Subject: Our Winnemucca Nevada Ghost Town Expeditions - March 11 -13th 2016
Date: 4/8/2016 3:38:28 PM Pacific Standard Time
From: LordOfThyNight@aol.com
To: ParanormalBuffalo@yahoogroups.com, ParanormalGhostSociety@googlegroups.com, paranormalghostsociety@yahoogroups.com, ParanormalGhostSocietyConnections@yahoogroups.com, TheParanormalGhostSociety@yahoogroups.com, SupernaturalFlorida@yahoogroups.com, ParanormalCalifornia@yahoogroups.com, ParanormalNevada@yahoogroups.com, Paranormalflorida@yahoogroups.com, sierraparanormal@yahoogroups.com, PGSPhantoms@yahoogroups.com

Paradise Valley (City) Nevada

aka Scottsville
 
I woke up before the sunrise it was dark out almost forgot we had to switch the clocks on over and Spring ahead. It was very foggy out some level of rain as well you could tell that the storm just passed through the area therefore I figured it may have snowed and we might have limited access to ghost towns in the area such as Buckskin which is above this valley.
 
Paradise Valley at one time was called Scottsdale eventually changed to Paradise City then it took its final name currently which is named after the valley due to its heavy ranching. I love this semi ghost town its this little ranching community most of downtown however is abandoned despite that in the 1800's this place was bustling and could have become a major city in Nevada.
 
This is really a true ghost town it has everything you could ever want a river that flows through the town, old creepy abandoned buildings, town cemetery, artifacts everywhere from the past, tales of Indian Raids and even a fort which now resides on a historic ranches property. One of the first Europeans came through here in the earlier 1800's setting on eyes on this valley long before it was settled therefore yes its very very old here.
 
Think of something like Smallville perhaps from Superman ranches have windmills and its very quaint. People who live here live in a valley created by the beautiful snow capped Santa Rosa and Snowstorm Mountains. Its a part of Nevada not many know about and few ever get to see unless your willing to take that lonely road deep into the heart of this valley. You wont find any websites about the place and its not talked about allot so its a good addition to our site to get people exploring this place with their friends and family.
 
At one time their was some kind of stage station before you entered town to water down your horses and bunk up for the night but it no longer exist. However downtown Paradise their is an old horse carriage which was in use when a station existed here. Every site within this valley has so much history. It might be a carriage, mine cart, ranch, house or just remnants of the fort. I learned allot about this town such as that it has some underground areas to explore but also that without it perhaps the other wealthy boom towns in the area may not have existed.
 
I love working with ghost towns because I get a bit of everything offroading, adventure, scenery, wildlife, history etc. This one here is perhaps a best kept secret therefore I would see some things here that you normally would not see in other boom towns. I will say though the weather was not that great there was fog all over, dark skies, very chilly etc. We were just a couple days away from St. Patties so I was wearing my green top hat for this one which is okay at times I thought I was in Ireland hiking under the towns large trees near the Humboldt River.
 
If you look out into the valley any areas huge patches of Cottonwoods grow are often the site of old large historic ranches. Some of them country homes are gorgeous you kind of wish you lived in one. I mean this is a part of the wild west most people do not know about and so when you see such big country mansions from the 1800's you tend to realize that they were around when the Titanic Sank or when the natives waged war on these mining towns.
 
Along the way which is just a single road in and out you can clearly see many smaller creeks and plenty of cattle/horses. This is a very wet valley during the Spring its green and full of flowers. Of course being it was still winter when I was here not so much. But while driving down the road I seen many birds whether they were nerve wrecked about the storm coming in could have played a factor afterall it was snow flurrying all day here.
 
I parked downtown which at one time was full of stores, hotels, saloons and other businesses. Today not so much many of the old buildings are gone along the river. But some of them still remain and quite a few are abandoned but were boarded up due to vandals. Like I said people ruin things for everyone here as opposed to me going in buildings to film or take photos others go in just to trash the place.
 
