The camp of Melvin was laid out north of Ely on the Nevada Northern Rail Road line. John Melvin built a small ranch at Monte Neva Hot Springs in early 1907. A post-office was established at Melvin on March 20, 1907 and a townsite was platted. The post-office served nearby ranches and the mining camp of Ruby Hill, across Steptoe Valley. Freight destined for the camp at Ruby Hill came through the Melvin railroad siding. The townsite that was platted was never needed and Melvin did not expand beyond the small-ranch stage. The post-office operated until January 31, 1913, when the mail address for its patrons became Steptoe.
