Crescent Mill is a really cool site, partially because of it’s age (from the 1860’s) and its still-standing smelter chimney.  It’s one of the earliest mill sites in all of Nevada.  This mill was used to process silver from other nearby locations.  It was originally built as a five-stamp mill in 1867 but was expanded to a ten-stamp in 1868.  From what I’ve been able to find, they extracted about $20,000 at the mill.  Major operations were suspended in 1871, but the mill operated off & on with a reduced staff for a few more years.

There are still several structures at Crescent Mill, with the most prominent being the

smelter chimney.  Most of the other structures are ruins…a few stone walls, piles of blocks and bricks, outlines of some cabins, etc.  One of the cabins is still relatively well-preserved, including remnants of the wooden, thatched and dirt roof.  You can also clearly see the long brick-lined trough coming down from the smelter’s chimney, where the tunnel is exposed in various locations.  There’s lots of old bricks, slag, piles of discarded rock, etc. scattered around, too.

If you come in from the Hiko, NV area, you can also make a side trip to the nearby ghost town of Logan.  As you work your way along Logan Pass (aka Irish Mountain Rd), you’ll come across Rosie’s Mining Cabin.  This is a beautiful drive, with some amazing views.  But, be warned: in the winter it will be snow covered and in the spring there will be a lot of melting snow runoff.  It’s a very narrow and winding mountain pass.

Please click the images below: