east ely railroad depot museum

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Rural Wranglers: Ely

One of Nevada’s oldest communities, Ely was founded in 1870 as a humble service hub for nearby mining towns. But thanks to a bit of luck and some good timing, Ely soon found itself standing on a figurative gold mine, which just happened to be copper. Ely blossomed into eastern Nevada’s largest and busiest town—a title it still holds. Visit Ely today and you’ll find plenty of its history on display. You’ll also be surrounded by some of the prettiest and most diverse country in the Silver State.
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The Loneliest Road in America

In July 1986, “Life” magazine used the term “The Loneliest Road in America” to describe the stretch of U.S. Route 50—more commonly known as Highway 50—from Fernley to Ely. AAA even advised against traveling the highway, claiming there was nothing to see. They noted that anyone crazy enough to make the journey should carry survival gear such as water and cold-weather clothes.