Caliente, Nevada – Steeped in Railroad History

Old Union Pacific Depot in Caliente, Nevada by Kathy Alexander.

Old Union Pacific Depot in Caliente, Nevada by Kathy Alexander.

Caliente, Nevada, a historic railroad town, is located in east-central Lincoln County at U.S. Route 93 and Nevada Highway 317. The quiet town mountain town, shaded by beautiful cottonwood trees, is the only incorporated community in Lincoln County.

Meadow Valley range, Nevada courtesy Bureau of Land Management.

Meadow Valley range, Nevada courtesy Bureau of Land Management.

Located in a meadow tucked among rugged canyons and sweeping mountain ranges, the earliest settlers were ranchers and farmers who took advantage of Clover Creek and the area’s natural hot springs.

The first pioneers to come to the area in the early 1860s were Ike and Dow Barton, two African American slaves who had escaped from Arkansas.

Another early resident was Mr. Klingensmith, a Bishop in the Mormon Church, who started a ranch in Dutch Flats north of present-day Caliente. Several other ranches were settled in the next years, including the Jackman Ranch.

A ranch in Caliente, Nevada in 1900 -- probably the Culverwell Ranch.

A ranch in Caliente, Nevada in 1900 — probably the Culverwell Ranch.

In 1874, ranching brothers Charles and William Culverwell purchased the Jackman Ranch and renamed it Culverwell Ranch. The area then became known as “Culverwell.” Along with ranching, people in the area developed orchards, dairies, vineyards, and lush farmland and found a perfect market for their products among the miners of the nearby boomtowns of Pioche and Delamar.

The Culverwells built some of the earliest stone shelters in the area. It is thought that the brothers built several of these stone shelters when they first arrived. Built into a hillside, the stone buildings, measuring between 12 feet to 15 feet square, still stand today along Clover Street’s west end.

Old stone building built by the Culverwells in Caliente, Nevada by Kathy Alexander.

Old stone building built by the Culverwells in Caliente, Nevada by Kathy Alexander.

In 1889, there was a need for a north-south railroad line between Los Angeles, California and Salt Lake City, Utah. There were soon two railroad lines competing for the opportunity, including the Union Pacific Railroad and Oregon Short Line. These two lines recognized the advantages of working together. However, mining magnate Senator William Clark began his own line, the San Pedro, Los Angeles, & Salt Lake Railroad, and was determined to build his railway first.

Steam engine in the narrow railroad gorge near Caliente, Nevada.

Steam engine in the narrow railroad gorge near Caliente, Nevada.

Only one railway would have sufficient room to navigate the canyon surrounding the Meadow Wash Valley. Within no time, railroad executive E.H. Harriman, directing the Union Pacific Railroad’s work, and William Clark waged a brief political railroad war that also included some underhanded activities. It is said that while one line laid track by day, the other would pull up the tracks each night.

Finally, William Culverwell, who owned the land with his brother, had had enough of the fighting and using a two-barrel shotgun, convinced Clark and Harriman to come to an agreement. Afterward, the Union Pacific Railroad assumed control of the project.

In 1901 an official town was founded on land owned by the Culverwell brothers. It was first named “Calientes,” meaning “hot,” for the hot springs in the area. When a post office was established on August 3, 1901, the “s” was dropped from the name, and the community was simply called “Caliente.” That year, the first train arrived in the new town.

Charles Culverwell owned the hot springs, and by 1901 he had opened the Culverwell Hotel that featured hot mineral baths. The business also featured a blacksmith shop and a livery stable. Soon everyone began calling him the “City Mayor.” Though the hotel no longer stands, hot mineral baths can normally be enjoyed at the Caliente Hot Springs Motel and Spa Hotel. However, when we visited in 2021, it was closed to the public and was leased long-term.

Business district in Caliente, Nevada, earlyl 1900s.

The business district in Caliente, Nevada, early 1900s.

Railroad Row in Caliente, Nevada today by Kathy Alexander.

Railroad Row in Caliente, Nevada today by Kathy Alexander.

In the summer of 1904, some $200,000 was appropriated by the railroad to build several permanent structures. These included 12 homes that were the beginnings of Company Row, a large roundhouse, 200-ton coal chute,  station building, water tank, an oil house, and an artificial ice house. Later, Company Row was doubled in size to include 24 homes. Many of the railroad workers’ cottages still sand today on Spring Street. At that time, United Pacific’s Caliente operations were the best-equipped steam facility between Salt Lake City and Los Angeles.

In 1905, the Union Pacific Railroad north-south line was completed, and a two-story wooden structure served as a train depot.

