The Loneliest Road in America
Austin, NV

Austin was once one of Nevada's largest and richest mining communities. It is now one of the best unreconstructed mining camps and offers travelers a glimpse of its once rich past. For example, visitors may wish to view Stokes Castle, located at the west end of town on a steep dirt road. The "castle" was built to resemble a Roman tower and is very odd architecturally. It was used for only a short time as a summer home.

Located on the other end of town is the Gridley Store. Built in 1863, the store was operated by a group that included Reuel C. Gridley. Mr. Gridley is best remembered for losing a bet and having to carry a sack of flour from one end of town to the other. He auctioned the sack a number of times, raising money for the Sanitary Fund, a Civil War forerunner of the Red Cross. Austin also houses a variety of churches, including St. George's Episcopal Church, consecrated in 1878; St. Augustine's Catholic Church, built in 1866; and the Methodist Church, consecrated in 1866.