Gerlach–Empire, Nevada: Difference between revisions

Coordinates: 40°37′22″N 119°20′29″W / 40.62278°N 119.34139°W / 40.62278; -119.34139
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{{Infobox settlement
{{Infobox settlement
|official_name = Gerlach–Empire, Nevada
|official_name = Gerlach–Empire, Nevada
|settlement_type = [[Census-designated place|CDP]]
|settlement_type = Former [[Census-designated place|CDP]]
|nickname =
|nickname =
|motto =
|motto =
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<!-- Location -->
<!-- Location -->
|subdivision_type = [[List of sovereign states|Country]]
|coordinates_region = US-NV
|subdivision_type = [[List of countries|Country]]
|subdivision_name = United States
|subdivision_name = [[United States]]
|subdivision_type1 = [[U.S. state|State]]
|subdivision_type1 = [[Political divisions of the United States|State]]
|subdivision_name1 = [[Nevada]]
|subdivision_name1 = [[Nevada]]
|subdivision_type2 =
|subdivision_type2 =
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<!-- Area -->
<!-- Area -->
|unit_pref = Imperial
|unit_pref = Imperial
|area_footnotes =
|area_footnotes =
|area_magnitude =
|area_magnitude =
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<!-- Population -->
<!-- Population -->
|population_as_of = [[United States Census, 2000|2000]]
|population_as_of = [[2000 United States Census|2000]]
|population_footnotes =
|population_footnotes =
|population_total = 499
|population_total = 499
⚫
|population_density_km2 = auto
Population as of 2011 = 111
⚫
|population_density_sq_mi =
⚫
|population_density_km2 = 2.0
⚫
|population_density_sq_mi = 5.3


<!-- General information -->
<!-- General information -->
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|elevation_m =
|elevation_m =
|elevation_ft =
|elevation_ft =
|coordinates_display = display=inline,title
|coordinates = {{coord|40|37|22|N|119|20|29|W|region:US-NV|display=inline,title}}
|latd = 40 |latm = 37 |lats = 22 |latNS = N
|postal_code_type =
|longd = 119 |longm = 20 |longs = 29 |longEW = W
|postal_code =

<!-- Area/postal codes & others -->
|postal_code_type = [[ZIP code]]s
|postal_code = 89405 ''(decommissioned)''
|area_code = [[Area code 775|775]]
|area_code = [[Area code 775|775]]
|blank_name = [[Federal Information Processing Standard|FIPS code]]
|blank_name = [[Federal Information Processing Standard|FIPS code]]
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|website =
|website =
}}
}}
[[File:Gerlach, Nevada.jpg|thumb|Post office in Gerlach]]

'''Gerlach–Empire''' is a [[census-designated place]] (CDP) in [[Washoe County, Nevada|Washoe County]], [[Nevada]], [[United States]]. The combined population was 499 at the [[United States Census 2000|2000 census]]. A former [[company town]] for [[USG Corporation|United States Gypsum Corporation]], Empire was once home to more than 750&nbsp;people. It is part of the [[Reno, Nevada|Reno]]&ndash;[[Sparks, Nevada|Sparks]] [[Reno-Sparks metropolitan area|Metropolitan Statistical Area]]. Most of the population lives in the two tiny settlements of Gerlach, a neighboring hamlet with fewer than 200&nbsp;people that shares its schools with Empire; the rest live on outlying rural ranching properties. The nearest town, [[Nixon, Nevada|Nixon]], is 60&nbsp;miles to the south on a reservation owned by the [[Pyramid Lake Indian Reservation|Pyramid Lake Paiute Tribe]].
'''Gerlach–Empire''' was a [[census-designated place]] (CDP) in [[Washoe County, Nevada|Washoe County]], [[Nevada]], United States. It was replaced by the separate CDPs of [[Gerlach, Nevada|Gerlach]] and [[Empire, Nevada|Empire]] for the 2010 census. The combined population was 499 at the [[2000 United States Census|2000 census]]. A former [[company town]] for [[USG Corporation|United States Gypsum Corporation]], Empire was once home to more than 750&nbsp;people. It is part of the [[Reno, Nevada|Reno]]&ndash;[[Sparks, Nevada|Sparks]] [[Reno-Sparks metropolitan area|Metropolitan Statistical Area]]. Most of the population lives in the two tiny settlements of Gerlach, a neighboring hamlet with fewer than 200&nbsp;people that shares its schools with Empire; the rest live on outlying rural ranching properties. The nearest town, [[Nixon, Nevada|Nixon]], is 60&nbsp;miles to the south on a reservation owned by the [[Pyramid Lake Indian Reservation|Pyramid Lake Paiute Tribe]].


