History of Pine Grove, NV
An Indian showed William Wilson the gold bearing rocks in June of 1866 and prospectors stampeded the area through the summer. At first called Wilsonville, the camp was renamed Pine Grove, with a post office, the weekly news, and a population of 200. Two steam powered stamp mills and three arrastras treated both both and silver ores, while stages and freight lines brought in supplies and hauled out bullion.
Pine Grove Nevada
In the early 1870s, the population reached it’s peak of 600. The tri-sectioned camp straggled for a mile of the canyon and contained five saloons, three hotels, a variety store, a hardware store, a Wells Fargo agent, a dance hall, blacksmith shops, general merchandise, barbershops, a shoeshine shop, a school, oxen yards, livery stables, and two doctor’s offices.
Towards the end of the decade, the mines began to decline and by 1893, the mines were worked only intermittently. Today, only a few individuals work the mines from time to time.
Pine Grove Nevada
Most of the buildings in Pine Grove were destroyed some years ago when a severe storm sent a mudslide down the canyon destroying almost everything in its path. Today, only a few buildings still remain. Most notably the old boarding house which has about two feet of dirt covering the first floor.
Pine Grove also served as a regional supply center for local ranchers until the later part of the decade, when the mines began to decline.
Pine Grove Cemetery
Remains of the cemetery are high atop the ridge on the north side of the canyon.
Getting to Pine Grove
GPS Coordinates: 38°40’44.0″N 119°07’25.0″W (38.6789000, -119.1236000)
https://goo.gl/maps/rwPu1vPvNK3h6dCZ8
From the north near Wilson Canyon you can take Pine Grove Rd. South until you hit NF-059 that takes you right to Pine Grove.
You can also come in through Scotts Canyon on NF-099 from Pine Grove Rd. As well.
You can also get there from the west, south of Wellington off of Highway 338 on NF-192 to NF-099.
