Just west of Goldhill, Nevada, off State Route 341, lie the American Flats, and the location of the abandoned United Comstock Merger Mill. The remains of the mill have been a gathering place for graffiti artists, partiers and bikers for decades. Some even say this place has been used by some people to practice witchcraft, and that certain areas, especially the creepy, dark underground tunnels, were haunted by spirits.
In 1920, the Unite Comstock Mining Co. built the $1.5 million building to process low-grade ores surfacing from the Comstock Lode. But after ownership changed and the price of silver fell in 1926, the mill was closed down for good.
Both the passing of time and the wind have slowly reduced the mill to concrete skeletal remains, subterranean vaults, drop-offs and cyanide silos. Large sections of walls and roofs in some places have collapsed entirely, while much of the steel was removed for use during World War II. Still, the corrosion has not stopped folks from visiting this four-story landmark.
Everywhere you turn there are cryptic messages and painted images serving as the centerpiece to a tranquil desert landscape. It’s the perfect location for photographers who wish to capture the beauty of destruction.
Located on BLM land, the dirt tracks leading up to the structure are accessible during daylight hours but entering the mill is illegal. Storey County Sheriffs often patrol the property and will cite anyone who trespasses.
In recent years, there have been debates circling about whether or not to demolish the ruins, however, funding issues have made that impossible. Despite many people seeing what’s left of the cyanide mill as simply a public safety hazard, others believe it is a significant aspect of Comstock history.
10 Photos of Amazing Places in the World We Can’t Believe Exist
- Cherry Blossom Street in Bonn, Germany
Cherry Blossom Street in Bonn, Germany
This street, Heerstrasse, is bound to stop traffic with cherry blossoms aligning both sides.
- Naica Mine, Mexico
Naica Mine, Mexico
Located in Chihuahua, Mexico, these caves of giant crystals can lead one to believe they’re in Superman’s celestial Arctic lair. It lies almost 900 feet below the surface of the Earth and contains, by far, the largest crystals in the world.
- Zhangye Danxia Landform, China
Zhangye Danxia Landform, China
The mountains of this landform are hidden in the Chinese frontier of Gansu province. The brilliantly colored mountains are a result of decades of tectonic activity and erosion and are completely free of vegetation.
- Hitachi Seaside Park, Japan
Hitachi Seaside Park, Japan
Hitachi Seaside Park, located in Hitachinaka, Japan, attracts tourists with its 8.6 acres of beautiful flowers. Annual visitors can enjoy a different variety of blossoming flowers each time.
- Mendenhall Ice Caves, Alaska
Mendenhall Ice Caves, Alaska
The famous glacier melts of Mendenhall are 12 miles long, 150 feet deep and half a mile wide. However, its real beauty is beneath, where a world of majestically colored ice caves is hidden.
- Lake Hillier, Australia
Lake Hillier, Australia
This bubble-gum pink lake can be seen on Middle Island in Western Australia. It’s about 600 meters long and surrounded by a rim of sand and eucalyptus trees.
- Salar de Uyuni: One of the World’s Largest Mirrors, Bolivia
Salar de Uyuni: One of the World’s Largest Mirrors, Bolivia
Salar de Uyuni (salt flat of Uyuni) is both the world’s largest salt flat and largest mirror. The 6,575 square mile flat reflects the gorgeous skies and animals of Bolivia.
- Tulip Fields, Netherlands
Tulip Fields, Netherlands
Each year from March till May the Dutch countryside transforms into rows of breathtaking flowers resembling the inside of a Crayola box. The first tulip was planted in 1593 and has been a national symbol ever since.
- Tunnel of Love, Ukraine
Tunnel of Love, Ukraine
This long and luscious leafy tunnel, found deep in the forest of the Ukraine, provides passage for a train that brings wood to a local factory. At about 1.8 miles long, this green tunnel received its name for being a popular spot for lovers’ promises.
- Wisteria Flower Tunnel, Japan
Wisteria Flower Tunnel, Japan
This tunnel serves as the main attraction to Kawachi Fuji Garden in Kitakyushu, Japan. Here, visitors walk through the tunnel and enjoy their enchanting and colorful surroundings.