==Geography==
==Geography==
According to the [[United States Census Bureau]], the CDP has a total area of {{convert|94.1|mi2|abbr=on}}, all land. Its elevation is {{convert|3946|ft|abbr=on}}.
According to the [[United States Census Bureau]], the CDP in 2000 had a total area of {{convert|94.1|mi2|abbr=on}}, all land. Its elevation is {{convert|3946|ft|abbr=on}}.


==Demographics==
==Demographics==
As of the [[census]]{{GR|2}} of 2000, there were 499 people, 234 households, and 146&nbsp;families residing in the CDP. The [[population density]] was 5.3&nbsp;people per square mile (2.0/km<sup>2</sup>). There were 297 housing units at an average density of 3.2 per square mile (1.2/km<sup>2</sup>). The racial makeup of the CDP was 91.18% [[White (U.S. Census)|White]], 2.81% [[Native American (U.S. Census)|Native American]], 0.20% [[Asian (U.S. Census)|Asian]], 4.61% from [[Race (United States Census)|other races]], and 1.20% from two or more races. [[Hispanic (U.S. Census)|Hispanic]] or [[Latino (U.S. Census)|Latino]] of any race were 11.02% of the population.
As of the [[census]]<ref name="GR2">{{cite web |url=https://www.census.gov |publisher=[[United States Census Bureau]] |accessdate=2008-01-31 |title=U.S. Census website }}</ref> of 2000, there were 499 people, 234 households, and 146&nbsp;families residing in the CDP. The [[population density]] was 5.3&nbsp;people per square mile (2.0/km<sup>2</sup>). There were 297 housing units at an average density of {{convert|3.2|/sqmi|/km2|sp=us|adj=off}}. The racial makeup of the CDP was 91.18% [[White (U.S. Census)|White]], 2.81% [[Native American (U.S. Census)|Native American]], 0.20% [[Asian (U.S. Census)|Asian]], 4.61% from [[Race (United States Census)|other races]], and 1.20% from two or more races. [[Hispanic (U.S. Census)|Hispanic]] or [[Latino (U.S. Census)|Latino]] of any race were 11.02% of the population.


There were 234 households out of which 26.1% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 48.3% were [[Marriage|married couples]] living together, 9.8% had a female householder with no husband present, and 37.2% were non-families. 34.2% of all households were made up of individuals and 6.8% had someone living alone who was 65&nbsp;years of age or older. The average household size was 2.13 and the average family size was 2.71.
There were 234 households, out of which 26.1% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 48.3% were [[Marriage|married couples]] living together, 9.8% had a female householder with no husband present, and 37.2% were non-families. 34.2% of all households were made up of individuals, and 6.8% had someone living alone who was 65&nbsp;years of age or older. The average household size was 2.13 and the average family size was 2.71.


In the CDP the population was spread out with 22.6% under the age of 18, 7.0% from 18 to 24, 31.5% from 25 to 44, 29.5% from 45 to 64, and 9.4% who were 65&nbsp;years of age or older. The median age was 38&nbsp;years. For every 100&nbsp;females there were 116.0&nbsp;males. For every 100&nbsp;females age&nbsp;18 and over, there were 120.6&nbsp;males.
In the CDP, the population was spread out, with 22.6% under the age of 18, 7.0% from 18 to 24, 31.5% from 25 to 44, 29.5% from 45 to 64, and 9.4% who were 65&nbsp;years of age or older. The median age was 38&nbsp;years. For every 100&nbsp;females there were 116.0&nbsp;males. For every 100&nbsp;females age&nbsp;18 and over, there were 120.6&nbsp;males.


The median income for a household in the CDP was $35,088, and the median income for a family was $43,125. Males had a median income of $36,000 versus $23,056 for females. The [[per capita income]] for the CDP was $14,793. About 10.3% of families and 14.6% of the population were below the [[poverty line]], including 15.8% of those under age&nbsp;18 and 12.7% of those age&nbsp;65 or over.
The median income for a household in the CDP was $35,088, and the median income for a family was $43,125. Males had a median income of $36,000 versus $23,056 for females. The [[per capita income]] for the CDP was $14,793. About 10.3% of families and 14.6% of the population were below the [[poverty line]], including 15.8% of those under age&nbsp;18 and 12.7% of those age&nbsp;65 or over.

==Economy==
The economies of Gerlach and Empire focus on tourism in the nearby [[Black Rock Desert]], and hunting. [[Gypsum]] mining was the historic staple of the local economy until 2011. Empire was the classic [[company town]] of the [[USG Corporation|United States Gypsum Corporation]] (USG). All residents of Empire worked for USG and USG owns the properties and buildings. The Empire gypsum mine was the longest continually operating mine in the US, operating for eighty eight years from 1923 to 2011. Most mines were shut down during [[World War II]] as resources were diverted to the war. It was determined that gypsum was an 'essential' resource and the mine was never closed during that period. The town had a church, a public pool, a 9-hole golf course, a post office (89405), and [[Empire Airport (Nevada)|Empire Airport]] for light planes. There was also a day care facility for the employees of Empire, and a convenience store with a gas station—the only store for more than {{convert|50|mi|km}}.

