{"content":[{"text":"realistically, that without the bounty of Tonopah, I would not exist. This is how we became \n connected to Tonopah.","bbox":{"left":0.117647,"top":0.090909,"width":0.772211,"height":0.035818}},{"text":"The Nevada State Bank and Trust building broke ground in April of 1906, and remains an \n example of the economic solidarity of early Tonopah. The history of its owners and tenants \n also tells a story of the precariousness of speculators and dreamers, and the hazards of the \n boom-and-bust phenomenon of the mining industry. Thomas B. Rickey commissioned the \n building in 1906 to house his bank, The Nevada State Bank and Trust Co. of which he was \n president. The architect, G. E. Holesworth, designed this building, and also designed The \n Mizpah Hotel, The Goldfield Hotel, and The John S. Cook Bank in Rhyolite. It Is a neo- \n classical revival style design, popular in the early 1900's. Mr. Thomas Rickey opened his \n bank, which enjoyed the space for four months, and then closed due to poor Investments. \n Thomas B. Rickey, president, was eventually charged with embezzlement. It was not until \n 1922 that the State Bank claims were finally settled. Despite the fraud that took place, \n the bank space was eventually taken over by Nevada State Bank, and the building tenants \n moved into the inevitable ebb and flow which represented the boom-and-bust rhythm of \n the mining industry. The tenants were interesting and varied, with a good representation of \n attorneys, physicians, surveyors, engineers, dentists, insurance companies, and interesting \n retail groups which sold candy, hats, clothes, drugs and liquor. The Nevada Club Bar, \n located on the main floor at the northeast corner of the building, was voted one of the 10 \n best bars in the United States in 1908. Hugh Brown and Key Pittman were two important \n figures who had offices in the building. Tonopah became the richest silver producer in the \n nation, and in 1905 became the county seat of Nye county, as it remains today. The \n population at its height was 10,000 souls, and nearby Goldfield swelled to 20,000 souls \n in its heyday in 1908. The first car did not arrive in Tonopah until March 20, 1908.","bbox":{"left":0.117647,"top":0.144849,"width":0.7793219999999998,"height":0.394605}},{"text":"Tonopah Mining District produced over $114 million between 1900 and 1920. The town \n and its buildings were built with permanency in mind, but the economy, labor disputes, \n and the remoteness of the camp all took their toll. The town, in 1904, received more mail \n than New York City. Companies, investors, and speculators from all over the world played \n their hands in Tonopah…. using this building to construct and design major mining deals, \n major swindles, and major illusions, then would go across the street to The Mizpah and \n celebrate their good fortune at The Mizpah Bar and Hotel. These two buildings represent \n the hopes and dreams, the boom and bust, and the tenacity of the human race. Against all \n odds, this remote place was tamed by those in search of a better life and a brighter future \n for themselves, their families, and their communities. The preservation of these buildings, \n the telling of their history, will hopefully remind all of us of the unbounded human \n capacity for innovation, survival, and belief in a better future.","bbox":{"left":0.117647,"top":0.557273,"width":0.7759929999999999,"height":0.21521100000000004}},{"text":"We hope you enjoy your stay while you are in Tonopah, and hope you can get out to the \n local mining park or history museum or even Belmont or Goldfield and try to imagine life \n here in 1906!","bbox":{"left":0.117647,"top":0.790606,"width":0.757479,"height":0.053696999999999995}},{"text":"Sincerely, \n Nancy and Fred Cline","bbox":{"left":0.117647,"top":0.862424,"width":0.184647,"height":0.035818000000000016}}],"images_bbox":[],"images_bbox_not_text_overlap":[]}