In the short 15 minutes of this video I learned more than watching hours of videos of other vlogers about this town. You are my favorite historical vloger.
I first went to Rhyolite in the very early '70's as a 10 year old kid with my Dad and my brother. A few years later, as a teen, I "accidentally" opened a Penthouse magazine and looked at a layout of a young lady posing in the ruins of Rhyolite, with one memorable photo being of her standing in the second story window of the Cook Bank Building. 😀 I was there again about 10 years ago; the art and sculpture that was there gave the place a completely different vibe. Thanks for the great video, Steve.
I first saw Rhyolite in the early 1970's--- the train station was open and a museum.... the bottle house was too, and I and friends spent the afternoon exploring what was left of the town. Returning 20 years later - so much was gone - the station closed and boarded up. But I have my memories......
I was about 14 when my grandfather showed me a beautiful greenish-gold hunk of rock about the size of his fist that sparkled all over and he told me that his Dad, my GGF was a young man working at the Bullfrog Mine, living in Beaty when he slipped that rock into his pocket as a souvenir of his time there. He's been gone for years now and I'm an old man myself but I'm always reminded of how hard those "Old Timers" had to work in those days. After Rhyolite my GGF went to the No Cal Coast and made a living cutting redwood railroad ties with saws and axes for 5 cents each.
Rhyolite has such an overwhelming sense of melancholy. To look at the old photos of it in heyday, in comparison to today is so sad. One can't help but think of the men, women, and children that lived there. The hustle and bustle of the residents going about their daily routines. The loves won and lost. The sounds of a busy city, voices and laughter, the train whistles, children playing, the occasional barking dog, now silent. No one lives there now but the ghosts of the past. Thank you for making this video. Jack
It's sad to me, also. There's no telling the stories that could be told about life there. At least, they weren't too puritanical as they didn't set fire to the "red light district". Have never heard of a male brothel out there back in those days. Have never heard of a woman being arrested for a peeping Jane.
Westmorland was my mother's cousin, black sheep of the family. He willed his Rhyolite holdings to his sister Freddie. They were from Atlanta, children of strict Baptist minister. Freddie lived in the depot and ran a little museum and gift shop when we visited.
I went to the town with a group of friends on a motorcycle ride in 2008. Hard to imagine a boom and bust town of this size that ended so quickly. A fascinating piece of history from the old west. Great video Steve. I always enjoy all the information that you research in making your videos.
Lived in Beatty for approximately two to three years.... Spooky vibes there... No matter the time of day....I think I would choose to NOT visit against all persistent persuaders....🤠 .
I honestly envy the fact that you’re traveling to all these wild destinations especially here in the US. Once the kids get a little bit older I plan to travel a little more like I used but seeing all these places you’re sharing with us is really inspiring. Thank you man 🤜🏼
Back in the mid-80s I lived in Nevada and visited the Ghosttowns every weekend. It was at that time when an individual named James Spencer purchased the entire town. Imagine my surprise when I stopped by the townsite one beautiful afternoon and there was Mr. Spencer, walking the grounds. A guy in his 40s, he was friendly and we had an extensive conversation. He was stunned when I told him my grandfather's name was James Spencer (no relation-that I know of). Anyways, he ended up selling the town just a few years later.
Interesting that such a large down disappeared so quickly. It's so odd to hear of famous historical figures being effected by economic downturns. I used to work in Downtown San Diego, often walking down to the Gaslamp Quarter and the remaining bit of China Town. I was surprised to learn that Wyatt Earp used to own land in the area that used to be called the Stingeree, but sold it at a loss due to a financial crash in the 1890s. So many great stories, Steve! Thanks for all your great research.
I have been to Rhyolite so many times and knew little of the history. Being from Las Vegas I would take all of my out of town friends to Death Valley and Rhyolite. None of them were ever disappointed. I used to go to Furness Creek in the middle of summer to enjoy the heat. I grew up in Havasu. If I have shade and water I'm okay. Thanks Steve.
I spent a LOT of time in Rhyolite - as I volunteered often to restore some of the pieces at the Goldwell Open Air Museum (Nextdoor neighbor). This town's history has always been so interesting to me. Thanks for doing this video.
I was in a grocery store in Escondido while paying at the human cashier check-out and noticed her child about your son's age wearing a SD hat, so I told her about you, and your UA-cam channel..I hope that leads to another subscriber to Sidetrack Adventures, because you deserve it my man. Great video as always. 👍
Another 11plus video! We visited Rhyolite on trips to Death Valley in the 80s and 90s in our 84 Land Cruiser and a dome tent for shelter. We remember the bottle house and the bank building, but of course did not have the drone's eye view. We are in our 70s now so we appreciate this great exploration of our memories.
