Berlin-Ichthyosaur State Park
Berlin's abandoned machine shop
Map showing the location of Berlin-Ichthyosaur State Park
Map showing the location of Berlin-Ichthyosaur State Park
Location in Nevada
LocationNye County, Nevada, United States
Nearest townGabbs, Nevada
Coordinates38°52′29″N 117°35′23″W / 38.87472°N 117.58972°W / 38.87472; -117.58972[1]
Area1,115.52 acres (4.5143 km2)[2]
Elevation6,975 ft (2,126 m)[1]
DesignationNevada state park
Established1957
Visitors2,036 (in 2017)[3]
AdministratorNevada Division of State Parks
Designated1973

Berlin–Ichthyosaur State Park is a public recreation area and historic preserve that protects undisturbed ichthyosaur fossils and the ghost town of Berlin in far northwestern Nye County, Nevada.[4] The state park covers more than 1,100 acres (450 ha) at an elevation of 7,000 feet (2,100 m) on the western slope of central Nevada's Shoshone mountain range, 23 miles (37 km) east of Gabbs.[5] The park has Bortle scale class 1 skies which makes the state park a great place for astronomy as it is far away from light pollution.[6]

Ghost town

The town of Berlin sprang up in 1896, when substantial gold veins were discovered nearby. In total, the Berlin Mine produced 42,000 troy ounces (46,080 oz; 1,306.346 kg) of gold, all removed from tunnels by hard rock mining techniques. The mine became unprofitable by 1911, and the town of Berlin became uninhabited shortly thereafter.

Today, the ore mill still stands, and the stamps and mercury float tables can be viewed. Other buildings still standing include homes, blacksmith shop, stage coach shop and stable, machine shop, and assay office. Some buildings are open to enter, while others offer interior views of their contents through the windows. There are also headworks on some of the mine shafts.

Fossils

Fossil barn protecting in situ displays

Ichthyosaur fossils of the species Shonisaurus popularis were first discovered in the area in 1928. Excavations were conducted through the 1960s, and the remains of approximately 40 ichthyosaurs were found. Until 2004, these remains included the largest ichthyosaurs ever discovered. Several specimens were left where they were found, and can be viewed by the public. These specimens are protected from the elements by a large barn. The fossils are about a 10-minute drive from the Berlin ghost town. The ichthyosaur fossils were designated a National Natural Landmark in 1973.[7]

Activities and amenities

The park offers camping, picnicking, nature trail, and non–winter-month guided tours of the fossil shelter. Multiple trail signs relate the history of the town of Berlin and the mining camp of Union. Guided mine tours proceed approximately 500 feet (150 m) into a tunnel that connects with the Berlin Mine; all other access to the underground works is prohibited as too dangerous.[4]

References

  1. 1 2 "Berlin-Ichthyosaur State Park". Geographic Names Information System. United States Geological Survey, United States Department of the Interior.
  2. ↑ "Inventory of State Lands" (PDF). Nevada Division of State Lands. April 27, 2018. Retrieved November 30, 2019.
  3. ↑ "Division of State Parks Performance Audit" (PDF). Nevada Legislature. 2018.
  4. 1 2 "Berlin–Ichthyosaur State Park". Nevada State Parks. Department of Conservation and Natural Resources. Retrieved December 13, 2016.
  5. ↑ "Chapter 5: Inventory" (PDF). Nevada 2005 State Recreational Trails Plan. Nevada Division of State Parks, Planning and Development Section. p. 49. Archived from the original (PDF) on December 21, 2016. Retrieved December 13, 2016.
  6. ↑ R, Mike (August 22, 2021). "State Park Bortle 1 Scale Information In The US". CosmosPNW. Retrieved February 19, 2022.
  7. ↑ "Ichthyosaur Site". National Natural Landmarks. National Park Service. Retrieved December 13, 2016.
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