The 1905 stone school in Caliente, Nevada now serves as a Methodist Church, by Kathy Alexander.

The 1905 stone school in Caliente, Nevada, now serves as a Methodist Church by Kathy Alexander.

In that decade several business buildings and homes were built in Caliente that still stand today.

A stone school was constructed in 1905. It is an excellent example of the early 1900s “Classic Box” style of architecture. Now used as the Caliente Methodist Church, it stands at the corner of Culverwell and Market Streets.

The “Underhill” Stone Residence was built in 1905. Used as a residence and a saloon, it was originally just one-store with a flat roof. By 1920, a second story was added. The home is located at the east end of Clover Street.

Harry Underhill also built the Underhill General Merchandise Store at about the same time. The stone and wood-frame building was used as a general store and a hardware store. Between 1906 and 1907, he built the Underhill Rock Apartments, constructed entirely of stone on Bank Street. All of these buildings still stand today.

Underhill Rock Apartments in 1910.

Underhill Rock Apartments in 1910.

Underhill Rock Apartments in Caliente, Nevada today by Kathy Alexander.

Underhill Rock Apartments in Caliente, Nevada today by Kathy Alexander.

The Liston Home was built in 1905 or 1906 and is also constructed of stone. It, too, is an excellent example of the early 1900s “Classic Box” style of architecture.

The John Miller buildings in Caliente, Nevada last served as Gotfredsons Store by Kathy Alexander.

The John Miller buildings in Caliente, Nevada, last served as Gottfredsons Store by Kathy Alexander.

The John Miller Buildings were built in 1907 to serve as a bank with a hotel above but never served for either purpose. At one time, it was used as a cleaners and a tavern called the “Bucket of Blood Saloon,” as well as a variety of other “lively” uses. It was later owned by Red Gottfredson and was operated as a furniture and appliance store. It is located at Clover and Spring Streets.

In 1906, a massive flood, with a wall of water 10-12 feet tall, roared through the canyon. Ruining most everything, the Union Pacific rebuilt, only to have it happen again in 1910.

Completion of the Pioche Branch of the railroad in 1907 made Caliente the railroad connection to the nearby Pioche mines.

By 1910, Caliente was the largest town in Lincoln County with 1,755 residents, numerous saloons, two hotels, and several barbershops. In the years that followed, more settlers came to the community, not only to ranch and farm but because of railroad jobs.

The Richards Railroad Hotel was built between 1910 to 1915 by Harry Underhill used primarily as living quarters for railroad workers. This historic building, vacant today, still stands in Caliente toward the east end of Clover Street, where several other historic Underhill buildings stand. Though Underhill was described as an “ornery old cuss,” he appears to have been quite the entrepreneur in early day Caliente.

Underhill Row on the east side of Clover Street. From the left is the Underhill Store, Underhill House, and the Richards Hotel. By Kathy Weiser-Alexander.

Underhill Row on the east side of Clover Street. From the left is the Underhill Store, Underhill House, and the Richards Hotel. By Kathy Weiser-Alexander.

In about 1918, the historic Smith-Cornelius Hotel was built at the corner of Front and Spring Streets (U.S. Hwy 93.) First called the Smith Hotel, the three-story stucco building was built by Dr. and Mrs. Wesley Smith in a simple vernacular architectural style reflecting the time’s design tastes. The first floor featured three retail spaces, one of which was always a café.

The largest hotel in the area, it advertised new and modern facilities such as hot and cold running water and baths at reasonable rates. The historic hotel pulsed with activity and flourished during the economic boom of the 1920s. During these years, it hosted many visiting dignitaries and notables involved with Caliente’s mining and railroad activities, including President Herbert Hoover, who owned interests in a mine in nearby Pioche.

The hotel changed hands a couple of times until it was sold to Mrs. H. M. J. Cornelius, who continued to call it the Smith Hotel. Later it was changed to the Scott Hotel, which went out of business in about 1978. Over the years, the retail businesses included a pool hall, barbershop, pharmacy, beauty shop, and other retail businesses. One of the oldest surviving buildings in Caliente, it is listed on the National Historic Register today. The building is vacant today.

The Smith-Cornelius Hotel in Caliente, Nevada, 1927.

The Smith-Cornelius Hotel in Caliente, Nevada, 1927.

The Smith-Cornelius Hotel and its retail space are empty today. Photo by Kathy Alexander.

The Smith-Cornelius Hotel and its retail space are empty today. Photo by Kathy Alexander.

In 1921, the original train depot burned down. In 1923, a grandiose two-story railroad depot was built in mission-style Spanish architecture at a cost was $83,600. It was designed by John and Donald Parkinson, who were also the architects for the Los Angeles depot.