I've been to Rhyolite numerous times and I took many friends there and always tried to make them understand the history of the place. Rhyolites' short span of booming days is a unique mirror of longer spans of larger civilisations... Built on dreams and expectations and destroyed by a lack of faith into the the very own aspirations. As of today there's still mining going on in the area - and on a much larger scale than ever before. But people chosed to leave back in the 1910th's because they were told that the mines had played out. They didn't even check whether this was true or not. They just gave up, moved away and left everything behind they'd been working for so hard. This is where we're at a whole, as the Western civilization, right now at this time. We're being told that we're wrong and we need to get rid of everything our ancestors and we've been working for - just because someone says so...
You put together some of the best videos!! One thing is wonderful bout your videos is when you are walking you hear your voice as to what you are talking bout not the sound of your feet crunching. Well done!!
Hi Steve, another great video as always, amazing that Rhyolite only lasted for such a short time considering the investment in infrastructure. All the very best from Australia.
Man just like everyone else says , I love your channel. You have a special something about your videos, the presentation the music, the way you speak, simply your enthusiasm for what you are doing. I very much appreciate the work you put in. Thankyou for the escape you provide.
This was an excellent video on Rhyolite. I first learned of it at age 13 when I was into ghost towns. I was enamored by the ruins of the bank. When I first visited in 1989, I couldn't drive from Beatty to Rhyolite fast enough. You covered it really well. I have been there 6 times; there was no fencing or information stands at the time. The mine above the jail is a real mine and was the Bullfrog National Bank Mine.
Another enjoyable video. Your voice, the soundtrack, and topics like this, often leave me melancholic thinking about people past and the good and bad times they experienced. I love them all.
I really appreciated this video, Steve! I visited Rhyolite years ago before or after a visit to nearby Death Valley. I didn't realize just how many ruins are still there, as I only saw about 25% of what you showed us--and I never got out of my car. Thanks to you, I want to go back and see more! It really is a cool place. I remember seeing the bottle house. I never knew much about the history of the town, so thanks for that as it was very interesting hearing about it. Amazing how big it was in its brief hay day. How deflated the residents must have felt when in a few years the whole enterprise (which must have seemed so promising) just completely crumbled. I do hope to return now that your video has rekindled my interest in Rhyolite. It's true that it's a photographer's paradise--especially with the scenery of the Mojave Desert in the background under those stunning sunny and blue skies! Thanks Steve!
Great history again Steve! I remember the bottle house vividly from back in the early 70's as a kid out exploring the Death Valley area with the family. Thanks for bringing back good memories!
I love your videos. They are well made, documented and kind of soothing in a way. Also, what’s top notch is to see an American caring for history. That’s a rare feat. Kudos from France!
My wife and visited Rhiolyte in 2011. No other visitors but there was a guy staying in an RV near the bottle house as a seasonal historian. I think he was with the Park Service in some capacity but could be wrong. Anyway, great video. Brings back a lot of good memories of our treks out of Las Vegas to the remote areas of Nevada.
I never even knew about this town. I love history and you cover so much. I really dig this channel. Thank you so much for all that you do and bring to your viewers you’re appreciated.😊
Thank you for the informative video. I'm glad to see Rhyolite in the daylight. In 2003, my 13 year old son and I payed a visit to Rhyolite in the dark. We had toured Scotty's Castle and were on our way to Tonopah when we spotted Rhyolite. I couldn't pass it up. We didn't spend much time there, but with the sparse lighting, it was a very eerie visit.
Excellent video report about Rhyolite's history. Pleasant background music and your calm voice made watching and listening a pleasure. Thank you! For three years, 1973-1976, my husband, our toddler daughter, and I lived in Beatty. We loved living there even with few friends our age (mid-twenties). We studied with a spiritual teacher, Larry Shine, and his wife Millie. I worked at the Exchange Club in Beatty. My husband worked at Teneco Mines as an electrician. We explored the area extensively when not working. Love for the Nevada desert and Death Valley has never left my heart. Another video (Wonderhussy Adventures) shows big changes ahead for Beatty. Not sure that sets well with me as I would love to see Beatty remain the small friendly town it still is. The quiet, barren, natural beauty of Nevada's deserts and mountains must remain intact and continue to. inspire all residents and visitors.
This is my favorite video to-date. I live in Pittsburgh, PA but have been to Rhyolite twice. I even wrote a sci-fi book about 13 years ago and Rhyolite is mentioned a few times (though I have since moved on to write sports history and abandon fiction). Thanks for making my afternoon.
Passed through Rhyolite about 4 times going back and forth between Beatty, NV through Death Valley to the eastern Sierra Nevadas. This history makes it infinitely more rich. Thanks!
