[2] The town largely existed to support operations at the Joe Walker Mine.

The mine quickly proved to be one of the most profitable in the area, netting $12,000 in six days and a total production over its lifetime of $600,000.

However, the mine began to flood faster than it could be pumped out, despite a Cornish engine being shipped in from England.

[3] After several changes of ownership and attempts to restart operations, ending with senator John P. Jones of Nevada in 1873, the mine was mothballed.

It was acquired by the Phoebe Hearst estate in lieu of a debt but remained unused for sixty years.