Mining in Nevada has long been the most important industry for the state.  Railroads were built to accommodate the early mines, mills and smelters.  Every county has had mining activities.  The early Indians as well as the Franciscan Fathers, prior to the advent of the Argonauts conducted mining.  This activity was on a small scale, which soon changed with the arrival of the early pioneers and grew into the important history we know today. 

The first white man to enter Nevada in 1776 was believed to be Francisco Garces.  The early Franciscan Fathers and their Mexican converts worked the gold placer deposits as well as silver and turquoise in what is now Clark County.  The early Miners found interesting relics from their activities.  The deposits of obsidian, opalite, chalcedony, agate, jasper and quartz were found throughout the state.  This created mining activities by the early Indians that predated the Constock discovery.  Arrowheads, spear points and cutting and scraping tools were fashioned from their efforts.  Remnants of these activities were found near Tonopah, Beatty and the Carson Sink in Washoe Valley.  These treasures are believed to be 10,000 years old.  The Anasazi mined turquoise near Boulder City in Clark County.  More history may be found in the map package, "Nevada Gold & Gems".  A very good companion to "Nevada Ghost Towns".