As always you provide a class act ,covering whatever you decide to bring to us . Thanks again Steve , for sharing this one with everyone. Stay safe out there , & Happy Holidays to you & your family. 😎👍
Last year after seeing this video my daughter and I drove out to visit Rhyolite. We had a blast. We parked at the bottom at the bottle house then walked the rest of the way up to the train depot then around to the red-light district, then out to the mine. it took us around 2 hours, reading the material, and talking about the ruins as we visited each one. Many people drove through with their phone camera sticking out the car window, I didn't understand that because you miss the experience and a lot of the site is not on a paved road but, to each their own. I highly recommend a visit here. Thanks Steve.
Great story telling work with your drone. Really gives the viewer of your video the big picture while you work through some of the details. Thanks for creating and posting!
My husband and I visited this town in Spring 2024. It was well worth the visit. I wished we saw everything you had to show. Thanks for all the information about Rhyolit
I remember years ago leaving Death Valley toward Beatty and noticing the ruins from the main road, so obviously I had to visit. That old bank building is incredibly striking. I also really like that art installation just south of the townsite with those ghostly figures and bicycles.
Yeah, the art is pretty interesting. They have signs up asking not to film without permission, so I didn't include it in this, but worth stopping at for sure.
There is no other chanel that gives history lessions on places like you do steve, you keep me captivated, and the hummer at that. keep the adventures coming.
I was to Death Valley and camped overnight in the overflow camping for Thanksgiving 1978 an remember going threw several towns like Borax and another well known town and passing the sign for Ryolite on the hwy, I can't imagine certain businesses building places when you say signs of the town starting to die. It's so desolate out there never would have thought such a booming place would Pop up. Thanks for the great history lesson, always like to find out new stuff.
Good one, never heard of it! I didn’t know about Bottle Houses either - how cool is that? Charles Schwab … love how history crosses over. Love your sense of irony about Mabel and the boys, I won’t call it tongue in cheek lol. Amazing to juxtapose the pics of 4th of July then, and the matching ruins now.
Good, well-organized material. I visited Rhyolite a few years ago and learned a few facts about the building from this vid that I didn't know. Very good effort!
My wife and I stayed at Furnace Creek Ranch in the early 1990's. We took day trips going hiking, to Scotty's Castle, and also Rhyolite. We checked out the ruins in town, and then headed up to a mine tunnel opening part way up a hill, that we spotted with binoculars. We went into the mine and followed a few tunnels until they came to dead ends. There was also an incline shaft heading to lower levels, but it had extensive damage and wasn't safe to explore. Had a great time.
10 місяців тому
I briefly visited this place in 2020 when I was on a road trip through Nevada to Lake Tahoe. We stayed overnight in Beaty. Unfortunately, my two daughters had no interest in ghost towns and wouldn't even get out of the car. I did take several photos and walked around a little. Your in-depth look filled in some of the gaps I was not able to experience.
Steve, this is the first of your videos I've watched. I'm very impressed by your very professional ability to tell a story. Everything about the video was great: the story & its pace, the videography, and the editing. I'm happy to subscribe and looking forward to seeing & learning from more of your content. Great to see you've already posted 209 videos. I'm sure I'll be entertained & informed. Thanks and greetings from Canada!
Really nice history - thank you. Rhyolite doesn't even seem to fit into the classification of "Boom town". It was like someone took a deep breath, built a town, and by the time he exhaled it was gone. There was a legit gold discovery that was decently productive, but the hype and speculation (and downright greed) was far greater than the imagined el dorado.
I was there a few years ago with my family. They literally planned this to be a 1 hour stop. To see all the stuff in and just outside of the town would take all day, so if you plan to go there plan it as a full-day expedition. It's worth it. 🤠
I lived in Las Vegas 1997 to 2003 and frequently went to Rhylolite just to get away for a day trip, or to take out of town visitors. You were uncertain if the mine entrance you saw was real or just for tourists --- it is real. There are several other mine entrances scattered throughout the immediate area. When I was living there, there was a caution sign as you drove into the town to watch for mines and not to enter, and the ones that were visible, including the one you filmed, had red caution signs posted at the entrances and most of the time the entrances were obstructed with timbers or old equipment and mining debris to thwart off entry. A lot of work has been done to the town since I was there; the historical markers bearing information about each structure are new to me, as well as part of the Bottle House restoration appears to have been new stucco/concrete added around the bottles (it was in serious need of restoration when I saw it last). Nice to see that the park system has invested money into this historical site.
