Jim Butler, a rancher from Belmont, was tracking his strayed burro when he made the discovery on May 19, 1900, that set off the stampede to Tonopah. Thus began a wild mining boom in Nevada that ended a 20-year slump. Tonopah soon became the most important gold-silver producer in the nation. It replaced aging Belmont as county seat in 1904, had railroads, several huge mills and a bustling population of thousands.

The mines faltered in the 20's, but Tonopah has achieved permanent fame for the many prominent Nevada leaders it produced and for the brilliant cluster of nearby mining districts it brought into being.

Notes on this marker:

Tonopah's another town that we always end up at. Great place for lunch while on the road.