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Battle Mountain: A Naming Convention

Many wonder where Battle Mountain got its name. I too wondered the same thing. You see it isn't something that is taught in the school system in BM, instead we learn things like salvaging junkyard cars and determing what cows will bring the most money.

(The following has been summarized from this website). The story behind the name begins with the gold rush days. Many a settler settled upon what was to be called Battle Mountain. They mined gold and silver, laid claims on land and fought with those pesky Indians. As the story goes a gentleman they called Tannehill decided to name the mining district Battle Mountain. When asked

why he decided on "Battle Mountain" he referenced a "Battle" he and some other settlers had with the confounded Indians. So in the spirit of inventive / original names he chose Battle Mountain. There are other theories but that is the most glamorous and illustrative story that shows exactly what the ancestors of todays Battle Mountonians are capable of.

 

Do you mine? I am trying to tell a story

Battle Mountain has survived and will continue to survive to some extent on it's dependence on mining. Gold and Silver are the primary metals that are mined and they give Battle Mountain subsistence. Mines have come and gone throughout history and as mining goes so does quality of life in Battle Mountain. Lately mines have dried up and unemployement has been on the rise. Eventually all mining will no longer exist and some believe no longer will Battle Mountain.

Cows, unlike humans know the meaning of life. (courtesy: acclaim images)

Don't forget the Ranch.

Ranching too is a large part of life in Battle Mountain. If you don't work at mine, or work a ranch, you are probably a tourist (isn't Battle Mountain tourist an oxy-moron). Many people survive an support the town by running ranches. Many well known ranching families come from Battle Mountain. In addition to providing juicy beef for the rest of us, the ranches also produce some world class rodeo people.