Ely
How Ely got it's name
Back to Ely
By Donna Frederick, © January, 2003
Ely was a popular name in Lincoln and White Pine Counties during the late 1800's. Thankfully, the boys with the deep pockets who invested in Lincoln and White Pine were named Ely! At least it is easy to spell! The term "City" was rather loosely applied in both counties! Possibly to impress eastern investors with the idea of a large city rather than a small camp?
The name Ely first appeared in White Pine county newspapers in 1869 during White Pine's own mining excitement - the "Rush to White Pine" in the Hamilton area. John Ely, a native of Illinois, was prominent in the development of the Raymond and Ely mine in Lincoln County. The Pioche Mining District in Lincoln County was renamed Ely Mining District in 1869. In 1870, Raymond and Ely located a five-stamp mill south of Pioche and a camp named Ely City sprang up. According to historian Stanley Paher, "Nevada Ghost Towns and Mining Camps," the camp was soon renamed Bullionville. Early accounts of "going to Ely" refer to the area near Pioche.
In White Pine County, it was to be awhile before the name "Ely" was applied to the location of White Pine County's current seat of government. This site was unofficially known as Murry Creek Station for many years. According to Helen S. Carlson, "Nevada Place Names," Murry Creek and Murry Canyon were named by Captain Simpson after "Lieut. Alexander Murry, the commanding officer of the escort." The land, which included the present townsite of Ely, is said to have been first located by George Lamb in 1869 or 1870 and named Murry Creek Station.
The "Daily Inland Empire," published in Hamilton, Nevada, reported on "Millerville" September 2, 1869. Millerville was located three miles below Mineral City on Murry Creek and was notable as an important place where a large saw mill was buy at work getting out timber for the construction of a quartz mill. No other mention of "Millerville" has been found in White Pine papers.
The small village where John Murry established his station and ranch was officially designated "Ely" November 28, 1878 with the establishment of the post office. Once again, the use of the word "City" was applied. Ward Reflex, December 7, 1878 reported "Jas. I. Rokohl [correct spelling - Rohold] has been appointed postmaster of Ely City, the town that lately sprung into existence near Robison in this county."
Historians agree Ely was named for Smith Ely, of Ely Vermont. Prior to investing in the area near present day Ely, Smith Ely acquired a copper mining company near Vershire, Vermont in 1865. Mr. Ely's operation was so successful that Vershire petitioned the state for a name change from Vershire to Ely in 1878, hoping to flatter Mr. Ely and perhaps acquire some substantial donations for funding numerous needed civic projects. However, Mr. Ely's mining empire was not on a financially solid foundation, monetary and labor problems erupted, and by the beginning of the twentieth century the mines were almost completely closed down. The newly named town of Ely again petitioned the state of Vermont and returned to being known as Vershire in 1882.
Frederick F. Thomas, a miner associated with the Selby Mine, totally disregarded the name Murry Creek Station that located the small settlement more accurately, and chose the name Ely when he petitioned for a post office. He selected the name Ely for Smith Ely who had purchased property nearby through his agent Joseph Long. Apparently, no one challenged the name.
Unfortunately, confusion arose as to the source of the towns name in the early 1900's when Dan M. McDonald included inaccurate data accrediting the town with being named for John Ely in a historical description of White Pine County in Sam P. Davis' 1913 "History of Nevada." McGill born historian, Russell Elliot settled the controversy many years ago when he confirmed the evidence that Ely was named for Smith Ely - but not before "History of Nevada" was printed and distributed. The confusion over how Ely got it's name appeared to be resolved and lay dormant until the White Pine Chamber of Commerce included McDonald's version in its packet of pertinent information used to attract tourists and potential businesses in the late 1980's. Ely Daily Times, Souvenir Edition printed for the City of Ely Centennial 1887 - 1997, (Ely was designated county seat in 1887) wrote a scathing article critiquing the Chamber for printing this misconception. The Chamber then issued a revised version entitled "How Ely Got It's Name - Maybe" leaving the impression that how Ely got it's name is still a subject for controversy.
References used:
Carlson, Helen S. NEVADA PLACE NAMES A Geographical Dictionary 1974
Elliott, Russell Richard A thesis submitted for a degree of Master of Arts,1938
Lincoln, Francis Church, Mining Districts and Mineral Resources of Nevada,1923 reproduction.
McDonald, Dan M. Chapter LVIX White Pine County from Davis, Sam P. The History of Nevada
National Archives Microfilm Publication,Record of Appointment of Postmasters, 1832 - September 30, 1971, Roll 80.
Paher, Stanley W. NEVADA Ghost Towns & Mining Camps,1970
Smith, Roscoe M. Nevada Bureau of Mines and Geology, Bulletin 851976
Ward Reflex, December 7, 1878, August 7, 1880
White Pine News, 1st Annual Edition, December 25, 1906.
Ely Daily Times, Souvenir Edition, printed for the City of Ely Centennial 1887 - 1997