I parked at this old adobe homestead and between a old white mansion with a porch. Both homes were nice very large and what it told me is you have a few different eras when the town was built. As a matter in fact you had homes that were Victorian just as you had ones built of wood, adobe, brick and stone. It just varied depending on where you were at down town.
 
I have to say the cottonwoods from the old time pictures were much smaller back in the 1800's then they are now. Some of the trees that grow downtown are the largest I seen in Nevada. Trust me when it takes five or eight folks to hold hands just to surround an entire tree your dealing with trees that grew when the constitution was written and growing when the Revolutionary war transpired. The town has gorgeous trees not always typical of remote Nevada but here they grow all along the river nearby.
 
Their is an old fire station with a rig parked in front of it nearby also a barn near the river which goes under Main Street. The stonework downtown is amazing all the way from the walls along the river to some of the stairwells and foundations downtown. You can see the Masons had quite a presence here such walls were built in the 1800's and are still holding up.
 
Downtown has a couple smaller cabins one is abandoned the other is being used by some ranch. One can imagine that not everyone who lived here had a mansion. Most folks here were ranchers others owned businesses while some may have had stakes in local mining found in the mountains.
 
There was this giant concrete building downtown it had three stories if you include the attic and a basement. Were not sure if it was an old hotel or what but I looked through a hole and seen allot of historical vintage type of items inside as if someone was using the lower floor for storage. The buildings are all boarded so its hard to know what each one was or what was inside but I can speculate based on writing above the doors such as one structure you could make out the words saloon.
 
Their was quite a few pigeons on the roofs especially on this older wooden building I found at the end of an alley that looked more like a watch tower. There is also these three buildings all connected to one another which appear to be a store, hotel and saloon but all with separate entrances.
 
It was a brisk morning so Tammy decided to go rest in the Jeep meanwhile I decided to set out to do what I was meant to do which is explore some of the older buildings downtown in alleys or behind the back side which are areas so very few get to see. But these old structures downtown are the oldest in existence as they reside right on the river. You can still see the old walkways downtown and everything is more spread out because this valley was not confined like some of these towns built in smaller canyons.
 
I went down an alley way to the back of the four to five historic structures downtown. I have to say the back side looks allot different that is because it sits on a hill. Therefore on the back side you can look into the basements which all have bars on them. I even found an old outhouse leaning on its side right by the river which curves to the southeast as you can see ranches and homes along it. Its very serene to say the least and across the river is a house that has a snowmobile up in a tree which is strange in itself.
 
There are giant windows without boards on the backside as a matter in fact wood siding looks original compared to the front of downtown's buildings. I spent a good deal of time near the river where I found this small hole that went underground maybe a tunnel system here? It was just odd I could not fit down into it. You can also stand below the walls to the cellars on the backside of these buildings. I just did not realize at first I could ever locate a way inside of them but guess what? I did! I always tell others I do far better work in my field if I am alone believe me then have others tag along and inhibit my ability to explore or find a few secrets.
 
I found this big iron door in an alley on the hillside which I had opened up and it ran under the hill. It was a giant arched room made of stone very cold, dark and spider webs. I thought man if it closes behind me it may not end well because at first I did not know where this might lead or what it was. I seen an old wood bench or table with a beer bottle on top. I have no idea if this was cold storage or if they smoked meat down here. The flooring had dirt while the rest of the room was stone.
 
In the alley I found two entrance which led to the cellars of these three big structures downtown. They ran under the saloon, hotel and store. Actually both basements ran parallel to eachother but when go inside you begin to seen areas that were sealed off. Its obvious this was all one cellar then as businesses may have later been bought up separately therefore the basements could have been renovated or sealed off to divide them for privacy.
 
The first cellars I entered ran under all three structures but only 50 percent of them did. The first room had what appeared to be some brick oven or old furnace. I have no idea why an oven or stove would be in the basement maybe they had a broiler or something down here then redirected the heat upstairs. The second room was just a big empty stone room but there was a wall with newer concrete that had been sealed with two small windows with iron bars. I looked in the window and it looked like there was a small room on the other side with a set of old very dusty wood stairs.
 
