Seniors Stop In Ely

I was watching the latest weather report and noted a city in northeast Nevada that I had not heard of.  Ely, with a population just under 5,000, this senior learned, is the largest city and county seat of White Pine County.

It was founded as a stagecoach station along the Pony Express and Central Overland Route. Ely’s mining boom came later than the other towns along US 50 with the discovery of copper in 1906.

The town got its name in 1878 in honor of Smith Ely, president of the Selby Copper Mining and Smelting Company. Read all about it in The Nevada Travel Network that provides a nice overview of Ely.

Senior Train Buffs And Hunters Enjoy Ely

The Ely homepage has good information for senior visitors. Check out the Annual Events portion on the site and you will find something going on all year long in Ely including the Rotary Ice Fishing Derby that takes place in January.

I did not think that Nevada had much ice, but there must be some in Ely as they also host an Ice Sculpture Competition and a Fireworks Express the same month.

Centrally located in the intermountain west, Ely is less than an hour away from Great Basin National Park. Being in the heart of the Great Basin, Ely is home to some of the most amazing big game hunting and outdoor recreational opportunities in the country.

The Nevada Northern Railway Museum is an historical site not to be missed, especially if you enjoy trains.

In Ely they cry out “All Aboard” for the Ghost Train Ride, the oldest active train in America and where senior visitors can experience the Old West first hand on the restored Nevada Northern Railway.

 Seniors Enjoy Old West Town

The Ward Charcoal Ovens State Historic Park rates highly among popular attractions in the area. The Park is known for its six beehive-shaped historic charcoal ovens used for extracting silver ore. Ely’s Central Theater is where seniors can imagine yourselves stepping back into the golden age of cinema. The famed Theater was built in the 30′s in an Art Deco style.

Take this meandering slow pace ride into Ely and note all the historic buildings and all the pickup trucks in town. So typical of an Old West town. And not just one, but four casinos where you can enjoy some Nevada gambling.

As one of Nevada’s historical landmarks, Hotel Nevada and Gambling Hall is centered in the “heart of downtown Ely” and rich in history. Built in 1929, this six-story hotel remains in its original glory. You will find that Ely is a hub of commerce, culture and community and the locals invite you to enjoy their town. -jeb