Legal Disclaimer: The Paranormal & Ghost Society its Pictures, Website Content, Videos, EVP's, AngelOfThyNight Radio Comedy & Paranormal Show, Theories, Satire, Articles, Content and Features are for Educational Purposes, Personal Usage, Entertainment Purposes and Research Only. Thus we have the right to reserve and use the following content legally and willfully! Content is NOT for redistribution, monetary gain or profit! All information is produced for theoretical examination, student projects, scholars and other educational institutions to be used in historical and analytical research. Do NOT try this at home for entertainment purposes ONLY! All locations are considered dangerous, unsafe and illegal to enter without permission. By browsing our website you agree to not withhold The Paranormal & Ghost Society and Lord Rick aka AngelOfThyNight Its Founder liable as our viewers assume all risk & liabilities!

US LAW

We believe that our use of any such digital material & media constitutes a 'fair use' as provided for in section 107 of the US Copyright Law. In accordance with Title 17 U.S.C. Section 107, the material on The Paranormal & Ghost Society's Website at www.paranormalghostsociety.org, facebook at www.facebook.com/AngelOfThyNight and our youtube at www.youtube.com/AngelOfThyNight is distributed without profit to those who have expressed a prior interest in receiving the included information for news, travel, research and educational purposes. For more information go to: http://www.law.cornell.edu/uscode/17/107.shtml

American Flats is rumored to be the largest concrete mill in the United States. As a paranormal investigator more then often our team will venture into a location not really knowing if it is haunted or what dark secrets it may hold. As some of you may be aware The Paranormal & Ghost Society relocated to the Carson Valley, NV region in February 2011 at that time we just touched the tip of the iceberg when it came to American Flats.

Just months later after our explorations of the mill many of the locals began to share with me horrifying stories telling me that their are cults, murders, suicides, tragic accidents and strange paranormal activity associated with this place. Months ago I probably would have not thought much about such a place having allot of paranormal activity but with all due honesty I now am the first to admit that this was one of the most haunted locations I ever visited in my entire career being a paranormal investigator. By our third investigation our EMF readings were through the roof some persisting on for as long as 7 minutes. This also goes with the fact that my lead investigator and I both seen ghost at the Flats which really can give you an idea of how active the supernatural is.

This is a location that allot of people know about everybody plus their grandma has at one time or another traversed the area. Its not a place for children but for the avid explorer it can do you no wrong to appreciate and value the history that surrounds this mill. Despite efforts to demolish it the BLM has kept an openminded when it comes to other peoples opinions. PGS hopes to have some influence on saving this site as memories associated with American Flats will last a lifetime. This may be one of the only abandoned places they are lenient on despite the risk during the course of one day the site averages 20 visitors.

Despite the dangers their are plenty of hiking areas surrounding the Reno-Tahoe region that are more deadly then even American Flats so we have to understand that no matter where you or I may explore responsibility and safety are a first priority. The flats should never be torn down but at the same time people need to learn more responsibility and if they are not experienced to explore such a mill then they should only enjoy the photos found at sites such as ours. Their is great historical value to match the supernatural at this site as for decades it has been explored by others who dare to enter its domain.

I am not sure as to why it is so paranormally active when it comes to the supernatural but its tunnels have more then just a few rats running amok here. From what I can tell you is that we put in allot of man hours of research into this location. This goes with taking EMF Readings, Gauss Readings, Inferred Night vision Videos, Daytime Videos, EVP and Audio Recordings to hardcore exploration into the unknown.

American Flats sits in a very unique area just on the outskirts of Virginia City and Gold Hill it is a place where wild horses roam free . It is within a short distance of two cemeteries and multiple mines. Within a mile away is the tunnels and tracks of the Virginia & Truckee Railroad which is a very scenic trainride through the Comstock Lode all the way up into the Tahoe National Forest.

There is more graffiti here then any building I have ever visited and without sugar coating anything it is a very dangerous structure. There are many steep stairwells, holes, weak floors and flooded areas. It is not the type of place to explore if you are not aware of your surroundings and even still at anytime a floor could collapse taking you with it. Back in the day they used cyanide here remnants of the storage tanks still stand and the pools of water may contain some dangerous chemicals still in them today.

There are signs of cult activity there are three areas of the mill I know for a fact are haunted and they are NOT a disappointment. Generally all I have to do is say something to the unseen and those areas will light up like a Xmas tree. Those same areas have signs of candle wax, fires, salt, satanic graffiti and even homemade board games. If your not experienced with dealing with lesser entities then DO NOT go to American Flats. Generally during the day the location is full of explorers but at night nobody goes out here and now our team knows why.

I had read that a day or two after Easter 2011 they were going to demolish the flats due to its instability and on occasion this issue comes up. Lets face it some have gone out here and gotten hurt. These are the people who ruin it for others and id hate to see such a historical site flourishing with paranormal activity be destroyed based on someone else's ignorance here.

Despite all the bad things you hear about it one can spend hours here exploring it and really embracing a true mill with American History. This mill symbolizes America and its might to be able to build such a cathedral out of concrete. There isn't to many places like this left in our country and its the type of place you can pull your truck right up to the entrance. Since my visit at the flats I have had some folks warn me to stay away from the location not because of its instability but some of the locals feel the land is cursed, haunted and that their is evil surrounding its concrete walls.