I've visited Rhyolite at least 4-5 timesimes. Once in '75 on our very first motorcycle tour. I honestly don't remember a lot about it from then. We visited again on the bike in '78 and the train station was open. There was a very old woman managing the museum then, and appreciative of someone to talk to. The museum was in a relatively small room which contained mostly day to day objects that families used. I visited again in 2007. The train station was closed and fenced off as you've shown it. Honestly, I always enjoyed the visits, but I learned more substantial info from this video. Well done as always. Haven't checked your list yet, but if you haven't done Titus Cyn and Leadfield, that could be an interesting video.
Thanks for this awesome video. The last time I went to Rhyolite was in 2005, and seeing this video it seems so much has changed. I see more fences around some of the buildings and the railroad car. One building close to the glass bottle house is no more! Even then, it's such an intriguing place in the desert. I live only 4 hours away, must visit again soon.
Have been here a few times as part of Death Valley travels. Great and interesting ghost town. Beautifully quiet and serene location with lots of historical significance.
Steve, I am not sure if I have ever commented on any of your videos but I can say I have watched quite a few of your videos and I certainly enjoy your travels. I know that you put a lot of work into your videos and it shows in the quality of the videos. Take care
Nice to see you in Nevada. You might consider a trip to the ghost town of Aurora, NV. At one time it was embroiled in a dispute over whether it was part of California or in Nevada territory. As I understand it, before the border dispute was settled, the town was the seat of Mono County, CA, but many residents wanted Nevada territory as their residence. Supposedly they even had official offices for each state in the town. Now that's some story.
Id like to get out there, would just need to make a special trip since its so far from everything. The last time I was at Bodie I asked about the road down to Aurora from there and they said it's only passable by horse at this point,, so the road from Nevada it is lol
@@SidetrackAdventures I see. There were no horse rentals nearby I guess. Everytime we go up to the Sierras, we stop by a horse ranch and rent a couple of horses, haha.
They have signs up saying not to film them without permission because they are copyrighted so I just left them out. I posted a pic of one on Instagram though.
Another good video my friend ! There are other people like me out there I would rather be back then rather then today ! THANK you Frank from Montana.......
I live in Las Vegas and have visited Rhyolite twice. The Goldwell Open Air Museum is pretty cool, especially the ghostly figures of “The Last Supper.” Somewhere I read Nevada has more abandoned towns than populated towns. These towns popped up where precious metal mines were sunk and several years later when the mines petered out the towns dried up too.
In the short 15 minutes of this video I learned more than watching hours of videos of other vlogers about this town. You are my favorite historical vloger.
Thank you. I really appreciate it.
I first went to Rhyolite in the very early '70's as a 10 year old kid with my Dad and my brother. A few years later, as a teen, I "accidentally" opened a Penthouse magazine and looked at a layout of a young lady posing in the ruins of Rhyolite, with one memorable photo being of her standing in the second story window of the Cook Bank Building. 😀 I was there again about 10 years ago; the art and sculpture that was there gave the place a completely different vibe. Thanks for the great video, Steve.
See, who says magazines can't teach you about history? 🤣
Strictly had that magazine for the articles 😅
@@gregoryguillen2717I always got it for the pictures
Haha "accidentally". Imagine if some other tourists showed up while that shoot was going on.
so there was still a floor on the 2nd story then? You should link the photo, purely for research!
Not sure why you only have 120K followers. Some of the best content on UA-cam. Thanks for sharing.
I first saw Rhyolite in the early 1970's--- the train station was open and a museum.... the bottle house was too, and I and friends spent the afternoon exploring what was left of the town. Returning 20 years later - so much was gone - the station closed and boarded up. But I have my memories......
I was about 14 when my grandfather showed me a beautiful greenish-gold hunk of rock about the size of his fist that sparkled all over and he told me that his Dad, my GGF was a young man working at the Bullfrog Mine, living in Beaty when he slipped that rock into his pocket as a souvenir of his time there. He's been gone for years now and I'm an old man myself but I'm always reminded of how hard those "Old Timers" had to work in those days. After Rhyolite my GGF went to the No Cal Coast and made a living cutting redwood railroad ties with saws and axes for 5 cents each.
Rhyolite has such an overwhelming sense of melancholy. To look at the old photos of it in heyday, in comparison to today is so sad. One can't help but think of the men, women, and children that lived there. The hustle and bustle of the residents going about their daily routines. The loves won and lost. The sounds of a busy city, voices and laughter, the train whistles, children playing, the occasional barking dog, now silent. No one lives there now but the ghosts of the past. Thank you for making this video.
Jack
It's sad to me, also. There's no telling the stories that could be told about life there. At least, they weren't too puritanical as they didn't set fire to the "red light district". Have never heard of a male brothel out there back in those days. Have never heard of a woman being arrested for a peeping Jane.
Westmorland was my mother's cousin, black sheep of the family. He willed his Rhyolite holdings to his sister Freddie. They were from Atlanta, children of strict Baptist minister. Freddie lived in the depot and ran a little museum and gift shop when we visited.
