CALIENTE
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CALIENTE |
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NAME: Caliente COUNTY: Lincoln ROADS: 2WD GRID: 8 CLIMATE: Some snow in winter, hot summer BEST TIME TO VISIT: Anytime |
COMMENTS:
Semi-ghost - about 1000 residents. REMAINS: Many original buildings. |
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In about 1857 a gentleman named Klingensmith,
a Bishop in the Mormon Church, started a ranch in Dutch Flats north of
present day Caliente. Several other ranches were settled Between 1857
and 1879. There was a ranch in Caliente where a gentleman named William
Culverwell obtained part interest.His brother later bought the rest. Charles
Culverwell, Williams brother,owned the hot springs,and by 1901 he operated
the Culverwell Hotel. It had a Blacksmith shop,A Livery stable and the
hotel had hot mineral baths.( the baths are still in operation.) He was
called the "City Mayor" Culverwell built the hotel in anticipation of
the San Pedro, Los Angeles and Salt Lake Railroad (SP,LA&SL) The Salt
Lake Route. Now Union Pacific's Salt Lake Route. Caliente was first known
as Culverwells Ranch. Later, Called Clover Junction as it was the place
the Meadow Valley Wash and Clover Creek met.The name officially became
Calientes in 1901 and finally Caliente in 1903. The Post Office opened
on Aug 3,1901 The first officially elected Mayor was Thomas Dixon. He
was elected in 1944. Mr Dixon had a fine rose garden and Caliente was
soon dubbed "the Rose City" Many of the houses are left where they were
built on "Company Row" (now the highway through town) The Old Caliente
Railroad station is still there and houses the city government offices
and library. It had a roundhouse and repair facilities for steam locomotives
and was terminus for the Pioche & Princeton branch of the railroad.(there
is still roadbed and trestles left). In 1906,a massive flood all but ruined
most of the canyon. Union Pacific rebuilt and lost almost everything again
in 1910 when an even bigger flood hit. In books I have read, equiptment
and crossties were found floating in the Colorado River heading toward
Mexico! It was stated that a 10 to 12 foot wall of water roared down the
Meadow Valley! I could keep on... I think that is plenty for now. I would
like to acnowledge Walter R. Everett and his book "Through the Rainbow
Canyon" for a large part of Caliente history. Submitted by Paul and Connie
Hodson.
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