The 1907 Mizpah Hotel - From Miners to Millionaires (Tonopah, Nevada)

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Step back in time in this remote desert hotel, which represents the peak of luxury in the dusty Wild West. The Mizpah Hotel, built in 1907, has quite a quite a colorful past, but are all the stories true? Let's explore this beautiful Nevada hotel and uncover what we can about its rich history.
www.themizpahhotel.com/
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[@joycefranklin8981]

My husband was stationed in Tonopah in WW2. On a camping trip to Yosemite many years ago we stayed in a motel right across the street from the Mizpah! We ate breakfast there the next morning before leaving. It was a beautiful place. Coming back home to Ohio we stayed at the same motel again and had a delicious huge dinner at the Mizpah. What a lovely surprise to run across this video, brought back such good memories! He would have enjoyed this very much. Thank you.

[@WyvernYT]

The hotel across the main street, the Belvada, is currently open again after a remodel during the quarantine. I can't speak on how the lobby looked during WWII but it's very pretty today. What I saw of the upstairs is likewise nice. (Or if you were in the motel next door, that's the Jim Butler. I stayed there just this July 4th and found the people very friendly.)

[@davedodart]

My wife and I stumbled across the Mizpah during a Spring road trip about 12 years ago. We had spent a couple of days driving through the Redwood National Park on the Pacific Coast and on our way back home to Utah we thought it would be fun to drive through Yosemite, as neither of us had been there before. Unfortunately, it was also Memorial day weekend and we were unprepared for how crowded Yosemite was going to be. By the time we made it to the center of the park, traffic came to a complete standstill and we moved only a few yards in over a hour. By the time the park rangers got traffic moving again, it was getting late in the evening. We exited the park and found ourselves on HWY 6, and didn't see any other vehicles for quite some time. We stopped at the only gas station we had seen, who was just closing up for the night, but allowed us to fill up anyway. They warned us the only thing we were going to see on that road was rattlesnakes and wild horses... they weren't wrong. Eventually it was dark, and we were being pursued by a nasty looking thunder storm so we decided to try and find lodging for the night. As we got closer to Tonopah, you could see the hotel sign against the incredibly pitch black sky. We knew nothing about the hotel at the time, we were just hoping there was vacancy as we were both hungry and road weary. Fortune smiled on us and there was a room available on the 5th floor. We checked in then retrieved our luggage from the car. Not wanting to carry our luggage up multiple flights of stairs we found the elevator you mentioned in your video. However when the doors opened, there was a small group that was on a "Ghost Tour" with a hotel staff member. Although the elevator was quite full, they insisted there was room for us, so we squeezed in with them. They were on the way up to see the "Lady in red" room and the tour guide was telling her story when the elevator came to an abrupt stop. At first, everyone thought it was just theatrics for the ghost tour. But we quickly found out that was not the case, as the tour guide began frantically trying to call someone at the front desk. Cellphone reception inside the elevator was mostly non-existent so we could only rely on the in-car phone, and one of the ladies in the elevator started to have a panic attack, as she was apparently quite claustrophobic. With my wife and I pressed up close to the elevator doors we started trying to pry them open. We were able to open them slightly and could see we were stuck between floors. Eventually the tour guide was able to get in touch with someone at the front desk who sent help. They were able to finish prying the doors open from the outside, and using our luggage as a makeshift staircase, everyone clambered out of the elevator. The tour guide was quite shaken by the whole event, and they provided everyone with complimentary meal tickets for the restaurant. We eventually made it to our room, which was quite amazing itself and had a restful stay. The next morning we took our own tour around the hotel, and eventually lugged our luggage down the 5 stories of stairs, as the elevator was still "out-of-order" the next day. It was quite the adventure and I'll never forget our stay at the Mizpah.

