In the eastern part are several high ranges of mountains, having a northerly and southerly trend, and separating the valleys of this portion, which constitute distinct basins, having no connection with the main drainage systems of Nevada. These mountain ranges have the same general characteristics as all the others in northern Nevada, being seamed with ledges bearing the precious and other metals. In many parts of the county rich veins of gold and silver have been discovered. Most of these discoveries are of comparatively recent date and are yet but slightly developed, but some of the mines have been worked for many years and have turned out a large amount of bullion. Some of the late gold discoveries are phenominally rich, and give promise of very soon becoming genuine bonanzas to their owners.

In the northeast part of the county are extensive copper mines, upon which work has been commenced within the past two years by a company of New York capitalists. Furnaces have been erected in this district, which is known as White Cloud, and they are now turning out and shipping matte. All the copper ores of this district carry a percentage of both silver and gold. In this region also are rich mines of antimony and cobalt, preparations for working which on a large scale are now being made. Besides the metals above mentioned, there are extensive deposits of salt, borax and soda in different parts of the county. For a number of years soda and salt have been leading articles of produce and export.

Stock Raising

Agricultural Resources

The soil of the valley is generally a dark loam of great depth and richness, and is well adapted to all the products raised in Lyon and Humboldt counties, which join Churchill on either side. The major portion of the land in this valley still belongs to the Government, though in the northern part the alternate sections are the property of the Central Pacific railroad company.

At present there is no railroad into the valley, but the nearest point on the Central Pacific does not exceed thirty miles from its center, and as the ground is almost level all the way, the building of a branch into it will be a very simple matter when it is settled up.

In the eastern part of the county are Edwards creek, Salt Marsh and Osob valleys, each of which contains a large area of good land, but the water supply afforded by the streams is deficient. However, this deficiency may in the future be largely made up by the development of artesian waters, for which the prospects are good. In the first named valley are two wells, having a depth of about ninety-five feet, which furnish sufficient water to thoroughly irrigate fifty acres of land, and the indications for artesian supplies in all of these valleys appear equally as good as at this place. At present this portion of the county, aside from mining, is chiefly a stock country, but by a close utilization of all the surface waters, through storage and well planned systems of ditches, many thousands of acres in each of the above named could be rendered valuable for farming purposes.