Aurora, Nevada has one of the most interesting (and infamous) histories of any historic town in the West. Settled in 1860, it was the second largest city east of the Sierra behind Virginia City. It was once the county seat of two different counties in two different states.... at the same time. Aurora was the place where Mark Twain, while working as a miner, wrote the first letters that would launch his writing career. Unfortunately nothing remains of this iconic frontier town but the cemetery.
The Bella Union Theater, seen here in 1877, was "Open Every Night" according to the ornate sign on a post in front of the building. Although this establishment was depicted as a gambling hall and brothel in the television series "Deadwood", it was actually described as an upscale establishment, where a regular ladies night encouraged men to bring their wives, and town meetings were held.
View of Lead, South Dakota and the Homestake Mine in 1888. A caption on the photo states that the Homestake stamp mills are the "largest mills in the United States".