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Bonnie Claire
Bonnie Claire, Nevada, is one ghost town in Nye County that has a story to tell. To start off, it goes way back into the heyday of the mining industries in Nevada. Having a camp in 1904, it sprouted as a mining camp to support nearby claims of gold, silver, and copper, particularly those on the Slate Ridge area. It was founded around a stamp mill treating ores from nearby mines, hence being an important stop for miners, by the Bonnie Claire Bullfrog Mining Company, which operated several mines in the vicinity.
When Bonnie Claire was at its peak, it boasted a post office, small railroad depot, and various facilities that helped keep the mining operation going. The railroad also extended to Bonnie Claire from the Las Vegas and Tonopah Railroad, which provided a way to bring in supplies and transport ore. However, as with most mining towns, it was not to last; when the ore began to dwindle, so did the population of Bonnie Claire. When the railroad stopped service in the 1920s, the town slowly fell silent, leaving today nothing but scattered remnants and ruins.
One of the unique claims to fame for Bonnie Claire is the skeletal remains of the town's old buildings, including stone foundations and mill ruins still standing starkly as a reminder of the mining days.
