Pioche, Mining settlement in Lincoln County, Nevada
Pioche is a census-designated place in Lincoln County, Nevada, situated at an elevation of about 1,847 meters in mountainous southern terrain. The community spreads across roughly 1,433 square miles (3,710 sq km) and is home to about 933 residents.
Silver deposits discovered in 1864 drew settlers to this location and sparked mining development. A San Francisco financier named François Pioche purchased and developed the land in 1869, giving the settlement its name.
The Million Dollar Courthouse from 1872 and Thompson's Opera House from 1873 shape the appearance of this former mining town. These buildings stand as reminders of the community's prosperous past and continue to define its character.
The settlement is accessible via U.S. Route 93, while Nevada State Routes 321 and 322 provide direct connections to the community. Visitors should prepare for mountain terrain with winding roads and variable weather conditions typical of high elevation areas.
The early years of the settlement were marked by unusual violence, with records showing around 72 deaths from gunfights over mining disputes before a single natural death occurred. This made it one of the most dangerous frontier communities of its era.
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