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Historic Wells
Nevada
Nevada Retrolook | Historic Wells | Nevada Main

The roadside traveler passing through the west will at times come across reminders of the Old West. For those stopping in the town of Wells, Nevada, the Old West was never closer.

 

Historic Front Street Sign
Wells, NV
Photo by RoadsidePeek.com

 

Many of the buildings that still stand in Wells were built in the 19th century. In fact, Wells was originally founded as a railroad town along the Transcontinental Railroad.

Historic Front Street
Wells, NV
Photo courtesy Dave & Debra van Hulsteyn

 

Front Street is features a strip of old businesses that makes one feel like they've stepped back in time. However, even with the railroad tracks nearby, the periodic stillness in the area leaves no doubt that time has for the most part passed this area by.

 

Front Street
Wells, NV
Photo by RoadsidePeek.com

Unfortunately, this historic district in Wells, NV was damaged when a 6.0 magnitude earthquake struck about 11 miles southeast of the town at 7:16 a.m MST on February 21, 2008. Fortunately only minor injuries were reported. According the Salt Lake City Tribune, the earthquake damages included two 19th-century brick buildings In downtown Wells, the El Rancho Hotel and the Bullshead. Both had masonry fall away from their facades. Many of the other businesses in Wells, especially along historic Front Street, were also damaged.

 

Bullshead
Wells, NV
Photo by RoadsidePeek.com

 

The Las Vegas Review Journal quoted a Nevada official state the damage to the Wells historic area "looks discouraging." A block of historic buildings on Seventh Street suffered significant damage though they are still standing. The article states that funds from the State's cultural preservation program can not be spent on private property, and the Wells buildings are privately owned.

El Rancho Hotel
Wells, NV
Photo courtesy Dave & Debra van Hulsteyn

 

Below are more photos of historic Wells.

 

Nearing Wells
Photo by RoadsidePeek.com

Front Street
A shot of the Bargain Barn
Photo by RoadsidePeek.com

Part of S. Quilici wall damaged in earthquake
Photo by RoadsidePeek.com

Close up of El Rancho Hotel marquee
Photo courtesy Dave & Debra van Hulsteyn

San Marin Hotel
Photo courtesy Dave & Debra van Hulsteyn

Nevada Theatre
Photo courtesy Dave & Debra van Hulsteyn

Bullshead Bar
Photo by RoadsidePeek.com

Murphy's Bar
Photo by RoadsidePeek.com

Unnamed Building
Photo by RoadsidePeek.com

Wells Chalet
Photo courtesy Dave & Debra van Hulsteyn

Wells Chalet Wall
Photo by RoadsidePeek.com

More of the Wells Chalet Wall
Photo by RoadsidePeek.com

Sharon Motel Day Shot
Photo courtesy Dave & Debra van Hulsteyn

Sharon Motel Night Shot
Photo courtesy Dave & Debra van Hulsteyn

Old West Inn
Photo by RoadsidePeek.com

Shell Crest Motel
Photo courtesy Devil Doll

Lone Star Motel
Photo courtesy Devil Doll

Victory Motel
Photo courtesy Dave & Debra van Hulsteyn

Big Pillow Motel
Photo courtesy Dave & Debra van Hulsteyn

 

 

 

 

 

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© Copyright 1998-2021 Syd Nagoshi. All rights reserved. No portion of this document may be reproduced, copied or revised without written permission of the author.