The third room in the back was the darkest it did not have any windows with bars so that the morning light could get in. This room had some weird chute also in it but the chute was filled with dirt, rock, mud etc. I was in the cellars for a long time did feel a few cold spots and watched the entire time. I been doing this a long time and something is in this basement. I always felt while taking photos and footage down here something was lurking in the darkest part of the cellar just watching me. Sometimes your mind plays tricks you look all the way down the corridor to the last room and swear you seen something standing in the doorway.
 
The cellars I was in had only one way out a few times I looked out a window putting my hands around the bars just imagining how lucky I am. Not everyone gets to go underground in a ghost town its very rare trust me. Then again not many ghost towns have old saloons and hotels with basements you can explore. So this was a treat I toked up a bowl of Girl Scout Cookies bud and I savored this ghosthunt.
 
 If you ever were to get creeped out this would be the place. Their was some holes in the wood floor above where sunlight peered in. I could not see the upstairs to well but what I seen appeared to be an old stove which means these structures may house some historical remnants of the past left behind when the town went kind of bust!
 
I left the alley deciding to enter into another door which led me into the second half of the basement below the three connected buildings. You could see fresh brick was laid but it did not go to the top it actually surrounded this small room behind the oven found in another part of the cellars. Inside this room their was a stairwell it was very steep and led me to a door. I thought hey this is it ill be able to explore the two stories above me however it was locked.
 
Above the door was a small wood frame which looked into the halls and I heard something move. Now keep in mind nobody is here the structures are all boarded up. But it sounded like something or someone stepped on broken glass on the wooden floor on the other side of this door. No less it was a bit strange and I wish I could have explored more but between sealed cellars and boarded buildings it put a damper on my access. Based on my exploration there are two other hidden rooms in the cellars I believe the only access to them would be from the buildings above me as one of those hidden rooms had stairs going to the first floor.
 
It felt good to get some fresh air I was in those cellars far to long. When I came out I seen on the building which has the most accessible cellars the word saloon written in red paint. If you go around to the front it says Micca Saloon then newer paint is on top of it saying Korral Bar. So it has changed hands a few times and in my opinion its a pretty spooky place especially under the town. The stone work is all original very old and well in my opinion this was a rare opportunity to see something really unique for our group to experience.
 
If you had down Main street there is also a old house it has some old red two story tower its a bit strange but this is the second tower looking structure I seen. Downtown is split into two different sections I was working on the second one when I found this structure. The second part of downtown contains the Post Office, Old estates and even a place called the Paradise Mercantile which today is a saloon all made out of stone originally. The Post Office has a burn barrel with a grate over it so that they can grill lol. You  kind of see things like this in these old school towns. Hell downtown had one of those old phone booths you can go in and make a call. Behind the post office is one of the largest cottonwood trees I have ever seen and even a small windmill so definitely Paradise lives up to its name!
 
There is a plaque downtown which covers some of the history but also an old fire wagon, bicycle, wagons, ore carts etc. You have to get out on foot walk around and then you will have a chance to see some of the history downtown. Nobody was really outside we seen a lady on a small four wheeler driving around patrolling the streets. There are no cops here you are the law so you have to follow the simple rules of the wild west. Life is simple here people enjoy the serenity and I did too. The saloon was not open yet for beers plus it was to early.
 
I also seen a school its not that old but its old school in the sense that the building is a bit dreary looking back then when schools looked more like prisons. The basketball hoops were a bit old rusting in the elements but it was a cute little place for kids to play with big trees and a playground. The old schoolhouse is gone but back in the 1800's allot of young children lived in this valley. Its easy to take a breather and try to understand that the view they once seen I now was looking at. Not much has changed except that this is no longer a bustling big town like during its hey day.
 
I had the chance to sit back for a half hour eagle watching for some reason there was at least four different eagles at one time up in a tree how cool is that? If you look for nature you will find it so I always look up as well because Nevada has allot of unique bird life. The eagles were up in the tree swooping down at small prey below in a field. It was fascinating to watch and a great part of the morning to take a break.
 