I went to the town with a group of friends on a motorcycle ride in 2008. Hard to imagine a boom and bust town of this size that ended so quickly. A fascinating piece of history from the old west. Great video Steve. I always enjoy all the information that you research in making your videos.
Yeah. For a couple of years they must have thought this place was the next big thing.
@@SidetrackAdventuresBrrr r🥶
Lived in Beatty for approximately two to three years.... Spooky vibes there... No matter the time of day....I think I would choose to NOT visit against all persistent persuaders....🤠
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I honestly envy the fact that you’re traveling to all these wild destinations especially here in the US. Once the kids get a little bit older I plan to travel a little more like I used but seeing all these places you’re sharing with us is really inspiring. Thank you man 🤜🏼
Very clear photography. Depth of field is amazing. Good work!
I love your small history lessons and style of investigative journalism.
The volume of the music is perfect!
Back in the mid-80s I lived in Nevada and visited the Ghosttowns every weekend. It was at that time when an individual named James Spencer purchased the entire town. Imagine my surprise when I stopped by the townsite one beautiful afternoon and there was Mr. Spencer, walking the grounds. A guy in his 40s, he was friendly and we had an extensive conversation. He was stunned when I told him my grandfather's name was James Spencer (no relation-that I know of). Anyways, he ended up selling the town just a few years later.
Interesting that such a large down disappeared so quickly. It's so odd to hear of famous historical figures being effected by economic downturns. I used to work in Downtown San Diego, often walking down to the Gaslamp Quarter and the remaining bit of China Town. I was surprised to learn that Wyatt Earp used to own land in the area that used to be called the Stingeree, but sold it at a loss due to a financial crash in the 1890s. So many great stories, Steve! Thanks for all your great research.
A busy, somewhat stressful day, and then I watched this.
Thank you Steve. You are a gentleman.
I have been to Rhyolite so many times and knew little of the history. Being from Las Vegas I would take all of my out of town friends to Death Valley and Rhyolite. None of them were ever disappointed. I used to go to Furness Creek in the middle of summer to enjoy the heat. I grew up in Havasu. If I have shade and water I'm okay. Thanks Steve.
I've been in LHC since '86 when it used to be fun to live here.
@@SmittyAZ 1965 when the lake was full of trees. I do miss it when only a few of us had the lake to ourselves.
Just visited this area from Vegas. Death Valley is amazing. The views and landscape is nothing short of astonishing. I also really enjoyed Rhyolite.
I spent a LOT of time in Rhyolite - as I volunteered often to restore some of the pieces at the Goldwell Open Air Museum (Nextdoor neighbor). This town's history has always been so interesting to me. Thanks for doing this video.
I enjoyed the Open Air Museum, I appreciate the work of volunteers to make it available.
I was in a grocery store in Escondido while paying at the human cashier check-out and noticed her child about your son's age wearing a SD hat, so I told her about you, and your UA-cam channel..I hope that leads to another subscriber to Sidetrack Adventures, because you deserve it my man.
Great video as always. 👍
Thank you, I appreciate it.
Another 11plus video! We visited Rhyolite on trips to Death Valley in the 80s and 90s in our 84 Land Cruiser and a dome tent for shelter. We remember the bottle house and the bank building, but of course did not have the drone's eye view. We are in our 70s now so we appreciate this great exploration of our memories.
You did an extensive visit. Hit all the highlights. Good job. One of your best.
Much appreciated!
I've been to Rhyolite numerous times and I took many friends there and always tried to make them understand the history of the place. Rhyolites' short span of booming days is a unique mirror of longer spans of larger civilisations... Built on dreams and expectations and destroyed by a lack of faith into the the very own aspirations. As of today there's still mining going on in the area - and on a much larger scale than ever before. But people chosed to leave back in the 1910th's because they were told that the mines had played out. They didn't even check whether this was true or not. They just gave up, moved away and left everything behind they'd been working for so hard.
This is where we're at a whole, as the Western civilization, right now at this time. We're being told that we're wrong and we need to get rid of everything our ancestors and we've been working for - just because someone says so...
Exactly. You are on point.
🎯
You put together some of the best videos!! One thing is wonderful bout your videos is when you are walking you hear your voice as to what you are talking bout not the sound of your feet crunching. Well done!!
I kept my promise! I said this video is too good not to watch again! I watched it again in its entirety. One of your best Steve , Thanks!
Hi Steve, another great video as always, amazing that Rhyolite only lasted for such a short time considering the investment in infrastructure. All the very best from Australia.
Man just like everyone else says , I love your channel. You have a special something about your videos, the presentation the music, the way you speak, simply your enthusiasm for what you are doing. I very much appreciate the work you put in. Thankyou for the escape you provide.
