Discover 7 hidden attractions, cool sights, and unusual things to do in Ely (United States). Don't miss out on these must-see attractions: Nevada Northern Railway Museum, Central Theater, and White Pine County Courthouse. Also, be sure to include Capital Theater in your itinerary.
Below, you can find the list of the most amazing places you should visit in Ely (Nevada).
Table of Contents
Nevada Northern Railway Museum
Museum in Ely, Nevada. The Nevada Northern Railway Museum is a railroad museum and heritage railroad located in Ely, Nevada and operated by a historic foundation dedicated to the preservation of the Nevada Northern Railway.
Museum activities include restoration and operation of historic railroad equipment and various hands on experiences and a variety of special events including seasonal trains for Halloween and Santa-themed trains for Christmas. This is one of the few places in the world where visitors can actually operate a steam locomotive, but this experience requires some advanced planning.[1]
Address: 1100 Avenue a, 89301-2486 Ely
Central Theater
Theater in Ely, Nevada. The Central Theater was built in Ely, Nevada from 1939 to 1941. The Art Deco style cinema was built by Percy and Warren Hull after they were denied permission to expand Ely's Capital Theater, which opened in 1916. Originally it was built as a 725-seat theater. The Central is unusual in a town where most of the structures were built in the boom times of the early 20th century. The one story building features a vertical CENTRAL neon sign over the marquee. The interior features curved surfaces and is in a good state of preservation.
Construction began in 1939, with an ultimate cost of $80,000. The Central held its grand opening on March 29, 1941, with Arizona as its opening show. The Central was advertised as "The Finest Theater in Eastern Nevada." The Central Theater closed on February 4, 1993, and was listed on the National Register of Historic Places on August 5, 1993. The Central Theater had reopened as of 2006, but was closed in 2011, while its owners attempted to sell the building. The theater later reopened on May 25, 2012. In the weeks following its reopening, the theater experienced a large turnout of customers.
By October 2013, theater manager Chris Lani and his father-in-law, Don Purinton, announced plans to purchase the theater, which would become effective in March 2014. Lani and Purinton planned to start showing second-run films, as well as live theater shows, musical acts, and sports coverage. Lani and his brother had previously purchased the Capital Theater with plans to renovate and reopen it.
A new projection screen, as well as a digital projector and sound system, were installed in April 2014, as part of a planned renovation by Lani and Purinton. The 2016 film, The Dark Hand, includes scenes shot at the Central Theater, where the film was later premiered.[2]
Address: 145 15th St, 89301-1604 Ely
White Pine County Courthouse
Building in Ely, Nevada. The White Pine County Courthouse was built in 1908 in Ely, Nevada, located in White Pine County. The building was added to the National Register of Historic Places in 1986. By 2017, the county had begun plans to construct a new courthouse because of security concerns with the current one. A new courthouse began construction in 2019; after completion, the old courthouse was expected to be converted into county administrative offices. Several earlier proposals had been made for a new courthouse.[3]
Address: 950 Campton St, Ely
Capital Theater
Theater in Ely, Nevada. The Capital Theater in Ely, Nevada was built in 1916 by C.O. Fleming and W.P. Hull. The building began as a vaudeville hall that hosted a diverse range of live entertainment, including acrobats, comedians, lecturers, and magicians. The building reopened as a cinema in 1923, at a time when films were becoming popular. The theater closed in 1963. The building's style represents a possible reconstruction after a 1929 fire, and might best be described as Spanish Colonial Revival. The theater's design was carried out by the owners.
The tall brick exterior's lower portion, which houses the retail stores, has been altered, but the upper two thirds remain as built with a scalloped parapet. The interior was remodeled in the Art Deco style in 1938, shortly after the Hull brothers' other theater, the Central Theater, was completed in the same style.
The Capital was listed on the National Register of Historic Places in 1993. Brothers Brad and Chris Lani, local residents originally from Hawaii, purchased the theater from owner Norm Goeringer in December 2004. In January 2007, the Lanis announced plans to renovate the building and reopen it as a multi-purpose theater for films, concerts, and theatrical performances. The building was found to be in excellent condition following an inspection. At the time, the building was occupied by Herline Jewelry and Fantasy Fast Photo.[4]
Hotel Nevada and Gambling Hall
Hotel in Ely, Nevada. Hotel Nevada and Gambling Hall, also known as the Historic Hotel Nevada and Gambling Hall, is a hotel and casino located at 501 Aultman Street in Ely, Nevada.
The Hotel Nevada was built at a cost of $400,000, and was opened on July 7, 1929, with 100 hotel rooms. At six stories high, it was the tallest building in the state until 1931. Many celebrities and politicians have stayed at the hotel since it opened. The hotel-casino has changed ownership numerous times during its history, and was closed temporarily in 1986, because of a local economic downturn. The Hotel Nevada was sold to Bert Woywood and Paul Kellogg in February 1994. After 20 years, Woywood sold his ownership stake to Gaughan Gaming in February 2014.[5]
Address: Ely, 501 Aultman Street
Ely L.D.S. Stake Tabernacle
Building in Ely, Nevada. The Ely LDS Stake Tabernacle was built by the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints in 1927-1928 as a church and community center in Ely, Nevada. The two-story Colonial Revival building is now owned by White Pine County and is used as a community meeting hall. The contractor for the project was Joseph Don Carlos Young, grandson of Brigham Young.
The stake tabernacle is an unusual example of Colonial Revival design in Nevada, where the style was never widely used. It is also notable as an early example of the expansion of the LDS Church into neighboring states. The LDS church first was established in Ely in 1915. In 1926 the Ely Ward was established. The tabernacle was completed in 1928, containing a 600-seat auditorium, meeting space and classrooms. The facility was replaced by a new meetinghouse in 1957.[6]
United States Post Office
Post office in Ely, Nevada. The U.S. Post Office in Ely, Nevada was built to a standardized plan developed by the Office of the Supervising Architect, led by Louis A. Simon. The building uses an attenuated Classical style that was popular with Federal buildings in the 1930s. The post office opened on January 29, 1938, following delays in the start of construction. It closed in 2002, and was reopened in 2005 as a convention center for the nearby Hotel Nevada and Gambling Hall. That year, it was also listed on the National Register of Historic Places.[7]