Logan Townsite

In 1865, prospectors learned of and tried to work silver deposits on the southeast side of Mt. Irish, but the established residents, Southern Paiute Indians, drove them away. In 1866, more prospectors arrived, used violence to drive off the Paiutes, and worked the silver mines. In that year, the town of Logan City was established near a spring. The town grew to a population of 300 and had a post office (making it an official town). The town was abandoned three years later (1869) when more productive mines opened near Pioche.

Starting in the 1950s, two residences were built, partially using remains of the previous town, but these too were abandoned.

Today, the area is silent except for the wind and noisy Pinyon Jays. Sagebrush has regrown, Utah Junipers dot the landscape, and most of the old stone buildings are gone. What remains, stone walls, cement foundations, and rusty cans, remind us of life during earlier times.

There are five parts to this area: Schofield House, Wooden House, Historic Stone Cabins, Logan Spring and Habitation Sites, and Historic Cabins and Tent Sites on the Hillside.

Getting to Logan Townsite

Logan Townsite is located in the southern part of Basin and Range National Monument, about 2-1/4 hours (120 miles) northeast of Las Vegas driving directly, or about 45 minutes (13.1 miles) northwest of the intersection of Highway 93 and Highway 318.

From Las Vegas, drive north on Interstate-15 21 miles to Highway 93. Turn left onto Great Basin Highway (Hwy 93) and top off the gas tank if necessary. Drive north past the towns of Alamo (95 miles from Las Vegas) and Ash Springs (102 miles) to the intersection of Highway 93 and Highway 318 (107 miles). Gasoline is available in Alamo, Ash Springs, Rachael, and Lund.

Turn left onto Highway 318 and drive west then north on Highway 318 for 3.1 miles to Logan Canyon Road on the left. The intersection is marked only by a wire fence gate. Open and be sure to close the gate, then drive west on Logan Canyon Road 9.6 miles to an unsigned fork. Stay left 0.3 miles to Logan Townsite.

Robert Schofield, Carson City, NV, writes:

The Stone House was built by my grandfather, Thomas Theron Schofield, of Las Vegas, NV. He started the project in the late 1950's. I helped him remodel it in 1968. Tom grew up in Hiko, NV, and was a prospector in the area for many decades.