Wow! You are really the best example of the new historian.
You research, and then bring history to life.
Great videos!!!!
This was an excellent video on Rhyolite. I first learned of it at age 13 when I was into ghost towns. I was enamored by the ruins of the bank. When I first visited in 1989, I couldn't drive from Beatty to Rhyolite fast enough. You covered it really well. I have been there 6 times; there was no fencing or information stands at the time. The mine above the jail is a real mine and was the Bullfrog National Bank Mine.
Another enjoyable video. Your voice, the soundtrack, and topics like this, often leave me melancholic thinking about people past and the good and bad times they experienced. I love them all.
I really appreciated this video, Steve! I visited Rhyolite years ago before or after a visit to nearby Death Valley. I didn't realize just how many ruins are still there, as I only saw about 25% of what you showed us--and I never got out of my car. Thanks to you, I want to go back and see more! It really is a cool place. I remember seeing the bottle house. I never knew much about the history of the town, so thanks for that as it was very interesting hearing about it. Amazing how big it was in its brief hay day. How deflated the residents must have felt when in a few years the whole enterprise (which must have seemed so promising) just completely crumbled. I do hope to return now that your video has rekindled my interest in Rhyolite. It's true that it's a photographer's paradise--especially with the scenery of the Mojave Desert in the background under those stunning sunny and blue skies! Thanks Steve!
Great history again Steve! I remember the bottle house vividly from back in the early 70's as a kid out exploring the Death Valley area with the family. Thanks for bringing back good memories!
Best video about Rhyolite, NV ever created.
I love your videos. They are well made, documented and kind of soothing in a way. Also, what’s top notch is to see an American caring for history. That’s a rare feat. Kudos from France!
Thanks for including the Bottle House... Been there...😊
Very informative, very well shot, very well presented, a good channel
Awesome history of a town that died so quickly. Good job of narrative of it. I enjoyed it because I love history.
My wife and visited Rhiolyte in 2011. No other visitors but there was a guy staying in an RV near the bottle house as a seasonal historian. I think he was with the Park Service in some capacity but could be wrong. Anyway, great video. Brings back a lot of good memories of our treks out of Las Vegas to the remote areas of Nevada.
I never even knew about this town. I love history and you cover so much. I really dig this channel. Thank you so much for all that you do and bring to your viewers you’re appreciated.😊
Thank you for the informative video. I'm glad to see Rhyolite in the daylight. In 2003, my 13 year old son and I payed a visit to Rhyolite in the dark. We had toured Scotty's Castle and were on our way to Tonopah when we spotted Rhyolite. I couldn't pass it up. We didn't spend much time there, but with the sparse lighting, it was a very eerie visit.
Excellent video report about Rhyolite's history. Pleasant background music and your calm voice made watching and listening a pleasure. Thank you! For three years, 1973-1976, my husband, our toddler daughter, and I lived in Beatty. We loved living there even with few friends our age (mid-twenties). We studied with a spiritual teacher, Larry Shine, and his wife Millie. I worked at the Exchange Club in Beatty. My husband worked at Teneco Mines as an electrician. We explored the area extensively when not working. Love for the Nevada desert and Death Valley has never left my heart. Another video (Wonderhussy Adventures) shows big changes ahead for Beatty. Not sure that sets well with me as I would love to see Beatty remain the small friendly town it still is. The quiet, barren, natural beauty of Nevada's deserts and mountains must remain intact and continue to. inspire all residents and visitors.
This is my favorite video to-date. I live in Pittsburgh, PA but have been to Rhyolite twice. I even wrote a sci-fi book about 13 years ago and Rhyolite is mentioned a few times (though I have since moved on to write sports history and abandon fiction). Thanks for making my afternoon.
You really do great work and are of great character too. Taking care of the pup in Salton Sea...!👍👍👍 Good on you brother!
Passed through Rhyolite about 4 times going back and forth between Beatty, NV through Death Valley to the eastern Sierra Nevadas.
This history makes it infinitely more rich. Thanks!
As always you provide a class act ,covering whatever you decide to bring to us . Thanks again Steve , for sharing this one with everyone. Stay safe out there , & Happy Holidays to you & your family. 😎👍
Last year after seeing this video my daughter and I drove out to visit Rhyolite. We had a blast. We parked at the bottom at the bottle house then walked the rest of the way up to the train depot then around to the red-light district, then out to the mine. it took us around 2 hours, reading the material, and talking about the ruins as we visited each one. Many people drove through with their phone camera sticking out the car window, I didn't understand that because you miss the experience and a lot of the site is not on a paved road but, to each their own. I highly recommend a visit here. Thanks Steve.
