Throughout Nevada’s history, mining communities have popped up seemingly overnight after the discovery of ore. Thousands traveled to these communities in search of their fortune, only to see many of them dry up after the boom came to an end. While the people have left, Nevada’s ghost towns still have a story to tell and are an important part of the Silver State’s history. Get to know one of these places: Goldfield.

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Perhaps no Nevada mining town better represents the term “boomtown” better than Goldfield. With the 1902 discovery of gold in the area, people arrived in droves. Within four years an estimated 30,000 people resided in Goldfield, making it Nevada’s largest city.

Goldfield’s large population attracted a wide range of businesses and interesting characters. In addition to the 49 saloons, 22 hotels, 40 doctors, and 10 undertakers, Goldfield was home to individuals like successful businessman George Wingfield and the famous law enforcement brother duo Wyatt and Virgil Earp. Goldfield even hosted a 1906 championship boxing match between Joe Gans and Oscar Nelson. The fight was declared the fight of the century, drawing attendees from all over the nation. The contest lasted an astonishing 42 rounds before Nelson was disqualified for throwing a punch below Gans’s belt.

Though Goldfield produced $86 million worth of ore during its boom, its success was short lived. By 1910 most of the mining had stopped. Over the next two decades, fires and flash floods caused extensive damages, causing its population to rapidly decline.

However, Goldfield continues to live on. A few hundred people still call the town home today, and Goldfield serves as the seat of Esmeralda County. A few signs of the town’s remarkable past remain too. The Goldfield Hotel, a four-story, 150 room building constructed in 1908 still stands (though it hasn’t been open to guests since the 1940s) and has been featured on a number of paranormal TV shows.