The old American Flat mill, an abandoned mill that once processed gold and silver ore about four miles out of Carson City has been abandoned for years, and is in the process of being demolished by the BLM.
I first went there in 2001. It was an amazingly scenic place as the buildings, by that point, were just shells of what they once were, being reclaimed by the surrounding vegetation. The apparent numbers of visitors that had come through was seen through the years of graffiti coverage on almost every surface. Burned out shells of cars that had been a night's entertainment for some forgotten squatters, the countless beer cans and squatter encampments. American Flat Of course, all of these things that made it so wonderful are the same reasons it is being torn down.
The American Flat is being completely demolished into the ground. The Steel and what ever else can be reclaimed will be hauled out. Every thing else will be buried, soil samples taken, and re-vegetation planting will begin. In a few years, it will look like it never existed. An area that had mining history dating back to 1859 will disappear. Though, understandably..... it was not a safe place. And with very easy access.
American Flat The place was huge too. 45 acres of enormous buildings. Some as tall as 60 ft. Huge areas open to the sky and bowl shaped, used at some point for the refinery. Tunnels everywhere. Underground tunnels that traveled the area beneath the facility. And graffiti everywhere. Graffiti and puddles of water and plants determined to get in.
American Flat It was one of the most photogenic places i have ever been. So in memory of that beautiful place, I have uploaded all my photos from that trip to Flickr here .
Enjoy the photos. Bye Bye American Flat. I'm glad I saw you when I did. read more »