The gypsum plant in Empire closed its doors on January 31, 2011, eliminating 95 jobs.<ref name=HP062211>[http://www.huffingtonpost.com/2011/06/21/empire-nevada-recession_n_881816.html?ncid=edlinkusaolp00000009 Huffington Post: "Empire, Nevada Completely Wiped Out By Recession", June 22, 2011.]</ref><ref name="CSM_20110611">{{Cite web
| last = Bruder | first = Jessica
| title = Slump in construction industry creates a Sheetrock ghost town
| work = The Christian Science Monitor | publisher = Yahoo! News
| date = June 11, 2011
| url = http://news.yahoo.com/s/csm/20110611/ts_csm/388321
| accessdate = June 12, 2011}}</ref> Residents with children were allowed to continue inhabiting their company homes through June 20, 2011, the end of the school year. After that date, Empire effectively became a [[ghost town]]. In response, the local [[ZIP Code]], 89405, was also discontinued. Four USG employees remain to maintain the property.

The other major industries are a Union Pacific switching station in Gerlach and public services of [[Washoe County, Nevada|Washoe County]], which includes its roads department and a K–12 public school owned by the [[Washoe County School District]]; the future of the Gerlach K–12 School is unknown, as it is estimated that after the gypsum plant closes only around a dozen children will remain in Gerlach.<ref name=HP062211/> Many of the inhabitants of Gerlach are elderly retirees. Many people in Gerlach also have small private businesses. Many are Internet-based, due to the town's remote location. Hunters from all over the west travel to Gerlach to hunt a wide variety of game such as [[chukar]], geese, deer, antelope, etc. Joe's Gerlach Club hosts an annual chukar feed in late January. Bruno's restaurant hosts several other private parties in a large room in the back which is available for rent. {{Citation needed|date=June 2011}}

Since 1991, [[Burning Man]], a week long [[countercultural]] festival with 51,454 participants ({{as of|2010|lc=on}}), has been held nearby. Due to the appearance and actions of many of the participants, local enthusiasm is mixed, but the event is responsible for around 20% of the sales at the few commercial establishments in the area, which include the closest permanent fuel and grocery stops to the event site. The [[Black Rock Desert]] is also the site of many other recreational activities, organized and otherwise, throughout the year.<ref>{{Citation |last=Fulbright |first=Leslie |title=A warmer welcome, Residents of small Nevada town profit from annual counter cultural festival |date=August 28, 2005 |url= http://www.sfgate.com/cgi-bin/article.cgi?f=/c/a/2005/08/28/BAGGIEEJU11.DTL |newspaper=[[San Francisco Chronicle]]}}
</ref>

==History==
Gerlach was founded during the construction of the [[Feather River Route]] of the [[Western Pacific Railroad]] between 1905 and 1909.<ref>[http://nevadaculture.org/shpo/index.php?option=com_content&task=view&id=367&Itemid=40 Nevada Historical Marker 152, Nevada Historical Preservation Office]</ref>

Empire was founded in 1923; in that year miners formed a tent city while mining a claim originally established by the Pacific Portland Cement Company in 1910. U.S. Gypsum has owned the town since 1948, which reached a maximum population of 750 in the early 1960s. But when the recession forced the company to shut the plant in 2011, the town was unable to survive.<ref name=HP062211/><ref name="CSM_20110611"/>

==Transportation==
Primary highway access to both Empire and Gerlach is provided by [[Nevada State Route 447|State Route 447]]. Gerlach can also be accessed via three former state highways: [[Nevada State Route 34|State Route 34]], [[Nevada State Route 48|State Route 48]], and [[Nevada State Route 49|State Route 49]] (also known as Jungo Road).

Each town has an airfield, suitable only for light planes. The Gerlach field is simply a graded dirt strip, which is no longer usable. The Empire field is dirt, but light towers at a baseball field directly adjacent to and in line with the eastern end of the runway make approaches from or departures in that direction hazardous. Neither should be used unless under emergency.

