Battle Mountain
Battle Mountain was established in 1867 as a supply center for the Battle Mountain Mining District, which was in turn named for a supposed battle with Indians in 1861 (though this story is not confirmed). In 1868, the Central Pacific Railroad was constructed and Battle Mountain moved to the new line. It quickly became an important rail stop, and stage lines to Austin and other mining camps in Lander County made it a major shipping and supply point by 1870.
Through the 1870s, Battle Mountain continued to grow, gaining a number of businesses. By 1880, over 500 people lived in town and that year the new Nevada Central Railroad was completed connecting the mines at Austin to the Central Pacific. A large depot, machine shops, engine house, and 300-car siding were built to serve the new line (though the depot was destroyed by fire in March 1880). In the late 1880s, mining declined and Battle Mountain took on a new role shipping livestock.
In February 1910, a massive flood struck Battle Mountain and destroyed the rail yards and much of the Nevada Central Railroad. It took until the end of May for service to be restored. The Nevada Central continued to connect to points south until 1938. In subsequent years, Battle Mountain has continued to serve as a shipping point for livestock, and its location along the Victory Highway (and later Interstate 80) has continued to make it a popular stop for travelers. In 1979, the Lander County seat was moved to town from Austin, and today Battle Mountain with a population of over 2500 is the largest community in the county.
