Toward the Colorado River from this point runs El Dorado Canyon where occurred one of the biggest mining booms in Nevada history. Gold and silver were discovered here about 1859, and soon rich mines were developed. In the 1860's the canyon was bursting with a rowdy population of nearly 500 men, many of these said to be deserters from the Civil War.

The river was navigable at the time, making it possible to bring in food and supplies by boat. Notorious for its feuds and shootings, the canyon was equally well known for its three largest m ines, The Techatticup, Wall Street and Savage, which yielded $5,000,000 during 40 years of operations.