The unincorporated town of Gerlach was settled in 1906, when the railroad came through, and its post office was established in 1909. The town was named for Louis Gerlach, owner of the Gerlach Land and Livestock Company and the Gerlach and Waltz Ranch. Gerlach was once a census-designated place, combined with Empire, as Gerlach-Empire, but the two communities were later separated. The town once had a population of greater than one thousand people, but it has declined considerably since the US Gypsum Mine closed in 2011. Today, a large portion of the town’s residents are retirees, or operate small private businesses, many Internet-based, due to the town’s remote location. The nearest incorporated town to Gerlach is Nixon, about sixty miles to the south. Gerlach was a film location for the 1989 movie, Far From Home, and the 1926 film, The Winning of Barbara Worth, Gary Cooper’s first credited movie.
Recommended Resources
Features a vacation rental in Gerlach, Nevada, offering a description of the facility, photographs, a list of amenities, rates, and contact data.
http://www.blackrockbungalow.com/
Using a wiki format, the page offers a profile of the Nevada town and its population, along with an aerial photograph, demographics, and references.
http://blackrockdesert.org/wiki/index.php?title=Gerlach
Situated on Main Street, the Gerlach, Nevada business offers gas, towing services, and storage facilities. Its location, hours, and a description of its storage options are highlighted.
http://www.brunosshell.com/
Hosted on the Burning Man site, the webcam shows a frequently refreshed view of the water tower and a portion of the small downtown area of Gerlach, Nevada.
http://gerlach-webcam.burningman.com/
Maintained by the Gerlach General Improvement District, the site offers a guide to the community, including its history, area attractions and events, lodging facilities, restaurants, photographs, video, and a web cam.
http://www.gerlachnevada.com/
Iveson Ranch and Wildlife Preserve
The 320-acre Old West homestead site is located in Gerlach, at the edge of the Black Rock Desert and the Hualapai Valley, offering rooms and RV space. The accommodations and camping space are highlighted, with testimonials and contacts.
http://www.ivesonranch.com/
Soldier Meadows Ranch and Lodge
The working cattle ranch and lodge is located in Gerlach, a few hours north of Reno, Nevada. Its features, history, rates, contacts, and a map showing its location are published to the site.
http://www.soldiermeadows.com/
