Austin Information
If you’re traveling along U.S. Highway 50, “The Loneliest Road in America,” a must-see stop is Austin, almost exactly in the center of the state. Highway 50 received its ominous moniker from Life Magazine more than 20 years ago when a reporter described the Nevada highway as so remote, so desolate, so lonely that one should be prepared with survival skills before testing their fate in Nevada. The towns along the highway, including Austin, decided they liked that description and since then have challenged travelers to survive “The Loneliest Road in America.” Before you set out on your journey, download a Highway 50 Survival Guide, and be sure to get it stamped in each town and receive an “I Survived” certificate signed by Nevada’s governor.
Founded during a silver rush in the 1860s, Austin stands as testament to “the way it was.” During the mid-1800s, Austin was the second-largest city in Nevada with more than 5,000 residents and another 5,000 in the surrounding areas. By 1887, however, silver production ended and the city began to decline to its current 290 residents.
One of the most photographed sites in this quiet Nevada town is Stokes Castle, just a few miles west of town. This three-story stone structure, built of hand-hewn granite, was the summer home of a wealthy family in the 1890s and is a fascinating example of dry-masonry construction. Visitors can drive up to the old stone castle, or find it by exploring the area’s maze of mountain-bike trails. These trails offer breathtaking views of the valley below town, and in the spring the hillsides are lavish with miles of vibrant wildflowers.
On Main Street, there are several antique and gem shops where visitors can browse jewelry made from locally mined turquoise and silver. Towering above Main Street is the privately owned St. Augustine’s Catholic Church, the oldest Catholic church in Nevada. The church is currently undergoing restoration and will reopen as a cultural center. Stop in at Main Street Shops to find out more about the church.
Las Vegas InformationLas Vegas is a city that barely needs an introduction. From its top-of-the-line resorts, shopping..
Carson City InformationNevada’s state capital, Carson City, is nestled in the northwestern part of the state only a..
Reno InformationWhat began as a small community built to serve westward travelers in the mid-1800s has become a..
Lake Tahoe InformationWelcome to the jewel of Nevada, Lake Tahoe. The largest alpine lake in the United States, Lake..
Northwest Nevada Information“America’s Adventure Place” is how some describe the Reno-Tahoe area. That said, you’ll..
Boulder City InformationBoulder City was established in 1931 to house the builders of Hoover Dam and to be a model of the..
Genoa InformationHome to only 250 people, Genoa offers visitors a quaint town with historical charm. You can spend..
Southern Nevada InformationTowering peaks, breathtaking vistas, a wild, rushing river…not exactly what comes to mind when..
Virginia City InformationStep back in Nevada time in Virginia City, a Storey County town nestled in the foothills of..
Central Nevada InformationMuch of Nevada looks just as it did when the pioneers traveled west more than a century ago. The..
Indian Territory InformationNorthern Nevada InformationStrap on your hat and pull on your boots for a visit to northern Nevada’s Cowboy Country, where..
See all locations in Nevada
Useful Travel Links
