Steptoe (Campbell) ranch is located in the Granite Mining District about 10 miles northwest of McGill.
Early mining in the area near the ranch was confined to gold and silver in the early years. The Ben Hur vein was discovered in 1894, the Cuba and Stinson ore bodies in 1902, and the Blaine and Campbell groups in 1904. Ores from the Ben Hur, Stinson and Campbell groups were milled in a 5-stamp amalgamation mill at the Campbell (Steptoe) ranch. The area became known as the Steptoe district in 1914 and 1915. In all, 24 mines produced gold or lead-silver ores from 1869 through 1960. One of these, the Valley View, produced a little tungsten in 1954.
A post office, named Steptoe, was located at the Steptoe Ranch from October 14, 1893 to October 15, 1940. The two names, Steptoe and Campbell are often confusing. Although the post office had the official designation "Steptoe," Laura Campbell was appointed the first post master on October 14, 1893. Others served in the interim years, but the last postmaster was once again a Campbell - George M. Campbell.
South of the Steptoe ranch house a lone tree stands sentinel marking the final resting-place of the Mollison’s. This site was visited August 21, 1999. A wooden fence surrounds the spot that is now over grown with sagebrush and encloses a larger area than would be expected for one grave. The one stone visible is fast deteriorating. Only the final eson on the name can be read. What appears to be a Masonic symbol is below the name, then memory and 1898. This is the final resting-place of Henry Plumb Mollison, his wife and child. A telephone interview with grandson Bill Hardy in Reno, Nevada confirmed that Mr. Mollison was a Mason and the wife and child are buried within the enclosure. His obituary in the White Pine News August 20, 1898 stated that he was 77 years old, had spent the last 28 years in White Pine County and had been ill for quite some time before his death at his home in Steptoe Valley.
North and west of the Steptoe Ranch lies an Indian graveyard. This is not an abandoned, neglected cemetery, but one that is cared for.
