Goodsprings, NV.
Goodsprings, Nevada, began in 1868 when cattleman Joseph Good discovered a series of natural springs at the base of the Spring Mountains. The location quickly became known as Good’s Springs and attracted early prospectors searching for silver and lead. These small camps laid the foundation for one of southern Nevada’s most productive mining areas outside of the Comstock region.
By the 1880s, a few permanent structures had been built, including the Campbell Stone Cabin in 1886, constructed by A. G. Campbell, Jonas Taylor, and William Smith. This stone dwelling is the oldest surviving building in Goodsprings and one of the earliest in Clark County. The area’s mineral potential continued to draw attention, and by the 1890s, Goodsprings was recognized as part of the Yellow Pine Mining District.
In 1899, the establishment of a post office officially gave the settlement its name, “Goodsprings.” Mining intensified after 1900 when rich deposits of lead, zinc, copper, and gold were found nearby. By 1909, the Yellow Pine Mining Company consolidated several claims, ushering in a period of prosperity. The construction of the Yellow Pine Railroad in 1911 connected Goodsprings with Jean and the Union Pacific main line, allowing efficient shipment of ore and supplies.
The town’s population climbed to more than 800 by 1915. Civic life flourished with the construction of a school, a community club, and several businesses. In 1913, the Pioneer Saloon and the Goodsprings General Store were built from pressed tin ordered through Sears, Roebuck & Co. The Community Church, erected the same year, became one of the first in Clark County. Together, these buildings gave Goodsprings a strong sense of permanence uncommon among desert mining towns.
Mining peaked during World War I when demand for zinc and lead surged. After 1920, production began to decline, and many residents left as the ore ran out. The Great Depression years saw limited activity, but Goodsprings never completely vanished. In 1942, the crash of actress Carole Lombard’s plane on nearby Mount Potosi brought temporary national attention to the town and its famous saloon.
Mining ended by the 1950s, leaving Goodsprings a quiet, scattered community. Some residents stayed to maintain homes, the church, and remaining businesses. By the late 20th century, interest in preservation grew. The Goodsprings Historical Society formed to safeguard the area’s heritage and to interpret its mining and pioneer history for visitors.
In 2005, restoration of the Pioneer Saloon revived tourism. The town’s unique atmosphere, historic architecture, and connection to the Mojave Desert’s early mining past made it a favored stop for travelers. In 2010, Goodsprings gained renewed recognition as the opening setting for the video game Fallout: New Vegas, drawing international attention.
Today, Goodsprings remains a small unincorporated community of fewer than 200 residents. It stands as one of the best-preserved mining towns in southern Nevada, where visitors can still see the Pioneer Saloon, the General Store, the Community Church, and the old Campbell Stone Cabin. These landmarks tell the story of a town that rose with mining, endured decline, and survived through the devotion of its people and the continuing allure of the desert landscape.
Timeline
1868 – Joseph Good discovers springs; mining camp forms.
1886 – Campbell Stone Cabin constructed.
1890s – Goodsprings recognized as part of Yellow Pine Mining District.
1899 – Post office established; town officially named Goodsprings.
1909 – Yellow Pine Mining Company consolidates claims.
1911 – Yellow Pine Railroad completed to Jean.
1913 – Pioneer Saloon, General Store, and Community Church built.
1915–1920 – Population peaks around 800; mining prosperity.
1920s – Production declines; residents begin to leave.
1930s – Small-scale mining continues.
1942 – Carole Lombard plane crash on Mount Potosi.
1950s – Mining ceases; town remains semi-inhabited.
1990s – Goodsprings Historical Society established.
2005 – Pioneer Saloon restoration draws visitors.
2010 – Town featured in Fallout: New Vegas.
2020s – Population under 200; historic preservation continues.
Goodsprings Weather
