Gerlach

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aerial photograph of Gerlach Nevada taken by Tazameir


Gerlach is named for Gerlach Land and Livestock Company from the Gerlach and Waltz Ranch, owned by Louis Gerlach. The town was settled in 1906 when the Western Pacific Railroad was built. The Gerlach Post Office was created on October 9, 1909.

Gerlach NV is at Highway 447 mile marker 75, and is 103 miles from Reno. Highway 447 was formerly known as Highway 34.

Population

The population over the years.

  • 1910: population 199 (Salt Marsh township). Source: "Nevada Place Names Populations 1860-2000."
  • 1920: population 450 (Gerlach township. Note: Gerlach township changed from Salt Marsh in 1928). Source: United States. Bureau of the Census, "Population, Volume 1," p. 697, 1931.
  • Reno, Washoe Cty, Nevada 1920-21 City Directory Page 232
    • American Railway Express Co, G O Cornish agt
    • Butler W F Scott, soft drinks
    • Cornish G O, agt W Pac Ry, Am Ry Exp, Mgr W U Tel
    • Dalton W E, postmaster, Gen mdse
    • Donnelly Mountain Mining Co
    • Howard J H, gen mdse
    • Melvin L A, barber
    • Moffat Bert, soft drinks
    • Morrison, W K, soft drinks
    • Murdock, Wm S, gen mdse
    • Myatta M. Indy
    • Nelson Al, barber
    • Ostrander J M, soft drinks
    • Piney Frank, restaurant
    • Sartain A R, trucker
    • Strong W R, soft drinks
    • Tohoquo Mining Co.
    • Webster C R, soft drinks
    • Western Pacific Ry, G O Cornish agt
    • Western Union Telegraph Co, GO Cornish agt
    • Woods, E A, livery
  • 1930: population 441 (Gerlach twp.). Source: United States. Bureau of the Census , "Census of Population: 1950: Number of inhabitants", p.28-6.
  • Washoe County, Nevada 1936 Tax List Page 015
    • Gerlach & Waltz: Real Estate: $110, Personal: $1200
    • Gerlach Livestock Co.: Real Estate: $18435, Improvements: $250, Personal: $2780
    • Gregory, Lewis: Real Estate: $650, Improvements: $250
    • Hughes, Henry: Real Estate: $50, Improvements: $250
    • Johnson, S. H: Real Estate: $615, Improvements: $250
    • Schmitt, Leo F. Receiver: Real Estate: $2095
    • Vener Est., Ella E.: Real Estate: $120, Improvements: $150
    • Western Pacific Ry. Co.: Real Estate: $1065
  • 1940, population 417. Source: Federal Writers' Project, Nevada: A Guide to the Silver State,"
  • 1940: population 448 (Gerlach twp.). Source: United States. Bureau of the Census , "Census of Population: 1950: Number of inhabitants", p.28-6.
  • 1950: population 535 (Gerlach twp.). Source: United States. Bureau of the Census , "Census of Population: 1950: Number of inhabitants", p.28-6.
  • 1960: population 1,141 (Gerlach twp. Note: Duck Lake twp annexed to Gerlach twp prior to 1950, but reported separately in 1950. Duck Lake had a population of 5 in 1950.) Source: "Census of Population: 1960," p. 30-8.
  • 1975, Joe Ugalde quoted as saying that there are 75 people in town and 200 in Empire.

References

Situated between Black Rock Desert on the east and Smoke Creek Desert on the west, the townsite of Gerlach lies in country long occupied by prehistoric man. John C. Frémont traveled through Northern Paiute Indian lands when he camped here in 1843 and named "Boiling Springs" 1/4 mile north of town. This was also emigrant country; the Noble Road left the Applegate-Lassen Trail at Black Rock Springs, went past this site and southward through Smoke Creek Desert toward Susanville. The town was established when the Western Pacific Railroad was constructed in Nevada 1905-1909. It still functions as a railroad division headquarters.

Gerlach—A town on the Western Pacific Railway, 125 miles northeast of Reno, 438 miles northeast of San Francisco, 483 miles west of Salt Lake City, 94 miles west of Winnemucca, Nev. ; railroad division point. Stages from this town to Eaglesville, Cedarville, Bidwell-Modoc Co., California. Population, 500. Has express, Western Union telegraph, hotels, several stores, school house. Shipping point for many towns north and west.

  • Reno Evening Gazette, February 11, 1965, "Water System Study Set," p. 22. - Feasibility study for Gerlach to own and maintain its own water system.
  • Reno Evening Gazette, September 8, 1965, "Little Gerlach Faces a Big Problem," p. 16. Western Pacific Railroad, which owns the land, wants to sell. There are about 35 to 40 people leasing land.
  • New York Times, August 17, 1975, "Railroad sells town in Nevada for $18,000". Papers were signed that week. 219 acres and the water system were sold.
  • Residents buy town, August 16, 1975, Victoria Advocate. Joe Ugalde quoted.

Resources

See Also

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