I never thought I'd make a point to visit a cemetery on a road trip but here I am and I have to say I really enjoyed the visit to the Tonopah Cemetery. The graves are pretty rough due to their age. Pretty bare in terms of headstones as well, and in a way very grim, but I guess dying isn't lavish. The deaths; a lot of them, are very sad and tragic: children dying at childbirth, illnesses, murder, and more. The cemetery is located next to the Clown Motel so you get a two for one in terms of tourist spots. It's free so worth a stop If you Google the cemetery you can find more information on some of the dead. It's eerie. It's a bit creepy, but it is still 100% respectful to visit this folks who have died long before us. read more

See all

Mood - History of course This Cemetery is considered to be the newer cemetery opposed to the other one everyone talks about. The original one is next to the Clown Motel - aka Old Tonopah Cemetery. In 1911 the deathrate was was so high and the original cemetery kept being overwashed by tailings from the Mine Extension, destroying graves and headstones. So they needed a new space to lay those of the town to rest. The Tonopah Mine Extension donated the land to prevent the cemetery from expanding. A US Congressman by the name of Alexander Hardy is interred here as of 1927. Currently there are 2779 memorials. Would def recommend if your into history and learning how other towns and places of the past run things. It is free. Plots are still available for a reasonable price, offering many different burial options. Location is Veterans Memorial HWY/ Radar Rd - ample parking read more

See all

It may seem strange to review a cemetery, but it is a tourist attraction in this area because of it's age. I'm always interested in old cemeteries, but I knew this one was going to be next door to the clown motel so I was definitely going to check it out. It's just really interesting to read some of the grave markers and just overall a very interesting experience. They also have cataloged a lot of these and you can easily look up different people who's grave you may find here. To me that's really fascinating. I like that you can learn a bit more about the people who once lived in the area a long time ago. Anyway, if you want to go pay your respects to the departed this is a great place to do so. It's easy to locate since it's right next door to the clown motel. read more

See all

While I do not think a cemetery is a tourist attraction, there is a lot of history in places like these. This cemetery has the cause of death noted for most of the graves. Some graves are unmarked and some just have a name. You can also see who much immigration there was due to mining opportunities, people coming from Alaska, Finland and other countries is quite impressive. You can learn there was some big mine fire on February 1911, there is a section where cause of death was "mine fire" "fighting fire" and some other more unusual ones such as "was drug before having jewelry robbed" "Hart failure" read more

See all

Let me explain why the sign above the entrance of the cemetery says "Tonopah Cemetery 1901 to 1911". This info is straight from their free brochure which you can get from the Clown Motel and at the entrance of the cemetery. "The first burial in the Old Tonopah Cemetery was in May of 1901. In 1911, the tailings from the Tonopah Extension Mill were washing over and destroying the graves. The Tonopah Extension Mine donated property for the new Tonopah Cemetery, and burials at the Old Cemetery ceased." Located right next to the Clown Motel, you cant miss this place at all. As if the motel itself isnt already a treat to check out, the cemetery has lots of history to tell you just by looking at all the inscriptions on the head stones if there is any for some are unmarked. Those are the ones that usually just have a white wooden cross. There are about 300 people buried here according to the same brochure. Admission is free although there is a donation box at the entrance which goes to some form of maintenance. This cemetery is not fancy but expect the historical aspect of it to be rich in information. The causes of death range from murder, suicide, diseases (typhoid, diptheria, pneumonia), the Belmont Mine Fire, and other mine associated accidents. In closing, this place is interesting to check out along with the Clown Motel. Only 30 minutes from Goldfield and 3 hours from Las Vegas. Make this as part of a turn around day trip unless you plan on staying at the Clown Motel.These two places are part of a handful of places to check out in the town of Tonopah. The new cemetery address is just down the street at 940 North Main St. Yelp 2020 Review #34 830 overall read more

See all