Winnemucca

Winnemucca is a city in northern Nevada serving as the seat of Humboldt County, sitting at an elevation of 4295 feet (1309 meters) in the desert. Along the main road low buildings line up in rows, while the surroundings fade into gentle brown hills.

The Central Pacific railroad reached this area in 1868 and turned a small settlement into a hub for travelers and freight. Decades later the construction of Interstate 80 brought a new wave of through traffic stopping here.

The name comes from a Northern Paiute chief whose band moved through these valleys long before European settlers arrived. Today traces of this past appear in the collections of smaller institutions, where visitors can look at tools and clothing from that era.

Most lodging and fuel stops sit close to the interstate, making it easy to pull off during long drives. Restaurants open early and close late to serve travelers at any hour.

A bank building from around the turn of the century still carries the memory of a robbery by Butch Cassidy's gang in 1900. The building remains in its original spot, recalling the days when outlaws rode through the West.

Location: Humboldt County

Elevation above the sea: 1,309 m

Website: https://winnemuccacity.org

GPS coordinates: 40.96833,-117.72667

Latest update: December 12, 2025 22:17