If you also drive around there are many historic ranches and barns. I seen allot of old farm equipment and rusty cars as I made my way to the town cemetery. Its out near some ranches so the cattle and horses can come right up to it really. The cemetery was just a couple acres in size not very large while all the older historic interments were in the back newer burials were to the front.
 
They had a few really pretty angel statues but the flag was so frilled and ripped that it was pitiful and needs to be replaced. There is a shady section towards the upper left portion of the cemetery where the oldest stones are found from the pioneer days. Many of the stones are beautifully carved some are on the ground others are against are tree. Some stones did suffer from vandalism or were broken in half. In the center of the cemetery was a few tall stone monuments.
 
Its a quaint little place I could hear the cows mooing off the distance. Many of the burials found here are that of ranchers. You can find more then often plenty of family plots. With the beautiful Santa Rosa Mountains backdropping it covered in snow this was a great little exploration. Visiting these ghost town cemeteries is bigger then almost seeing the town. You get to visit with some of the earliest pioneers who first set eyes on these gorgeous remote places.
 
It was getting cold it was more or less a very dry storm coming through bringing cold brisk weather with hardly any precipitation. Well it was snowing hardcore on the peaks you could see it halfway down the range but the valley for the most part was just dry. I did see a few snow flakes time to time and thought man here we go again. I swear these past few months we have had some crazy snowy adventures in ghost towns like Belmont. Despite that factor I seen some ducks in a pond nearby downtown and allot of other bird life. I bet in weeks to come it flourishes with the warming weather coming.
 
I did drive around the town seen if their was anything I missed and sure enough I found this old adobe building with wooden cargo doors on it. This probably was an old mill which was surrounded by marshland and giant trees. Something caught my eye when I pulled up to the mill and it turned out there was a nice group of deer grazing behind it. I actually had gotten out and they let me get close to them. They were all younger deer so they were curious as I was. Some of them did go into the brush to dine on some lunch then two horses joined them to check me out. The deer and the horses back here were friendly perhaps because back here there are so very few threats to them therefore they kind of are curious about humans. I do not think the horses were wild but the one seemed to be talking to me lol.
 
I sought off to conduct a little journey through the valley first place I would look for was Fort Winfield Scott. Many of the old buildings the army built here in the 1860's still stands some stone some wood. Problem is that it resides on private property. You may be able to see it from the road I do not know because the directions and information I had was wrong. Its listed in both my ghost town guides pictures and even history. But after driving past a few private roads past some ranches any of those old structures could have been it. The fort was built to protect the ranchers who came to this valley to raise food for the miners in the mining camps in the Santa Rosa Range.
 
There is a road that goes north it gets real rugged but if veers off into the Santa Rosa Range for twenty miles through this beautiful canyon. The problem was is the road was out but if you take it the full twenty miles you can go to one of the wealthiest gold mining boom towns in Nevada known as Buckskin. I really wanted to go there its at the highest point in the range which means basically where you see it snowing is where the town is and well lets just say the snow looked very deep. Their were signs saying the road was out and well you could also hit it on the other side of the range along the way to National where we were going next I was doubtful we would ever reach this place due to the storm.
 
However the further you go north as the Santa Rosa Range crosses the road ahead of you there is a beautiful canyon which takes you into the heart of these mountains Not much is out here because once you start going into the mountains the ranches taper off. I spent about two hours driving all over the valley down dirt roads. I even found a sign for Chimney Reservoir. But see its not really that historic so I did not waste the twenty mile side trip. I did however drive out to some old ranches to photograph. I found this one old mansion in the remote part of the valley which had been abandoned and everything was left behind. I did not go onto the property due to time constraints and having to make it up to another ghost town. The ravens on the fence post all along this road added to the whole creepy effect I suppose.
 
Supposedly their is also an old flour mill in the valley its listed in my guides and on a few websites but we never found it. Strangely we have two different old B&W photos of it but both have different geological features nearby and we were not able to find either. Maybe it does not stand its an old brick mill but I did see some photos online which leads me to believe I just could not find it. It may have been up in the hills above the valley further I ended up turning around because with the storm coming in and at least another 50 mile trek to National I could not spend my entire day looking for it. I can however post the old time photos I have to our site when I add this location.
 