Early day Caliente, Nevada.

Early day Caliente, Nevada.

The building initially included a 50-room hotel on the upper level and railroad offices, a telegraph office, a restaurant, a passenger waiting room, and a community center on the first floor. Much of its interior was made of solid oak, including paneling and ornate doors. The building also featured vaulted ceilings and tile floors. A separate adjacent dormitory (now removed) served layover train crews.

Like other railroad towns, Caliente gained a broad right-of-way, and commercial streets were developed on both sides of the railroad tracks. In the 1920s, Caliente boomed as an active division point, helper station, and passenger hub. Beside the depot, a large switching yard was established, and roundhouse and repair facilities were added. During these heydays, 90% of the working residents of Caliente were employed by the railroad.

Train Store in Caliente, Nevada by Kathy Alexander.

Train Store in Caliente, Nevada by Kathy Alexander.

There were hopes that Caliente would be the next big resort town in the West. Reaching a population of 5,000, several business buildings were established that still exist today.

In the 1920s, Charles Culverwell built the Train Service Store to serve passengers in addition to the service given in the train depot. It is located on West Clover Street near the depot.

During Caliente’s heyday, it had 47 saloons, four barber shops, two mercantile stores, two blacksmith shops, two hotels, a livery stable, a butcher shop, and a hot springs bathing resort.

Like the rest of America, the Great Depression affected Caliente due to layoffs in the mines and the railroad. However, the city rebounded as the nation got involved in World War II. In 1944, the city was incorporated, and the first officially elected Mayor was Thomas Dixon. Mr. Dixon had a fine rose garden, and Caliente was soon dubbed “the Rose City.”

Steam engine in Caliente, Nevvada.

Steam engine in Caliente, Nevvada.

However, when the war was over, Caliente declined in importance as a railroad center when steam engines were replaced by diesel locomotives in the 1940s and ‘50s. The new diesel locomotives eliminated the need for helpers, fuel, water, as well and frequent servicing.

As a result, the railroad gradually reduced its workforce in Caliente, and the division point moved to Las Vegas. The Union Pacific also moved its shop facilities to Las Vegas in 1948. Afterward, the railroad removed the roundhouse, water tank, and excess yard tracks.

Immediately, the town’s growth stalled, and its population declined as many followed the railroad jobs. By 1950, Caliente’s population had dropped to 792.

Passenger service continued on the line between Los Angeles and Chicago until the mid-1970s. Today, only freight trains run on the line.

However, in the next decades, the community rebounded due to the establishment of three state parks nearby and traffic on U.S. 93.

Boxcar Museum in Caliente, Nevada by Dave Alexander.

Boxcar Museum in Caliente, Nevada by Dave Alexander.

In 1970, the beautiful mission-style depot building was turned over to the city of Caliente. The depot is the only station of its type left in Nevada. Today, it is home to city offices, a library, and the Civic Center. Next to the old depot is a Boxcar Museum that exhibits memorabilia and photos documenting Caliente’s railroad history.

Caliente is a well-kept and inviting southern Nevada city, offering a wide range of services to visitors, including restaurants, gas stations, motels, a small casino, RV Parks, and a variety of stores.

The city is close to several Nevada State parks, including Beaver Dam, Cathedral Gorge, Spring Valley, Echo Canyon, and Kershaw-Ryan.

Caliente is also home to extensive outdoor recreation opportunities, including more than 40  miles of single-track mountain bike trails in and around town. There are also thousands of motorized off-road tracks and trails in the area. The city also provides three city parks, a public swimming pool, tennis courts, rodeo grounds, shooting range, and motocross race track.

A Lincoln County Driving and Walking Tour features many historic sites in Caliente and other communities in the county. It is available online here.

Clover Street in Caliente, Nevada by Kathy Alexander.

Clover Street in Caliente, Nevada by Kathy Alexander.

The U.S. Department of the Interior/Bureau of Land Management office is at the southern end of Caliente, adjacent to US 93, with visitor information for travelers.

Today, Caliente’s population is about 1,075, making it the least populated incorporated city in Nevada.

© Kathy Weiser-Alexander/Legends of America, updated March 2021.

Front Street Building row in Caliente, Nevada by Kathy Alexander.

Front Street Building row in Caliente, Nevada by Kathy Alexander.

Also See:

Delamar – The Widow Maker

Nevada Ghost Towns

Nevada – The Silver State

Nevada Photo Galleries

Sources:

City of Caliente
Lincoln County Walking/Driving Guide
Nevada Magazine
St. George, UT News
Travel Nevada
Wikipedia