Exploring on Travel Days

I have traveled along Highways 395 and 95 in Nevada several times over many years. But I’ve never stopped to see the roadside attractions. The highways are long, desolate, and nothing more than mountains and desert for a long stretch of miles. The ghost towns along the route welcome tourist stops with sudden speed changes from 65 to 25. So pay attention to your speeds and ensure your gas tanks are full. Few gas stations are along the route, sometimes traveling 100 miles before your next fill-up option. It will be expensive. They are out in the middle of nowhere.

Now that my life is all about travel and seeing sights I’ve never seen before. It was time to check out some history. Today, I’m sharing with you some of our Nevada stops.

Clown Museum, Tonopah, Nevada

The famous Clown Motel in Tonopah, Nevada, is known as the scariest motel because it is next to the Tonopah Cemetary.

It was just a run-down motel in a once-thriving town. I’ve never stayed at the motel. It’s too soon for my hours of traveling, and I don’t like staying in motels or hotels in general.

Changing owners several times over the years, each keeping with the theme. It was the main attraction for the town and gained national attention with tales from guests who were convinced it was haunted. Filmmakers saw it as a perfect setting for their slasher films, and ghost hunters were eager to discover if the stories were true. I have to admit. I have not seen any movies or episodes; I’m just not into horror films.

The motel was established in 1985 by Leona and Leroy David. They wanted to honor their father, Clarence, buried in the cemetery next door. His clown collection consisted of 150 pieces. The motel was a success among travelers along Highway 95 in the town, founded in 1900 for its ore mining.

Today, the museum houses a collection of over 3000 pieces. Under new ownership and a major facelift by the Mehar family, a former Las Vegas resident and hotelier works very hard to make the experience memorable for all visitors. I never really feared clowns, but many in one place were eerie. There are a lot of clowns! Have you been to the Clown Motel? Let me know what your thoughts are in the comments below.

The Town of Goldfield, Nevada

Goldfield is located along Highway 95, another former mining town from the 1900s I’ve never stopped in to explore. And did I miss out!

The town has a fascinating history I discovered after a visit to the visitors center. The gentleman who works there (I wish I got his name) is willing and knowledgeable to share the history. I plan to revisit and spend more time exploring the ghost town.

The fire that destroyed a rumored 54 blocks in 1923 is one of many disasters the gold-rich mining town endured. Founded in 1902, it was the largest and richest city in Nevada. A population that boomed to 20,000 residents and produced about 2.3 million in ore mining. It was a bustling town. It is hard to believe it is now one of many highway ghost towns. Considering Las Vegas’s size today, imagine it becoming a ghost town in 100 years? Never take anything for granted.

A few of the original buildings are still standing, like the Nixon Block building (pictured) and several of the original residences (not shown).

Stopping for the night in Beatty, NV

After a long day of driving, there is nothing like finding a sweet spot to park up for the night. We found it in Beatty, NV. Just before you enter the town (I am convinced the donkey population is larger than the people population), you will see a sign saying Full-hookups $25 a night. That is right up my budget alley. So we stopped and booked a spot. It’s not a resort type, but they have showers, water, sewer, electricity, and good cell service. The best part about our stop was the sunset at the end of a long travel day.

Thanks for stopping by. I hope you add Highway 95 to your list to explore in Nevada. We visited in June, so the temperatures were still in the 80s.

Leave me a comment if you’ve traveled along this route. Tell me what you think of the ghost towns along the way.

Next week, I’ll share some Oregon stops.