One of our most important assets at the Park is the Silver Top Complex, which includes the Silver Top headframe, hoist house, ore house (Grizzly), and train infrastructure.
It is one of the only remaining intact complexes in Nevada and is one of the principle attractions within the Tonopah Historic Mining Park.
The Silver Top headframe was stabilized and restored in 2019 utilizing funds from the Commission for Cultural Centers and Historic Preservation. Access to two of the historical landmarks (bridge and Grizzly) are closed to the public due to safety concerns. The bridge (part of the train infrastructure) leading to the Silver Top orehouse (Grizzly) from the headframe needs to be stabilized and repaired, reopening both to the public. At the same time, we would like to recreate the upper trestle that ran from the orehouse to the headframe (see historic photo), retying these two structures together for added stabilization. Our goal is to stabilize and repair structures where that is feasible, and replace with historically correct features, only as necessary, to significantly increase the historical mine experience for visitors.
Please help us in our quest to preserve the Silver Top for future generations!
The Tonopah Historic Mining Park Foundation does not have the funding to accomplish these vast restorations alone. As time passes, foundations continue to crumble, superstructures need wood replacement, and steel needs repair. Your donation will help to ensure the preservation of these icons of mining history, not only for today, but for the future as well.
The Silver Top
In operation from 1902 to 1948, the Silver Top head frame is one of the three complete hoisting works on Park property. The failure of the front foundations have caused the front feet to drop and pull away from the rear feet. Several structural trusses have pulled loose and fallen.
The Desert Queen
The Desert Queen head frame was used between 1901 to 1929. One of the major diagonal frame members is completely rotted off at the footing. Several structural trusses have pulled loose and fallen.