[@daleslover2771]

We were doing TDY from Fort Bliss Texas, back in 80 to 83. station doing duty at the Tonopah test range, There was a JTF from all branches... We were housed in the Cowboy hotel, at the end of the street heading towards Reno. They dident have door knobs on the doors, straight sheet rock on the walls, our per diem was $ 22.00 a day for housing, $4.50 for breakfast $ 8.00 for lunch, 14.00 for dinner . We ate like kings.. wow cant believe it's been 40 years.. one of my best memories & TDY I was ever on...... Who could ever forget Col Mennix.test director, one hell of a good officer.

[@SQUAREHEADSAM1912]

I love these type of videos. Late 1800s, early 1900s History is such fascinating.

[@DerpyPossum]

Turn-of-the-century aesthetics rule

[@SQUAREHEADSAM1912]

@@DerpyPossum yes, exactly

[@SotonSam]

The manager was giving me anxiety! All the stuff that's just waiting to be discovered! That's an old mining tunnel... *Moves on* Very interesting old locked door "never been in there". *Moves on* Nooo! I need to see!!

[@marinabrola]

Right!? Like, lady...the gold and the 3rd robbers bones might be in that room 😮

[@lindsayschilling8707]

Me too!

[@Mikewgoogle537]

Lived and worked at the Mizpa Hotel and The Station House in 1984. Stayed in the Jim Butler suite a guy would be driving all the time between Reno and Vegas, I thought he sold used cars , nope he owned Circus Circus and all the cars were his. Thanks for making this video.

[@guyk768]

I do enjoy these in-depth history of these historical places you go into on these places.

[@Mark-pp7jy]

I have a friend whose father was a crew member on a B-17, named "Mizpah" during WWII. (381st Bomb Group, Essex England.) The aircraft and crews survived the war. 🙏✌️

[@dadcooksfood9956]

This is so cool. I spent a night there last April. And we stumbled on it as we drove from vegas to Portland. We got a late start out of Vegas, (left about 7:30pm) and when we rolled into Tonopah we were going to stay at the best western, I was so glad they were full when we got into our room. We were in the 3rd or 4th floor in a corner room. Facing the Beavada hotel. And it was amazing. I would have loved to stay and check the place out, but it was up and out the door at 5:00 am the next morning for the long trek to Portland so we could get back to work the following day. I have sworn that we will be back. And planned to go this coming April. Until I found out about my job loss. So now it will have to wait a bit longer.

[@Bryanja81]

My wife and I spent the night at the Mizpah in August 2022. I was awakened at 3:46am by footsteps in our room. I sat up and immediately heard a “shhhh” in my ear! I laid back down, covered up and pretended that did not just happen! 😂

[@suppertitanicboysshipcolle9752]

Gotta love that 19th century archetecture!!The Mizpah hotels interior reminds me alot of the RMS Mauretania's interior also the hotel was constructed the same year the Mauretania was crossing the Atlantic very cool!!!

[@marydd4147]

I searched all over the internet for the origin of this hotel's name. Thanks for this interesting video!

[@JohnFleshman]

Hey cool I live just a half dozen blocks from the Mizpah. heh you can kind of see my house from the drone shots.

[@JohnFleshman]

I helped renovate the Belvada too.

[@christopherbodnar424]

Great video! I worked out of Tonopah for several months back in the late 70's. I was part of a small crew that worked for a mining and mineral exploration company. Though we stayed in a different (cheaper) motel a couple of blocks away, we ate there quite often and even did a little gambling in their casino. It is so cool to see it in such great shape. Thanks again for the video.

[@prylosecorsomething3194]

The idea of a bunch of miners digging a tunnel into the bank vault is fucking hilarious

[@Dwightstjohn-fo8ki]

3 miners, two found dead in the tunnel in a double cross, money, gold, and the 3rd. guy never found. The "Joker" has happened before.

[@wuznotbornyesterda]

Smart guy, told the two he'd cut them in and let them do the work only to kill them for it all. The way of the wild west and criminals. Ah, the love of 💰!