==In film==
Gerlach was one of the film locations for the film ''[[Far From Home (1989 film)|Far From Home]]'' (1989). Gerlach was also the site for [[Gary Cooper]]'s first (credited) film, ''[[The Winning of Barbara Worth]]'' (1926). {{Citation needed|date=June 2011}}

==Radio==
{{As of|2010|03}} Gerlach now has a non profit community based radio station founded by Jeff Cotton and Bruce Van Dyke. The call letters are KLAP and it is located at 89.5 on the FM dial. It is also available on line at www.KLAP.fm. It is located at 395Main Street in the old Gerlach Gas Station and Garage Building Office owned by Gary Schmidt an original underwriter of the station along with Twin City Surplus of Reno, Great Basin Brewery of Sparks, and Bruno of Bruno's in Gerlach. The Garage Building was also prominent in the filming of "Far From Home".


==References==
==References==
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{{Black Rock Desert}}
{{Black Rock Desert}}


⚫
{{DEFAULTSORT:Gerlach-Empire, Nevada}}
⚫
[[Category:Census-designated places in Nevada]]
[[Category:Populated places in Washoe County, Nevada]]
[[Category:Former census-designated places in Nevada]]
[[Category:Company towns in Nevada]]
[[Category:Geography of Washoe County, Nevada]]
[[Category:Reno–Sparks metropolitan area]]
[[Category:Reno, NV Metropolitan Statistical Area]]
[[Category:Ghost towns in Nevada]]
[[Category:Populated places established in 1905]]
[[Category:Populated places established in 1905]]
⚫
[[Category:1905 establishments in Nevada]]

[[ar:غيرلاتش-إمبير، نيفادا]]
[[ca:Gerlach-Empire]]
[[de:Gerlach-Empire]]
[[es:Gerlach-Empire]]
[[fr:Gerlach-Empire (Nevada)]]
[[it:Gerlach-Empire]]
[[ht:Empire, Nevada]]
[[nl:Gerlach-Empire]]
[[pt:Gerlach-Empire]]
⚫
[[vi:Gerlach-Empire, Nevada]]
[[vo:Gerlach-Empire]]

Latest revision as of 04:09, 10 September 2023

Gerlach–Empire, Nevada
Former CDP
Location of Gerlach–Empire, Nevada
Location of Gerlach–Empire, Nevada
Coordinates: 40°37′22″N 119°20′29″W / 40.62278°N 119.34139°W / 40.62278; -119.34139
CountryUnited States
StateNevada
Area
 • Total94.1 sq mi (243.7 km2)
 • Land94.1 sq mi (243.7 km2)
 • Water0.0 sq mi (0.0 km2)
Population
 (2000)
 • Total499
 • Density5.3/sq mi (2.0/km2)
Time zoneUTC-8 (Pacific (PST))
 • Summer (DST)UTC-7 (PDT)
Area code775
FIPS code32-27325
Post office in Gerlach

Gerlach–Empire was a census-designated place (CDP) in Washoe County, Nevada, United States. It was replaced by the separate CDPs of Gerlach and Empire for the 2010 census. The combined population was 499 at the 2000 census. A former company town for United States Gypsum Corporation, Empire was once home to more than 750 people. It is part of the Reno–Sparks Metropolitan Statistical Area. Most of the population lives in the two tiny settlements of Gerlach, a neighboring hamlet with fewer than 200 people that shares its schools with Empire; the rest live on outlying rural ranching properties. The nearest town, Nixon, is 60 miles to the south on a reservation owned by the Pyramid Lake Paiute Tribe.

Geography[edit]

According to the United States Census Bureau, the CDP in 2000 had a total area of 94.1 sq mi (244 km2), all land. Its elevation is 3,946 ft (1,203 m).

Demographics[edit]

As of the census[1] of 2000, there were 499 people, 234 households, and 146 families residing in the CDP. The population density was 5.3 people per square mile (2.0/km2). There were 297 housing units at an average density of 3.2 per square mile (1.2/km2). The racial makeup of the CDP was 91.18% White, 2.81% Native American, 0.20% Asian, 4.61% from other races, and 1.20% from two or more races. Hispanic or Latino of any race were 11.02% of the population.

There were 234 households, out of which 26.1% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 48.3% were married couples living together, 9.8% had a female householder with no husband present, and 37.2% were non-families. 34.2% of all households were made up of individuals, and 6.8% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 2.13 and the average family size was 2.71.

In the CDP, the population was spread out, with 22.6% under the age of 18, 7.0% from 18 to 24, 31.5% from 25 to 44, 29.5% from 45 to 64, and 9.4% who were 65 years of age or older. The median age was 38 years. For every 100 females there were 116.0 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there were 120.6 males.

The median income for a household in the CDP was $35,088, and the median income for a family was $43,125. Males had a median income of $36,000 versus $23,056 for females. The per capita income for the CDP was $14,793. About 10.3% of families and 14.6% of the population were below the poverty line, including 15.8% of those under age 18 and 12.7% of those age 65 or over.

References[edit]

  1. ^ "U.S. Census website". United States Census Bureau. Retrieved 2008-01-31.
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