Goldfield Historic High School

Goldfield Historic High School is an abandoned schoolhouse located in what was once the largest town in Nevada that illustrates the boom-and-bust cycle seen in mining towns across the American West. It was constructed in mere months in 1907 as one of four local schools built in less than two years—but by 1918 it was the only one still in operation.

Goldfield, Nevada’s history started in 1902 when Tom Fisherman discovered (you guessed it!) gold in the area. Fisherman, who was Native American, showed his gold samples to prospectors Henry Stimler and Billy Marsh, who traveled the 26-ish miles south from Tonopah to the site of his discovery to investigate. They struck gold on Columbia Mountain, and in the spring of 1903, other prospectors started flocking to the area that would soon be known as Goldfield. And the growing town needed infrastructure, including several schools.

When Goldfield High School first opened in 1908, the three-story building housed 25 faculty and 125 students across a dozen classrooms and a large auditorium—with a total seating capacity of 450. Its façade, designed by architect J.B. Randall, featured an arched entryway, a wide staircase, and an elaborate wrought-iron gate that has since gone mysteriously missing.

The finished schoolhouse was a fitting showcase for Goldfield’s newfound wealth, costing $100,000—or the equivalent of $3.5 million in 2026. But the gold rush didn’t last. Just a decade later, in 1918, the town’s population had dwindled so much that every other school closed, consolidating all grades into the high school building. In 1953, the school building was fully decommissioned.

In 2008, the Goldfield Historical Society started a major restoration project to bring the school back to its former glory. To date, major milestones in the project include repairs to the stonework façade, a front staircase rebuild, new windows, a new roof, and classroom restorations.

For visitors interested in taking a look inside, tours are available by appointment.