Postcard of Candelaria (Nev.), ca 1887

Candelaria was born as a result of silver mining in the area. Silver was discovered nearby in 1863 and large scale mining began in 1873. The town-site was laid out in 1876 and soon supported saloons, stores, a newspaper, schools, and a railroad, the Carson and Colorado, which reached town in 1882. Peak population was over 1,500, recorded in 1883. The mines most prosperous years were during the 1880s, although mining continued through the 1950s with a total production of over $21,000,000. Candelaria was virtually deserted by 1940 and had become a ghost town by 1950. Large scale open pit mining began in 1977 and continued through 1996.