Moorman Ranch is located 31 miles west of Ely on Highway 50. The names Moorman Ranch and Illipah were both used to designate the Ranch. The ranch is private property, but many of the old original buildings dating back to the 1800's can still be seen from highway 50. Today, Moorman Ranch is the name for the ranching complex, and Illipah is the name for the reservoir that serves as a recreational facility and stores water for the Moorman Ranch for agricultural use. The turnoff for the reservoir and recreational facility is 37 miles west of Ely. A sign will direct the visitor from Highway 50 to the reservoir. This is an excellent fishing site, with picnic tables, restrooms and space for trailers. It is always a relaxing place to take a break for those going to/from the Hamilton area or just traveling across Highway 50.
Jake Medzgar, a.k.a. Dutch Jake originally established the ranch, soon after the boom began at Hamilton. Captain William C. Moorman - a Confederate veteran - purchased the ranch from Medzgar. A toll road and toll gate was set up along the "narrows" heading from White River to Hamilton. Moorman and his family made Moorman Ranch successful. A post office was established there March 22, 1898 with Moorman's wife Pearl serving as postmistress. The 1916 "Complete Official Road Guide to the Lincoln Highway" designated the location as Mooreman's Ranch (Illipah). The Guide stated meals, lodging, gas, oil, drinking water, radiator water, camp site and telephone was available to the traveler. In the 1924 "Complete Official Road Guide to the Lincoln Highway" the name was listed as Illipah (Mooreman's Ranch) with all the services available listed in 1916.
Although the post office was discontinued on November 30, 1913 and its operations transferred to Kimberly, the Moorman Ranch continues to be an active ranch. According to Helen S. Carlson, Nevada Place Names,an earlier spelling appears in the name Illapah Springs, located three miles east of Hamilton. Carlson states that the name Illipah comes from the Shoshone illa, “rock” and pah, “water.” Illipah is the name for a creek rising at the north end of the White Pine range that flows generally northeast into Jake's Valley.
