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Ely Daily Times 297 11th Street East (89301) P.O. Box 150820 (89315-0820) Ely, NV Phone: 775.289.4491 Fax: 775.289.4566 www.elynews.com
PUBLICATION: Every Firday Located in the high desert country of northeastern Nevada, the city of Ely spills out of Murry Canyon onto the floor of scenic Steptoe Valley, a land of sagebrush and pine. With a population of nearly 4,000, Ely is the county seat and principal shopping center of White Pine County, serving a population of about 9,500. It is the hub of several major state highways: 93, 50 and 6. Although agriculture and tourism are important, mining dominates the history of the area. Fortunes in gold, silver and copper, as well as a number of other lesser minerals, have been extracted from the area. Due to the nature of the mining industry, the area has survived the boom and bust of mineral discoveries and the establishment of gigantic mining operations. This trend continues today with the reintroduction of copper mining by Robinson Mining Co. near Ruth, NV, 8 miles west of Ely. This was the site of the former Kennecott Copper operation and its predecessor, Consolidated Copper. The resurgence of copper mining has also allowed the rebirth of the Northern Nevada Railroad, which will transport ore to a mill in Arizona. This activity has caused a subsequent increase in new housing and economic development for White Pine County. Another recent development was the establishment of a maximum security prison nearby. This facility employs more than 400 people and houses an inmate population of 1,000. The prison, mining, railroad and new businesses have combined to establish a stable workforce and payroll base that is expected to continue for many years. The Ely Times is published every Friday. Its forerunner was the Ely Daily Mining Expositor, which started in 1907 and published until 1914 when World War I and economic conditions forced it to become a weekly publication. The newspaper was revived in 1920 as a daily and was renamed the Ely Daily Times. Since that time, it has recorded the daily events of the community, as well as offering editorial encouragement and criticism along the way. The Donrey Media Group purchased the Times in 1951 along with the weekly Ely Record, which suspended publication in 1982. In 1964 Donrey remodeled the Ely plant and converted to offset printing. The Times was the first newspaper in eastern Nevada and the second in the state to convert to this modern newspaper printing process. The newspaper plant was remodeled again in 1994, but the building was destroyed in 1995 when a county ambulance crashed through the front office. A new Ely Daily Times building was completed in 1997. Ninety percent of the land in White Pine County is federally owned, which allows a lot of freedom to roam its picturesque hills and valleys. Camping, hiking, fishing and hunting are just a few of the activities local residents enjoy. In winter cross-country skiing is a popular sport. Because of the boom-and-bust history of the area, the local business community has tried hard to diversify its economy by promoting more tourism, a convention center and encouraging the location of new industry. A modern industrial park is located near town, ready to accept new enterprises. One of the area's most popular visitor attractions is the Great Basin National Park, located about an hour's drive from town. The park is also home of the Lehman Caves, filled with colorful and spectacular mineral formations. Other attractions include ghost towns, an old west museum, and a unique working short-line railroad and railroad museum. Authentic restored steam engines give railroad buffs a chance to ride the rails as they used to be, cinders and all. Would-be engineers may also purchase a ticket to actually run the engine, as well. Today, Ely and the surrounding community face an exciting future. With good, clean air and water, a new high school and community college, it is a good place to live and raise a family. |
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