The Ghost Town of Bonnie Clare, Nevada - Gunfights, Train Wrecks, and Gold

Gunfights, Trainwrecks, and Gold. That’s what you’d find at the small, abandoned mining town of Bonnie Claire, Nevada, a junction between the Las Vegas and Tonopah Railroad and the Bullfrog Goldfield Railroad.

The history of Bonnie Claire, put simply, is a mess. There’s a lot that we don’t know. There’s a lot that the history books gloss over, and even meticulous publications of local history can’t give more than a couple paragraphs about the site.

I was drawn to it because of how photogenic the place is; there are some stunning shots I’ve seen photographers take at this ghost town, but the mystery of this town; the lack of documentation, and the

There are scattered ruins here; wooden buildings falling apart, stone buildings dating back farther, and a rusty, creaking old mill on the hillside. A wooden trailer, left behind by one of the last residents, and two lonely graves of young women, their information already partially obscured. The abandoned track beds coming through this railroad stop remind us of the town’s dependency on its two railroad companies, and give us a clue as to where the train wreck occurred, but beyond the immediate ruins, there’s more waiting to be discovered.

Looking back on the excitement and tragedy, the ups and downs, and the humble beginnings and lonely end, can we assemble this town’s story like never before? And can we find the earliest remains of the town-site, currently lost to the history books?

[jackbodenmann]

Ghost towns and abandoned places always hold a sense of melancholy for me. Once busy with men, women, and children. The sounds of people going about their lives, voices, machinery, dogs barking, and children playing. The smell of food cooking. Now so lonely. A most enjoyable and informative video. Thank You.

[Golemkind]

There’s something so sweet about leaving bouquets in places that have been left behind.

[kraigcochran]

I’m a truck driver and have been driving through Nevada for over 3 decades and I’ve always wanted to explore the ruins and roads I have seen off of the highway but can’t waste time doing that stuff so I appreciate videos like this to educate me on what is out there. Thanks!

[greyjay]

Probably the best historical Nevada documentary I've ever seen. As a former resident of Nevada, I'm impressed with the quality of your work.

[kellybeeson]

When Victor Huson died in 1961, he had already moved to Goldpoint, NV and moved one of those cabins from Bonnie Claire to Goldpoint. His wife Millie was my great, great Aunt. She continued to live in Goldpoint until 1980 when grandma and grandpa made her move to Las Vegas. She hated the city. I was enthralled by her stories. We now own that cabin in Goldpoint. Allen Patera also has Victor and Millie on the census rolls from the early 1900's in Goldpoint. We've spent alot of time in Bonnie Claire as kids. Loved your show.

[roselightinstorms]

Love the flowers she leaves. Brings a little bit of life back to it❤

[maizie]

You were right to leave after the scream. I love the desert, but I know how alone you can be out there.
people with not so good motives know how alone you are too.
great video. and Emmas idea of leaving bouquets is wonderful!

[randypotter]

The eerie screaming reminds me of a story that I heard years ago. I was one of two guards at a large and isolated ammunition dump in the Mojave Desert. We were the only people around for miles and walked separate routes through the dump. We weren't allowed to talk to each other, although we sometimes did. One very dark and windy night, he told me about the "Yucca Man" who lived in the desert and had once killed a guard at the dump. Supposedly the guard's hair had turned white from fright, his broken and bent rifle on the ground beside him. "Nonsense" I replied as I returned to my lonely vigil, thereafter scared out of my wits at every strange sound in the dark. Probably just a story to scare guards into being vigilant...

[blueriver]

You must spend hours doing research. Just amazing. Great video
I love that Emma puts bouquets in abandoned places.

[Mr-zwtt]

Finally. My YouTube's finest gem posted a video about a historic ghost town.
Please, keep em up. I'm literally addicted. Storytelling and cam work are brilliant.

[marvwatkins]

That guy screaming at night probably saw your camp stove fire (even at a distance) and decided to pull a prank. Not a ghost, just a hiker with a crazy sense of humor.

[LauraEvins-wz]

Thanks so much for this wonderful explanation about Bonnie Clare!! Frank Patnoe was my GGF and little Dorothy was my GF's sister. We went to visit her grave last year. SO much history in my family! Laura (Patnoe ) Evins

[BlairAir]

Awesome way to start my Saturday! Coffee in hand! Without mining, towns like this would never have been!

[peter]

Now that's what I call a desert. Nothing in all directions. The falling buildings convey the sense of the impermanence of mans existence, his strivings and their ultimately melancholy endings. Great atmospheric video, thanks.

[darylcullum]

I`m an old prospector an love chasing down abandoned ghost towns an mines, keep up the good work.

[rongreen]

I haven't had cable 📺 for 6 years and that's because of quality filming and storytelling like this. I really enjoyed this, you did a fine job keep them coming.

[classiclife]

Superb work, as always. I wish YouTube would incentivize creators like you, encouraging and promoting your work ACTIVELY, rather than "algorithmically". Well anyway. Loved the last story of the old duffer baking his brains in the desert who lived with his wife, a woman with the patience of a saint, evidently. I like your text about her PROMPTLY hightailing it to Vegas after the old party died. 😄

[MichelleParry-ux]

I love Emma / Ema 's gift to the spirits of the wind. What a lovely gesture.

[SecretSquirrelFun]

In Australia, in very remote areas, you can still see the old cartwheel tracks in the ground, running along old disused roads and bush tracks.
Due to the minimal rainfall and lack of visitors, some of the cart tracks are as clear as if they were made in the last few days rather than over 100 years ago. It’s amazing.
I’m wondering if you might find some horse drawn cart tracks in this location also.

🙂🐿🌈❤️

[urfavguitarist]

Holy crap, this is one of the best ghost town documentaries I’ve seen from you. Great work, Tom.