I'm glad you were able to enjoy the site! Sounds like you did it right.
Great story telling work with your drone. Really gives the viewer of your video the big picture while you work through some of the details. Thanks for creating and posting!
I turned up my heat a bit as I watched to get the full effect, since here in Connecticut its about 32 . Great Video !
My husband and I visited this town in Spring 2024. It was well worth the visit. I wished we saw everything you had to show. Thanks for all the information about Rhyolit
Always interesting touring old ghost town ruins and imagining what they were in the hay day.
Yeah. Its hard to believe how big this town was.
I remember years ago leaving Death Valley toward Beatty and noticing the ruins from the main road, so obviously I had to visit. That old bank building is incredibly striking. I also really like that art installation just south of the townsite with those ghostly figures and bicycles.
Yeah, the art is pretty interesting. They have signs up asking not to film without permission, so I didn't include it in this, but worth stopping at for sure.
Abandoned wild west towns like this one are so cool! Great video!
Always a good watch!!! Many thanks
I really enjoy your videos and learn quite a bit about
places that are just a few hours drive from me.
There is no other chanel that gives history lessions on places like you do steve, you keep me captivated, and the hummer at that. keep the adventures coming.
Thank you, I appreciate it.
Hey Steve - always enjoy the videos and complete history. It's awesome you can travel and bring all this content to us.
I have watched many of your videos. great job and thank you.
I was to Death Valley and camped overnight in the overflow camping for Thanksgiving 1978 an remember going threw several towns like Borax and another well known town and passing the sign for Ryolite on the hwy, I can't imagine certain businesses building places when you say signs of the town starting to die. It's so desolate out there never would have thought such a booming place would Pop up. Thanks for the great history lesson, always like to find out new stuff.
Good one, never heard of it!
I didn’t know about Bottle Houses either - how cool is that?
Charles Schwab … love how history crosses over.
Love your sense of irony about Mabel and the boys, I won’t call it tongue in cheek lol.
Amazing to juxtapose the pics of 4th of July then, and the matching ruins now.
Hey Steve. I recently found your channel, subscribed and am now binging on your content. Thanks for the excellent videos! ❤
Thanks for making this documentary. Along with the narration, this is professional craftsmanship. Such talent to put this together.
Nicely done Steve!
Keep up the great videos Steve, your research and calm delivery of information is a joy to listen to!
Awesome historical research, very interesting. Well Done!
Good, well-organized material. I visited Rhyolite a few years ago and learned a few facts about the building from this vid that I didn't know. Very good effort!
Have visited here many times since the 60s. Just visited again a couple weeks ago and introduced my granddaughter to the history. Great job as usual👍
My two daughters wouldn't get out of the car - glued to their cell-phones.
My wife and I stayed at Furnace Creek Ranch in the early 1990's. We took day trips going hiking, to Scotty's Castle, and also Rhyolite.
We checked out the ruins in town, and then headed up to a mine tunnel opening part way up a hill, that we spotted with binoculars. We went into the mine and followed a few tunnels until they came to dead ends. There was also an incline shaft heading to lower levels, but it had extensive damage and wasn't safe to explore. Had a great time.
I briefly visited this place in 2020 when I was on a road trip through Nevada to Lake Tahoe. We stayed overnight in Beaty. Unfortunately, my two daughters had no interest in ghost towns and wouldn't even get out of the car. I did take several photos and walked around a little. Your in-depth look filled in some of the gaps I was not able to experience.
Steve, this is the first of your videos I've watched. I'm very impressed by your very professional ability to tell a story. Everything about the video was great: the story & its pace, the videography, and the editing. I'm happy to subscribe and looking forward to seeing & learning from more of your content. Great to see you've already posted 209 videos. I'm sure I'll be entertained & informed. Thanks and greetings from Canada!
Really nice history - thank you. Rhyolite doesn't even seem to fit into the classification of "Boom town". It was like someone took a deep breath, built a town, and by the time he exhaled it was gone. There was a legit gold discovery that was decently productive, but the hype and speculation (and downright greed) was far greater than the imagined el dorado.
Sort of a burp rather than a boom.
I was there a few years ago with my family. They literally planned this to be a 1 hour stop.
To see all the stuff in and just outside of the town would take all day, so if you plan to go there plan it as a full-day expedition. It's worth it. 🤠
I lived in Las Vegas 1997 to 2003 and frequently went to Rhylolite just to get away for a day trip, or to take out of town visitors. You were uncertain if the mine entrance you saw was real or just for tourists --- it is real. There are several other mine entrances scattered throughout the immediate area. When I was living there, there was a caution sign as you drove into the town to watch for mines and not to enter, and the ones that were visible, including the one you filmed, had red caution signs posted at the entrances and most of the time the entrances were obstructed with timbers or old equipment and mining debris to thwart off entry. A lot of work has been done to the town since I was there; the historical markers bearing information about each structure are new to me, as well as part of the Bottle House restoration appears to have been new stucco/concrete added around the bottles (it was in serious need of restoration when I saw it last). Nice to see that the park system has invested money into this historical site.