[@lindsayschilling8707]

Yes, the Wild, Wild West for sure! Fascinating.

[@bethewalt7385]

It was 3, I'd hardly call 3 a bunch

[@jazzcatt]

I am really glad new owners, well new to me, have worked to restore the old time look to the place. The bar area now is frigging GORGEOUS, and I love the fact they put a grand piano in there. I sure hope the thing works and is tuned and maintained. I played music in Tonopah at the Banc Club and Tonopah Station in the very late 90's. I met several of the town people and got a personal tour of the hotel, getting to go places that the public was not allowed. I got to go on the roof where the hotel signs are. I had a the friend take a photo for proof. Back then the plans for the museum were to be in the basement and they intended on kind of restoring a bit of the mine adit under the building and displaying old mining stuff, like an ore cart that was already down there. It doesn't look like the new owner did that.

[@beverleyonajide4523]

This was a Great video…you so such a Fabulous job of sharing information about the places you travel. TFS Tom and Emma…you both do a wonderful job of documenting everything.

[@richterkleiber]

Another terrific video, Tom, of an amazing story that I would have never known about. Looking forward to the next one! Let us know how else we can support your work ~

[@PartTimeExplorer]

Thank you, Zsolt! I'll be making a personal update video probably in two weeks about what my plans are for this channel going forward.

[@sarahcartier3393]

Thanks for tour and information on this historic building. Decor is awesome, nice to see it's being preserved and maintained.

[@DerpyPossum]

wish i knew of this place when i was living just outside of Reno. would’ve been such a cool place to swing by!

[@andyokus5735]

Yeah a 5 hour drive.

[@Mr-zw2tt]

Watched almost all of your content regarding towns. Nobody does it better. Loving it. Please, keep doing your thing. You're a gem.

[@Amory98]

I mean, we love you man; you and Emma.. we really do. Thanks for bringing this history to us. And one more goes up my "places to visit" list.

[@markbowles2382]

Thank you so much Tom, really great how you are able to spend so much time researching and exploring, I know it's hard for you because it's obvious that you love it and care about doing it correctly and honestly, and I imagine you'd probly prefer enjoying it alone without the bother of camera, company, schedules, and all the unseen pains and difficulties that go along with putting such great presentations together. I really enjoyed you and ms.Emma trudging into the Nevada heat (that is I appreciatte it) to the uncle sam mine where you experianced this great hotel, anyway, thank you again mr.Tom, for sharing ya'lls adventure for retired folks who are not able to take such trips, for whatever reasons, who love exploring, history, and traveling roads of new adventures in our short time on this earth. Health and Happiness mr.Tom, to you and all yours.

[@laurenc.2889]

Absolutely loving these videos! The stories are so fascinating and you guys do an awesome job deep diving into the history and presenting it in such a respectful and professional manner. Keep them coming!

[@alco1252]

Great episode Tom! There's a ghost town here in Colorado called nevadaville that you might like to explore one of these days

[@giggles8458]

It isn't a million views, but to go from 10K to 100K views in a year, is quite a spike! Great tours, thanks.

[@wiseup8729]

200,000

[@ponyhorton4295]

Just FYI, the county in Arizona is pronounced "Co-cheess" not "Coach-ice." He was a respected Apache warrior. I stayed there Christmas Eve night of 1986 or so. Great video!

[@Emmy-hj9hd]

I appreciate that you made a historical perspective and didn't make it all based around ghosts and how it's haunted. Now I'm not saying it is not haunted. However, I was recently watch a video and it brought up the hotel. But whenever I looked at videos to learn about it and I was met with videos that were only concentrated on how haunted it is. So thank you again 💓 💗 💛 💖 ❤ 💕

[@DerpyPossum]

the *“Crowd-grabbing-ghost-stuff first, actual history second”* mindset that a lot of media has is indeed unfortunate.

