.jpg "nevada state park series- Berlin-Ichthyosaur")
The machine shop at the Berlin Ichthyosaur state park in Nevada
The Berlin – Ichthyosaur state park is a true Nevada original. Located smack dab in the center of the state, about 35 miles on a good dirt road south of Austin, NV, or 20 miles East of Gabbs on a mostly paved road, this park is part well-preserved ghost town, part ancient fossil repository. First, the ghost town part. Berlin was a mining town that went from boom to bust in a very short span at the turn of the century from 1896 to 1908. Berlin was dead by 1911, but served as an outpost for forest rangers, a fact that lead to its well-preserved state when most other old mining towns were stripped bare by nearby settlers. Many of the buildings contain a wealth of history preserved inside, from turn of the century chemical bottles at the Assey’s office, to antique trunks and alligator luggage. Park rangers are often willing to open doors to allow visitors a peak inside at a lifestyle frozen in time. Many of these photographs will hopefully do the same.
In addition to the ghost town of Berlin, there is one of the largest deposits of Ichthyosaur fossils around. Ichthyosaurs were pre-historic ocean dwelling reptiles that covered the state 225 million years ago. Until recently, one of the largest fossils of these in the world at 56 feet long, was located at this site. Many fossils of the 40 originally found, have been left uncovered on the ground where they were first discovered. A building and interpretive center was built around them and offers tours on a regular schedule.
Berlin – Ichthyosaur state park is open year round, though it may have snow in the depth of winter, and has 14 nicely spaced campsites with water and restrooms available on site for a fee. Visitors might also consider purchasing an annual Nevada State Parks pass. At $90, it is a steal for anyone traveling around the state, as it not only grants entrance to any of the parks, but also to the related facilities such as campgrounds. Enjoy!
.jpg "nevada state park series- Berlin-Ichthyosaur")
An old dodge in front of the machine shop at the Berlin-Ichthyosaur state park in central Nevada. This unique Nevada state park just south of Austin combines the well-preserved ghost town of Berlin with what used to be the largest Ichthyosaur fossils in the world at 56 feet.
.jpg "Berlin ichthyosaur park beer")
A look back in history inside the preserved ghost town at the Berlin Ichthyosaur state park in Nevada
A look over the historic Berlin Ichthyosaur ghost town in central nevada
.jpg "nevada state park series- Berlin-Ichthyosaur")
Detail inside the machine shop in the Berlin-Ichthyosaur state park in central Nevada. This unique Nevada state park just south of Austin combines the well-preserved ghost town of Berlin with what used to be the largest Ichthyosaur fossils in the world at 56 feet.
A house re-occupied by Ray Teifel in the 1970's who attempted to revive the mine and extract more gold, which didn't work out so well for him at the Berlin-Ichthyosaur state park in central Nevada. This unique Nevada state park just south of Austin combines the well-preserved ghost town of Berlin with
.jpg "nevada state park series- Berlin-Ichthyosaur")
Details in an abandoned home at the Berlin-Ichthyosaur state park in central Nevada. This unique Nevada state park just south of Austin combines the well-preserved ghost town of Berlin with what used to be the largest Ichthyosaur fossils in the world at 56 feet.
An old dodge seen through the window of the machine shop at the Berlin-Ichthyosaur state park in central Nevada.
.jpg "nevada state park series- Berlin-Ichthyosaur")
Bottles used in the assay of ore at the Berlin-Ichthyosaur state park in central Nevada. This unique Nevada state park just south of Austin combines the well-preserved ghost town of Berlin with what used to be the largest Ichthyosaur fossils in the world at 56 feet. Recently an Ichthyosaur was discovered in Canada over 70 feet long, but where do you get ghost town and dinosaur all in one visit?
.jpg "nevada state park series- Berlin-Ichthyosaur")
A table setting left at the Berlin-Ichthyosaur state park in central Nevada.
.jpg "Ichthyosaur fossil")
Detail shots of the Ichthyosaur backbone at the Berlin-Ichthyosaur state park in Central Nevada, part of what used to be the largest Ichthyosaur fossils in the world at 56 feet. Recently an Ichthyosaur was discovered in Canada over 70 feet long, but where do you get ghost town and dinosaur all in one visit?
.jpg "nevada state park series- Berlin-Ichthyosaur")
A scale representation of the size of the fossils at the Berlin-Ichthyosaur state park in central Nevada. This unique Nevada state park just south of Austin combines the well-preserved ghost town of Berlin with what used to be the largest Ichthyosaur fossils in the world at 56 feet. Recently an Ichthyosaur was discovered in Canada over 70 feet long, but where do you get ghost town and dinosaur all in one visit?