I found a few canals in the valley most traverse or meander along ranches or open meadows where cattle graze. There was these prairie dogs all along the road here that peep there heads out of the ground when you drive past. I spent over an hour trying to get one of them on film and photography. I did succeed but that was of course after I stopped looking and happened to turn a corner seeing one by the road chilling. They get startled so easy so they are not easy to photograph plus they move fast so when I finally did get my prized picture I celebrated with some bud in my bowl.Life is only good if you can reward yourself time to time.
 
I did go back downtown to drive around one last time and on your way heading out of the valley there is an old church which has some beautiful stained glass. As a matter in fact their are two churches near one another both with the original bells and steeples. I remember earlier when I was exploring the bells tolled at I think it was 9am. One church is made out of stone the other one is wood both are very historic. The stone one I actually found a passage that took me into a small stone room or cellar with a table. The stone one also has more articulate stained glass in the front and is a little larger of a congregation.
 
If you wander around both churches there is a few old remnants of the past including a couple wood wagons that are over a 100 years in age. The one wagon had a flag attached to it on a pole which was ripped and blowing in the wind. With all these torn up American Flags I am thinking that the weather in the winter here is not very kind to the people who brave it. One of the wagons I seen had a pile of deer and elk antlers in the back of it.
 
Across from the stone church is the Hulboldt County Ranger station for the region. The old wood cabins and series of structures found here are old. I did not walk around there are rangers who live on site but when they are open you can get information about the Humboldt National Forest which btw is found all throughout the Santa Rosa Mountains which overshadow this town and its valley. Its different country here I mean your not even far from Oregon or Idaho really so for us its all new country.
 
I left the valley feeling complete kind of a funny story as there is a Chevron Gas Station and mart before you enter this valley. Well I kept every few hours between ghost towns going here to get drinks or get more gas for my jeep. Its funny to walk into these remote semi ghost towns because people back here may never have seen a gothic looking guy like me with black nails, long hair etc etc. So sometimes I do get some strange looks but to get them four times each time going in there with a different hat on must had confused the hell out of them. I am a man of many hats but I had fun messing with the ladies at the gas station still the same man just wearing allot of hats.
 
Believe it or not the highway as lonely as it is that splits at Paradise Valley does have at least a gas station then another one just a half hour from there at another small town. But still even though they have a few out this way once you leave the highway its all dirt roads, vast expanses and deep canyons. So as a safety reminder if you decide to venture into the Santa Rosa Range or other mountain ranges like the Snowstorm Range you better fuel up. I was carrying it all shovel, new jack, fire wood, food, water, survival gear etc because you never know weather here can change in a heartbeat and storms are fierce.
 
This is one of the prettiest valleys in Nevada you guys are in for a treat. I spent allot of money to do expeditions like this so that way you could enjoy photos and video be a part of something great. Just like any place I go you could spend years exploring it. This is a vast valley allot of mountains and historic remnants if you seek it out. I bet some of those ranches and mansions have there own ghost stories. I read that some of the structures down town are haunted just like I heard Jumbo is another town that had gotten some of its supplies from Paradise Valley.
 
Paradise Valley supplied towns like Davey's Town, Jumbo, National and Buckskin with supplies. Vegetables and livestock raised here were exported to these mining towns in the region. As a matter in fact one of the only roads on into Buckskin and it was a very crazy trek which crossed creeks through this lush canyon. Therefore many pioneers would stock up in Paradise before heading into the range. So we have allot of history here and its one of those ghost towns not allot of folks know about or its relevance. I try to bring our viewers these places put them on the map make them more known that way their is greater efforts to preserve them in the process of educating others.
 
This was a great expedition but it was the middle of the afternoon and after offroading around the valley for awhile we split. Like I said that Chevron had me as a customer a few times having to fill up and all on gas. Our next trek would take us back around the southern portion of the Santa Rosa Range then northbound on the other side of the valley to the ghost town of National.

Lord Rick

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