[@mileshigh1321]

What a beautiful hotel! Great history too! It looks like the sidewalk out front is raised up quite a bit.Maybe the road level got built up , which lowered the front door below the sidewalk, hence changing sidewalk Height and closing off the old front door. Just a theory!

[@PartTimeExplorer]

That's a good theory! We were discussing that while exploring it and it's definitely the most likely theory, but I can't find any records of the road being built up, and even the oldest photos of the original bank building show the road at the level it's at now. There would have to have been an even older structure, before 1904 ish that was built there, which might not be likely since the town was settled only 2 years prior. But what else could it be?

[@wuznotbornyesterda]

I saw it was raised also and in one pic it showed the road having a bit of a crown to the road to channel what little rain they get there over to the side of the road. Maybe it leaked in and that's why they raised it higher and didn't want an opening any longer.

[@marinabrola]

​​@@PartTimeExplorerI've recently been introduced to the school of thought relating to old world architecture "Tartaria": if you will and the thought crossed my mind upon seeing the submerged base level with front door. And yet, if that were true one would expect at least some other structures in the town to have a similar characteristic design flaw of a front door in the basement. Money and time not withstanding, it would be an interesting thing to investigate.

[@NYSteve]

really well made vids, thanks, great video , great sound, bright guy asking similiar questions and checking out similiar things that i would.... hey guys i think there is some confusion about Wyatt Earp owning a Saloon where the hotel now stands....actually, i think he just had his Bar Mizpah there.

[@VintageLPs]

Excellent video of an exquisite hotel! Thank you for taking the time to give us a tour. One of my cousins lives here and I have always wondered about the town setting. Great little town in the Nevada mountains.

[@barrydysert2974]

Excellent! New bucket list item!! !:-)

[@wlsnpndrvs8593]

was waiting for you to say restored, like everyone else who don't know what they are taking about. but you said refurbished. it was remodeled to let you know. i was in on the project in 1978 for bill allison when i was in high school in tonopah. (paw. like miz paw). there was also a local PBS affiliated television station that i helped with occasionally for john gilman.

[@Cavalier.440]

I always appreciate a good history story, especially when it's told well. 🍻

[@jeepinwithjulia]

We are staying there April 7th, can't wait!

[@TERoss-jk9ny]

I can vouch for the night sky all thru that part of Nevada. Loved running between Alamo & Lund. You can reach out and touch the stars , and can run out of wishes on the falling ones!

[@mariemorgan7759]

I just love that hotel! The Victorian decor is so beautiful!❤️ The legend of the lady in red ghost s intriguing!👻

[@MrTwenty6point2]

I wouldn't say Howard Hughes was a psychopath. Psychopathy is not the same as psychosis.

[@davemccage7918]

When someone with sever psychosis has unlimited access to money/power they usually devolve into a psychopath. Howard Huges, Michael Jackson, Emperor Caligula & Nero come to mind.

[@lornahardin4563]

A really great video of the old Mizpah. My friend entertained here many years ago. I will see that she gets to see this.

[@karinlearned7150]

Thank you for the post. It is true about the clearest sky. We experienced one of the best 4th of July fireworks over the desert - parked on the high school grounds on our way to Las Vegas. Unfortunately we weren't able to go in the hotel as they were renovating.

[@legomaker9613]

The Ghost Adventures Crew was there.

[@jjskn93]

I think the subterranean door is what remains of a coal shoot. It could have also been somewhere where deliveries were taken. I'v seen this sort of thing alot in pubs here (uk), where the beer cellar is underneath the pavement. Alot of them even have those nice glass sections, but I rarely see them in good condition.

