The valued metal was reputedly found when a Pony Express horse kicked over a rock and observers noticed the silver.

By summer 1863, Austin and the surrounding Reese River Mining District had a population of more than 10,000, mostly European Americans attracted to the silver boom.

[9] In 1864, the town launched Reuel Colt Gridley's impromptu fundraising drive that raised over $250,000 for wounded Civil War veterans, by repeatedly auctioning a sack of flour.

In the mid-1950s there was a great deal of interest in uranium deposits in the area, to fuel the emerging nuclear industry, but the ore proved to be of low quality.

The Austin silver deposits consist of numerous narrow (often only several inches in width) quartz veins hosted in monzonite rock.

Because of the added expense of this kind of processing along with the narrow veins, only high grade ores could be profitably worked in Austin.

The International Hotel, first built in Virginia City in 1859 and moved to Austin in 1863, still serves meals and drinks, but it does not rent out rooms (there is a motel across the street).

It was built in 1897 by Anson Phelps Stokes, a wealthy New York capitalist who had a financial interest in several of the local mines.

In addition to Stokes Castle and the three churches, a number of other structures in Austin are listed on the National Register of Historic Places.

Approximately 15 miles (24 km) east of Austin is a cluster of natural hot springs maintained by visitors and local volunteers.

The Hickison Petroglyph Recreation Area, 24 miles (39 km) east of Austin, features a short interpretive trail where visitors can see ancient drawings carved into the rocks.