The mining town was located on the west side of Bristol Mountain, 14 miles (23 km) northwest of Pioche, Nevada.

In 1872 a furnace was built to treat silver-lead ore from the Bristol Mine, 4 miles (6.4 km) to the east.

In 1878 a richer deposit was found, resulting in the construction of a stamp mill.

By 1890 a new smelter was built to treat copper ore, and the town's population reached 400.

In 1913 an aerial tramway was built to Jackrabbit, Nevada, 2 miles (3.2 km) to the northeast, where ore could be loaded on the Los Angeles and Salt Lake Railroad.