Salt Wells, Nevada

Borax was discovered by William Throop at Salt Wells. In 1870, the American Borax Co. built a borax works there. In 1871, the plant was in operation, along with a smaller plant, producing 20 tons per month, though production ceased in a few years due to the low grade of the deposit. The borax deposit consisted of about 400 acres with a borax content of 10%, sometimes reaching 30%.^[2]

In the 1920s and 30s, Salt Wells had a bar^[3] and a gas station.^[4]

Salt Wells was the site of Salt Wells Villa, a brothel in operation from 1975. In 1977, the brothel was Firebombed by the wife of the Churchill County Sheriff, Mildred Banovich.^[5] The brothel closed in 2004.^[6] In 2007, the brothel was destroyed in a fire.^[7]

In 2009, the Salt Wells Geothermal Plant was opened south of Salt Wells.^[8][9]

In March 2018, it was reported that the Nevada Department of Transportation was considering Salt Wells as a possible route from Tonopah, Nevada to Interstate 80; the new route would be part of Interstate 11.^[10]

• Salt Wells (nvexpeditions)