Ever since my disappointing trip to a ghost town in Death Valley last year, where all there was to be found was some rusted cans and tens of abandoned mines, I’ve been hoping to go visit Rhyolite, two hours northwest of Las Vegas. This past weekend, that guy from fantent/snakesonablog and I finally made the trip.

Rhyolite, one of the better preserved ghost towns in southern Nevada, had a population nearing 10,000 at its height in the late 19th century, but was empty a few decades later. Several large buildings still remain, including the jail, a residence/brothel, the bank, and the train depot. There are also abandoned mines peppered around the area, and a small cemetery.

In addition to the historical landmarks, Rhyolite has also become the unlikely home for a modern sculpture garden. You can find these sculptures near the road approaching the town. The oldest sculpture, an odd portrayal of The Last Supper with white-robed ghosts, has been around since the early 1980’s.

I took a small number of photos of the town and the sculptures.