On The Ghost Town Trail With Hoss . Deer Lodge , Nevada .

[HOSSNV]

Deer Lodge must certainly quafly as a forgotten place as it has been over 40 years since voices were heard in this pretty valley . At 7000 ' and hidden amongst the Junipier and Pinion Pine Deer Lodge Canyon has been home to man for hundreds if not thousands of years as evidenced by the obsidian points and shards scattered about . But our story today focuses on one family the Hacketts true pioneers . In 1900 Grandpa and Grandma Hackett thier son Everest and his wife Sarah left the comfort of a safe life in Salt Lake City , Utah in search of a place they could call thier own . Understand that in 1900 much of Nevada was still unmapped........ and untamed . When the Hacketts arrived they went to work building two sturdy log cabins ...... and soon children were born . Everest and Sarah had two boys ond one girl Hebert the oldest then Edward and thier little sister Helen . Mining fever was still sweeping across the West and the Hackett men caught it like everyone else . Searching the hills they managed to find a rich outcrop and brought out enough ore to support the growing clan but the veins proved to be shallow and soon petred out . The Hacketts had to find another way to make money and this would be through cattle . Starting out small they soon had 400 head and were able to sell beef to the surrounding mining camps and towns . Grandma Hackett had a large garden and apple trees and soon the Hacketts were able to offer fresh fruits and vegetables along with eggs and chicken to the hungry miners . Life was good there was even enough money left for the boys to buy a car . But events were happening in far away places that would inpact the Hacketts in a way they could have never imagined ...... war . They had read the newspapers about Hitler invading Poland and France and of Japan attacking China , but surley the Untied States would not become invovled ..... would they ? Then on a quiet Sunday morning December 7 , 1941 war came to America and to Deer Lodge Valley when Japannese forces attacked the Untied States Fleet anchored at Pearl Harbor , Hawaii . The Hackett kids never afraid of a fight joined up .... all 3 of them . They would all serve honorably..... but two would not come home alive ...... Herbert the oldest was killed in action on the shores of Sicily with the US Army . Edward was killed in training accident in Oregon , the brothers died within days of each other . Helen served through the war as a radio opreator for the US Army Air Force and would return to Nevada and her beloved Deer Lodge and live a long happy life . The property passed out of the Hackett family in 1960 and is now in private hands . This concludes our trip to Deer Lodge , Thanks a heap for coming along ! Hope you had a good time ! Hoss

 

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[Mackaydon]

You weave a great story, Hoss.
About the only thing that remains there is the history, and you told it well.
Is the Hackett Cemetary still on the northside?
Keep traveling and telling those stories; makes me itch to do it again, myself.
Don.....

 

[Catobra]

Great story-great pics-very lucky to be able to wander around there!

 

[JeromeAz]

A year later and its still a great story! Love the pictures!

 

[DesertCruiser]

HOSSNV I know this is a little late, by a couple years? Maybe you like to see this, as it's more recent and there are now "no trespassing" signs all over, and yes the old cemeteryDeer Lodge Ghost Town, Canyon and gold mines in Eastern Nevada is still there and intact. Here's something from our trip.

 

[HOSSNV]

Howdy DC . And yes I am aware of the no trespassing signs , they have been there for some time . This is one of my favorite places in central Nevada . I try to make an annual pilgrimage there .... and yes I do obey the signs and urge others to do the same . I did not respond to Mackaydons question about the graveyard because I have learned this is a magnet for the lunatic fringe i.e. the occult , Devil worshippers and such . I have even been in an armed confrontation with these kind of people and when you are alone and there are 8 of them it is good to have Mr Colt with you . Don and I are good friends and have been for several years he knows if I don't respond to something there is a good reason for it . As far as your survey goes .... I am not opposed to naming the places I post . My position on this is . Public land is for the PUBLIC , that is all of us ... period . I understand that there are those who want to destroy and cause mayhem , but is denying access to everyone the solution ? I think not . And that is what's happening . No I don't have a solution . I defer to anyone who does . Thanks for taking a peak ! Hoss
PS . To my friends . I have some posts I will try and get up over this weekend . Have been dealing with some health issues .

 

[L.C. BAKER]

Great pictures of a very unique place, very interesting stuff thanks for posting them.

L.C.

 

[A2coins]

Great post loved reading it hope your health gets better quick. Thanks for sharing that. Tommy