nevada city two

Batt Ryan in Nevadaville, Colorado

In the 1880 Census, Bartholomew Ryan and his sister, Mary Ryan Boney, were found living in Nevadaville. Ironically, his future daughter-in-law's parents had also established residence "down the way" in Leadville, Colorado. In a biographical description written about Jim Boney, it mentioned that they "mined" for coal. Nevadaville was known for two types of mining: gold and silver; so this reference doesn't appear to be correct. As the census references their occupations as "laborers", it seems more likely that they worked in one of the local refineries or smelting plants. This may be our next project to find out. Bat Ryan was also listed as a "laborer."

Nevadaville (Nevada City)

Excerpt from "Ghosts of Gilpin County," John Aldrech

Nevadaville is located a short distance from Central City in Nevada Gulch. The town grew up in 1859-1860, and was originally called Nevada City. When a post office was established the name was changed to Bald Mountain because of the possible confusion with a California camp of the same original name. However, Nevadaville continued to be the name used by the residents.

In 1861 Nevadaville was larger than Denver, and it rivaled Central City for a while. However, lack of water and uneven terrain hampered its growth. It had six thousand residents at one time. There were several businesses and there was one of the first schools in the area, attended by one hundred fifty students.

The town was settled by Cornish on the western end and by Irish on the eastern. Battles raged between the two until the 1890s, at which time they united to keep out an influx of miners who were willing to work for lower wages. The Cornish built an Episcopalian and a Methodist Church; the Irish walked to Mass in Central City. Both groups drank and fought in Nevadaville's thirteen saloons.

This map shows all the mines that surrounded Central City, Nevadaville and Black Hawk. Between Nevadaville and Central City, it is about one mile. Below are pictures of Nevada (or Nevadaville) about the time when Bat Ryan and the Boneys lived there. What is interesting is that there were street names, but as you look at the city layout, you have to wonder how anyone knew where the streets started and ended.

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Collection of the Denver Public Library