Crescent Mill in Hiko, Nevada

Crescent Mill was probably the earliest mining infrastructure built in this part of Nevada, in the late 1860s. It was possibly located here due to water availability from Crescent Spring, and this spring still fills a water tank at the site.

The mill was intended to process ore from local silver strikes, but it initially shut down in 1867 after only 10 days of operation. With new financial backing, it re-opened and ran from 1869 to 1871, with some desultory activity thereafter, but as was so often the case the grade and volume of ore was inadequate to repay the investment.

The most prominent remnant is the chimney for the smelter, but there are fragments of other ruins in the vicinity. The area now lies at the extreme southwestern corner of Basin and Range National Monument. Please take only pictures and leave only footprints.