I've visited Rhyolite at least 4-5 timesimes. Once in '75 on our very first motorcycle tour. I honestly don't remember a lot about it from then. We visited again on the bike in '78 and the train station was open. There was a very old woman managing the museum then, and appreciative of someone to talk to. The museum was in a relatively small room which contained mostly day to day objects that families used. I visited again in 2007. The train station was closed and fenced off as you've shown it. Honestly, I always enjoyed the visits, but I learned more substantial info from this video. Well done as always.
Haven't checked your list yet, but if you haven't done Titus Cyn and Leadfield, that could be an interesting video.
Thanks for this awesome video. The last time I went to Rhyolite was in 2005, and seeing this video it seems so much has changed. I see more fences around some of the buildings and the railroad car. One building close to the glass bottle house is no more! Even then, it's such an intriguing place in the desert. I live only 4 hours away, must visit again soon.
You make me laugh, Steve. I love your dialogue and sense of humor.. thanks again for another great video.
Great video Steve!! Been to Rhyolite a 7-8 times, my son and I explored our first mine there and been exploring old ghost towns and mines ever since!
This is a legit channel! Wow!
Visited in 2008, still have pictures we took. learned a lot by your video, thanks for sharing.
This video is one of your best, Thank you.
Thank you.
Thank you, your description was very thorough. You did a great deal of research, it is appreciated
Best regards.
Bill.
Have been here a few times as part of Death Valley travels. Great and interesting ghost town. Beautifully quiet and serene location with lots of historical significance.
Thanks for another awesome adventure, well researched, filmed and edited, Steve, Merry Christmas and an awesome New Year to you and yours 🎄🍹
Thank you, Merry Christmas to you as well.
Steve you are best with your narrative...taking me to places I might never go!
As a retired Mining engineer I found this most interesting. Thanks.
That is a great tour of this town . Thanks for making it …❤
Thanks Steve as usual you're a wealth of information & unusual tidbits of history, I'm always surprised at how much you can dig on your places.😊
Once again, great stuff! You never disappoint 😎
Yes. Went to Rhyolite Nevada 2 weeks ago. It was cool to see in person and is worth the drive from vegas
Steve, I am not sure if I have ever commented on any of your videos but I can say I have watched quite a few of your videos and I certainly enjoy your travels. I know that you put a lot of work into your videos and it shows in the quality of the videos. Take care
Thank you, I appreciate it.
Very nice video.
Another great informative video Steve. Outstanding work!
One of the best videos I have seen in a long time.
Another great story with terrific scenery!! Your videos save me a lot in fuel! 😂 Thanks, Steve! Safe travels!👍
Nice to see you in Nevada. You might consider a trip to the ghost town of Aurora, NV. At one time it was embroiled in a dispute over whether it was part of California or in Nevada territory. As I understand it, before the border dispute was settled, the town was the seat of Mono County, CA, but many residents wanted Nevada territory as their residence. Supposedly they even had official offices for each state in the town. Now that's some story.
Id like to get out there, would just need to make a special trip since its so far from everything. The last time I was at Bodie I asked about the road down to Aurora from there and they said it's only passable by horse at this point,, so the road from Nevada it is lol
@@SidetrackAdventures I see. There were no horse rentals nearby I guess. Everytime we go up to the Sierras, we stop by a horse ranch and rent a couple of horses, haha.
Very good coverage. Much appreciated
Thank you for sharing this bit of interesting history! Very much will love to visit some day!
I visited Ryolite in 2019. My favorite part was the statues at the beginning of the main street. Was really hoping you were going to show them.
They have signs up saying not to film them without permission because they are copyrighted so I just left them out. I posted a pic of one on Instagram though.
Another good video my friend ! There are other people like me out there I would rather be back then rather then today ! THANK you Frank from Montana.......
I live in Las Vegas and have visited Rhyolite twice. The Goldwell Open Air Museum is pretty cool, especially the ghostly figures of “The Last Supper.” Somewhere I read Nevada has more abandoned towns than populated towns. These towns popped up where precious metal mines were sunk and several years later when the mines petered out the towns dried up too.
Thanks for the video. And all the great information
Wow! That was amazing. That bottle house looked like it was really cute in its heyday. To think so many people lived in such a now desolate area!
You are wonderful.. thanks for taking us to places we would never get to . ❤love you and the Trek planner .. you guys are lengends!!😊😮❤❤😊😊 1:19