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Update: October 20, 2022
I’ve been unable to visit Goldfield lately but things seem well from a distance. A gas station was being built when I last visited but I can’t determine that it has been finished. It will be a travel plaza as it was described to be. For now, gas up in Tonopah or Beatty. Top off your tank every chance you get in rural Nevada. The next gas station might be out of fuel. One more thing: Winter. It’s coming.
Goldfield is above 5,000 feet. Nights get cold and there will be snow, sometimes lots. Bring an ice scraper for those chilly mornings if you overnight in Goldfield or Tonopah. Better yet, cover your windshield with a tarp or a blanket or an old beach towel. No more scraping. And new wiper blades. Nothing worse than trying to see through a partially covered windshield with snow and ice.
The Reno Gazette recently ran a piece on Goldfield. I found the writer’s tone and attitude disappointing. He repeatedly pointed out a lack of services in Goldfield with an utter disregard of the special life that’s led in the sage and the silence of the Great Basin,. I hurriedly wrote this response:
I’ve written extensively on Goldfield and visited many, many times. This writer has an attitude. You don’t cop an attitude in Goldfield. You smile, you wave at people when you are in town, and you act friendly.
The Dinky Diner is wonderful and you will always get good food. The owners have struggled to keep their place open in the face of this pandemic and they deserve credit. A lot of credit.
Goldfield is actually eager for you to visit and wants your support. Just don’t bring that Big City attitude. Or you’ll be seen as another condescending, judging, where’s my Starbucks? kind of guy.
That doesn’t go in Goldfield where trust and respect are still honored and people know, care, and look out for each other. There’s no rioting in Goldfield and nobody destroys another person’s property for any reason, let alone to make a political statement. If you want that, stay in the Big City.
Update: June 19, 2023
Just got back from Goldfield, the claims are open, the Dinky Diner is open, Hidden Treasures is open. The other businesses are open or trying. Bring cash, small bills. Rocks still a dollar pound, you pick-em, pay for them in town. Honor system.
The owners of Wild Inspirations mentioned below have moved on and Sharon is back in that building.
Bryan Smalley is still manning the store, ask around town if he isn’t there. Customers continue coming in. He might cut a rock for you if he isn’t too busy. Say please and tell him Thomas Farley sent you.
Bryan Cutting a Rock For Me from Thomas Farley on Vimeo.
Original article:
My second article for Rock & Gem Magazine was on the Gemfield Gem claims outside of Goldfield, Nevada. The claims are a major source of fine chalcedony. Sharon Artlip, one of the two claim owners, now has a website for the property:
http://www.gemfieldnv.com
A month ago I visited Goldfield. I couldn’t connect with Sharon, who may have been out of town Sharon no longer operates Goldfield Art & Business Services out of the store on I-95.
Update: Sharon is back at her old store! Address and phone number below:
The present owners of the new store at that location, however, will accept your registration and rock fees. Their names are Sherri and Mike. They have a nice store with some maps and some rocks. When I was there they had locally mined pyrite. Stop in and check out a new business:
Wild Inspirations
306 Crook Avenue
P.O. Box 121
Goldfield, NV 89013
775-485-3789
This is the information site at the claims.
Also, when in Goldfield, never miss a chance to check in with Bryan Smalley at Hidden Treasures Trading Company. He may be hard to find away from his store, but ask locals where Bryan is. Try the Dinky Diner. He’s well worth tracking down to visit a one-of-a-kind rock shop:
https://www.facebook.com/HiddenTreasuresTradingCo/
489 S. Bellevue Avenue
Goldfield, Nevada
775-485-3761. Honestly, I have never been able to contact him on the phone.