[@lindsayschilling8707]

Fascinating! My husband and I made many business trip runs from North Lake Tahoe to Las Vegas; we always passed through Tonopah. I always looked at the The Mizpah building wondering what it was like inside; I now regret not stopping and taking a tour of this grand old hotel. Perhaps it is because the exterior of the Mizpah is quite misleading; you would never guess the grandeur of the interior. Should we ever pass through Tonopah again, we will definitely stay at least one night. Thank you for this very interesting feature of "The Mizpah". Just a note: the name of the hotel always amused me; I did comment to my husband that the name must be Hebrew/Jewish in origin, but I also added that the name's origin was probably just coincidental. How right I was! I've always been interested in old buildings, their history and legends (my father was an architect - go figure 😊). Thank you, this was very interesting and informative. "The Mizpah".

[@grumpyoldretiredcop8382]

My wife and I have stayed at the Mizpah several times traveling between the Carson City area and Las Vegas and it's one of our favorite hotels in Nevada. On our first stay, they put us in a room adjacent to the place where the "Lady in Red" was supposed to have been killed. I'm sorry (or maybe not so sorry) to say that we had no supernatural phenomenon occur during that stay. On one stay the elevator was out but the hotel staff moved us to the lowest floor so we only had one flight of stairs to climb. It's also worthwhile to visit the historic Mining District which is located one block behind the hotel. There you can see where the wealth that built Tonopah and filled the pockets of at least one miner was wrested from the earth. The story of the vault robbery and the mining tunnel was new to me and it's always enjoyable to learn a new piece of Nevada history!

[@Michelle-qi5zf]

I love history and I’m so thankful I found your channel

[@andrewm6786]

What an underrated channel!

[@sidibill]

Always happy to see your videos show up in my notifications. Never disappointed. Thanks.

[@Ramcharger85]

This was the best review of a historic hotel. Always wanted to visit, and now my curiosity is itching for one. ❤

[@eliamiller9816]

Love this kind of content!!!! I love everything about Nevada!!!

[@michaelblack7233]

My favorite hotel to stay at. We go every year!

[@rockybernard2997]

The old Death Valley Days TV series had a couple episodes based on stories out of Tonopah Gold fields. Interesting people making history. TY for recording your visit.

[@aprylrittenhouse4562]

What a wonderfull tour. As always you keep makin em and I'll keep watchin em. Have a nice day.

[@rationalbacon5872]

Thank you! I was looking forward to this.

[@ihatedietcola7920]

I enjoy watching stuff like this. Thanks for the video!!! Just subscribed.

[@PZKWVIE131]

Nice video Tom. KEEP THIS UP.

[@discostew115]

Another awesome video!

[@s95033]

Visited the mining district in Tonopah a few months ago and learned a bit about the Mizpah, so found this video fascinating. Thanks for the great research. Now I need to go back...

[@J.BaxGeronimo]

Love your videos man. Keep doing what you love. Keep exploring.

[@markgane7870]

This hotel reminds me of the Hotel Monte Vista in Flagstaff AZ. The sign above the hotel especially.

[@lynnschaeferle-zh4go]

We didn’t have time when we were there to explore. Thanks for reminding me I want to go back. Another small cool place is Jerome Az.

[@SutekinaYuri]

Beautiful town, and awesome informative video, thank you for sharing!

[@joeleder]

The funny thing about anywhere in Nevada outside Las Vegas, you're always going to be the only guest.

[@lauraduplooy]

Omg! The Mizpah looks absolutely delightful! I love the little touches that make for a richer experience. Very nice!

[@rodya_malverde]

Love your videos!

[@antfrey302]

Awesome video brother thank you!

[@filipdemski8303]

Love that documentary!

[@bradfordbarrettluckotheIrish]

Greal Vlog! Thank you. I’ll check out the hotel soonest.

[@andrewwilliamson7447]

Thanks. I'm really enjoying your Nevada videos. I'm planning a roadtrip for September, when I'll be coming over from the UK to explore some of these out of the way places. Keep them coming!

[@nodebt6188]

Check out the Silver Peak Lithium Mine by Tonopah. Drive from Las Vegas to Reno. Tonopah is halfway in between. There are some strange things you will see.

