twin States Stampede, in July. The Twin States Stampede, held annually for over a century, is the longest-running rodeo in Nevada. Following the rodeo, various street activities—such as sack races, egg races, and tug of war—are organized to encourage community participation. Evening festivities include a street dance that continues into the early morning hours. For Rodeo information call Darlene Albisu at 775-532-8240 or for general information call Sheree Tibbals at 775-623-2220.
The rest of the time, though, McDermitt – which straddles the Nevada-Oregon border – enjoys a peaceful serenity punctuated by quiet events at the McDermitt Community Hall. And that’s the way the small population likes it.
Similar to many towns in Cowboy Country, the unincorporated community of McDermitt has experienced periods of mining prosperity, with gold, silver, and mercury extracted from its land. Nevertheless, ranching remains the predominant industry, with extensive cattle operations present in the surrounding area. According to local accounts, during Prohibition the town was notably active in providing home-brewed beverages to residents of Idaho.
Fort McDermitt
5 miles east of US 95 at a point 40 miles north of its junction with SR 140 (69 miles North of Winnemucca).
This place is not to be confused with the community of McDermitt on US 95, 5 miles to the west.
The Fort’s History
Lieutenant Colonel Charles F. McDermitt (also spelled McDermitt), commander of the Nevada military district, ordered establishment of a camp at Quinn River Station on the north bank of the East Fork of the Quinn River during the summer of 1865 to protect travelers passing b etween Boise, Star City and Virginia City. That same summer Colonel McDermitt was ambushed and killed by Indians while riding in Quinn River Valley, and by 1867 the camp renamed in his honor had stone and adobe buildings which housed the usual army facilities. About a decade later frame buildings were added, and in 1879 Camp McDermitt became Fort McDermitt, but the need for military presence in the area was diminishing, and a decade later the fort, Nevada’s last cavalry post was abandoned. The building became part of the Fort McDermitt Indian Reservation, and some of them still stand.
Buckskin
Located 12 miles east of US 95 via an unimproved road, at a point 29 miles north of its intersection with SR 140, the Buckskin mine was originally discovered by two Winnemucca prospectors in 1906 on the northeast slope of the Buckskin Mountains. When mining activity increased at National, four miles to the northwest, additional prospectors were drawn to the area. The Buckskin National Gold Mining Company constructed a 100-ton flotation mill; however, this process was ultimately unsuitable for the local ore. Over the next two decades, the company and several lessees operated the mine intermittently until approximately 1930, when the Nevada Lucky Tiger Company assumed control of the property and built a new mill. This operation was also short-lived, ceasing when the mill was destroyed by fire during the Depression.