[@joandruckerman7492]

Like the hotel! Love to look thru it,as you show it. Great job...keep up the good work! Love the other ghost town video!🥰🍭🍓

[@aimeee.9390]

I absolutely love how inspiring each of your videos are! You are my new favorite KZbinr, by far

[@kevinquist]

LOVE your shows.

[@wuznotbornyesterda]

On the way to Yosemite for our son's wedding a year after you filmed this we went through Tonapah and I commented on what a grand old hotel this was. We stopped for gas and moved on through the hottest most boring drive ever! I wish we would have had time to stop there. Thanks so much for the tour and history. I enjoyed it very much. I noticed in your drone footage the front of the hotel now has several feet of built up sidewalk which is why the door down under doesn't open to the street any longer. It may have been a cellar door for deliveries to the basement previously.

[@uriel736]

You're videos are very well done. Glad I found you're channel

[@susanmumper8334]

Well done all the way around! Thank you.

[@chileanzombie42]

Looks beautiful and I really enjoyed this episode.

[@arthur-db9if]

Really enjoyed this video! I highly recommend purchasing RDR2 if you have a Playstation; it takes place in New Orleans from 1899 until 1907 and you can travel all the way to the west and explore the little towns… this town really reminded me of the ones in the gameplay. Talking about gameplay; can’t wait to see what the Lusitania will look like once she’s virtually finished!

[@ignatiuspennyfeatherix4376]

yesss blackwater hotel is like an exact copy

[@dankerns171]

Delivers used to go through a lift in the sidewalks. My dad owned a western auto in Tonaph and it still had the lift. Great little town to grow up in. Their is also a mine shaft under the Mizpa. Time to go bk and visit

[@hdaline69]

I used to get all my parts at Western Auto, on main street. It was an interesting town to grow up in, but BORING.

[@ccounsil7198]

Thanks for this fantastic video. I absolutely love the Mizpah. You may also want to check out the Benbow Inn in Garberville CA, another fascinating and historic hotel.

[@ginamaria2579]

Outstanding 👍🏻🤗

[@sharonroberts3397]

ENJOYED VIDEO VERY MUCH VERY INFORMATIVE

[@tubetube7025]

Thank you for this

[@Ed-ip2sg]

As Always interesting and educational. Love hearing about the people rich and poor that made up the mining towns both that stayed and prospered and those that are abandoned and falling.

[@connorredshaw7994]

Great video Tom Lynskey well done 👍

[@jodeeps2287]

I enjoyed your video very much. I live in Carson City, so this was of special interest to me. Thank you 😊

[@franksnyder1038]

Thanks for this.

[@chuckythedoll4815]

Beautiful hotel. Thank you.

[@Urlocallordandsavior]

The underground bit reminds me of the Seattle Underground, which was burned in the Great Seattle Fire of 1889.

[@stephenenders2066]

I have been thru this area. Good video 💫

[@georgewells5710]

Great video

[@jeanatwood1421]

It is so enjoyable these documentaries on places I have visited.

[@karencharny1497]

Wow 😲 finally a video without Snow. Great 😎

[@jjbode1]

Thanks! The Mizpah is now on my list.

[@ZillaCabs]

Really enjoying the videos mate, I'm missing roadtripping around the States finding stuff.

[@chrisexplores619]

I stay there once every few months, belvada too

[@gurplepanda3656]

Thanks so much for pronouncing Nevada correctly!!!!

[@benjamindutcher9484]

Very cool!!

[@Maritime_History]

Congrats on 50k subscribers. Continue to upload the great content!

[@PartTimeExplorer]

Thank you, my friend!

[@sartainja]

Great story telling.

[@tracytempleton8618]

I'm so glad I happened upon your channel! So interesting you can't take your eyes off and b4 you know it, the end has come.

[@Dav1Gv]

What a great video.