Most of you may not believe in the paranormal but what I can tell you is I captured numerous EVP's which were stolen maybe just another run of bad luck since visiting this location who knows along with the complete audio of the second exploration here. Despite the fact that some of our finds were stolen we do have plans to work with the flats a couple more times to complete our case files. I know its haunted so haunted that one of our investigators quit after his truck didn't start and a few things occurred as the night went on. Very few can say they spent the night here but our team worked through the night at this location and the results were astonishing such as if you view our night vision videos you will see one segment where I said something then our meters went off like crazy. The entities within the flats know they are dead trust me on this and they truly adore the attention unlike some ghost I have worked with. But something more sinister roams these tunnels and it watches within the dark....waits.....and it is as real as you and I.

Despite the fact that over the years teens have partied here and others have played paintball games it is a historic sites thus it needs to be preserved. Right now allot of the local people of the Carson area probably feel the same way about American Flats as I do. Tearing it down will not solve anything then instead of this concrete mill being abused with graffiti that will transition to some other site. Honestly the work that we do here is to educate people about these places and show the dangers involved with them. All our work allows others to view it safely from there homes without them actually ever having to put themselves in harms way. I mean each year there are multiple accidents that occur at the Flats which include falls to four wheeling accidents. My goal perhaps it to preserve the Flats using our site but at the same time I may be able to come up with a safer alternative so that it doesn't get destroyed. Thus ill be talking further with the BLM if possible in the future so that its a win situation for all parties involved. I cannot step aside and watch this place demolished its a great place for the scientific study of ghost believe me when I say that the place is a true example of an epic haunting. You hear about places like the Myrtles Plantation or Queen Mary well American Flats compares to all of them believe me when I say it so no we do not wish to see the Flats demolished it would not be fair to the dearly departed or those groups like ours who work with the location to preserve its history.

Now speaking of history the American Flats area was at one time called American City later changed to Comstock Mining Co.. In 1860 gold and silver mining began here at this very site in the high desert. The minerals found throughout this region far extended by just the Gold Canyon Ravine where the first mining started here. By 1864 American City became a full fledged town and the residents tried to turn this city into the state capital. Thus if that were to happen then Carson City would have not been our state capital today. This may have been because Ormsby County was in disfavor for charging almost $5000 dollars for each legislative session for room space. However the promoters at American City were offering $50,000 to Nevada's government if it would relocate their operations here. The legislators turned it down rejecting the offer. I wonder how many people know this little bit of history.

In 1845 to 1866 the town had a post office, hotels, township officers and many other businesses. By 1867 the town was overran with coyotes and sage brush. It remained quiet almost till about 1920. So for almost 50 years the town sort of sat at a stand still. Not to say that it was a ghost town because indeed with it having such a close proximity to Gold Hill and Virginia City many miners lived in this area. People traveling through town could stay at a hotel in American City then travel up to Virginia City to board the railroad up to Truckee Ca. This area was enriched not just with gold but business as well.

That is why in the 1920's the United Comstock Mining Co. constructed a 1.5 million dollar four story cyanide mill that was reinforced with concrete. It was designed to process low grade ores at the southern end of the Comstock Lode. A two mile long spur was built from the mill to the Virginia & Truckee's main ralroad line. In 1923 the company went out of business the Comstock Merger Mines Inc. was formed to operate those mines that were in the middle of the lode. Thus they acquired American Flats. The company was not very large but had enough participants to from a small camp just below the mill where the original town once stood. The camp included a general store, houses, hospital, recreation hall, dining hall, post office and many other buildings. In 1926 just three years later the company terminated its operations at American Flats because the worth of Silver fell quite considerably.

By the 1930's a small company in San Francisco brought all the equipment and salvageable parts from the mill site. They removed and salvaged everything but the concrete mill which is still left standing today. The precious scrap metals would be used during WWII as their was a dire need for it. The 3000 ton concrete mill was the nations largest cyanide plant during this time period. On the back side of the mill which we have some photos of their was a drift that connected to the old mines underneath Virginia City. The mill is massive and that old tunnel is now collapsed but seems to be a focal point for allot of paranormal activity. Its possible that the ghost of the miners still roam those dark eerie tunnels of this monolithic mill today!

There is also a story that Emily found that stated that back in the day two boys sought shelter at American Flats during a snow storm only to freeze to death. Supposedly they were driving cattle home to their ranch when the storm struck. The weather in this region can be deadly especially if you were on foot in these hills wandering around in a snow storm. Its stories like these that make you wonder if some of these tragic incidents are a reason that the Flats are so haunted today.

I invite all of you to check out our various sections within our site of American Flats overtime will add more content so that others can appreciate it in the same light we do. Please note that places like American Flats deserve utmost respect. If any further carelessness occurs I am afraid it could be detrimental to the BLM's decision to demolish it or leave it as it is and as other explorers remember. Although other ghost groups have more then likely been here we are the first to go public with it and do a production on youtube of the investigation which really exposes this majestic mills history, greatness and hauntings!

Copyright By
Lord Rick ~ AngelOfThyNight
Founder
Author, Producer and Talk Show Host
Click Here: Save American Flats

Please make note of it American Flats has been demolished in late 2014 and we lost our fight to save it. However one can always visit our website and use it to show others what once was and how amazing of a mill this was. I have posted the article further below on this page however the article about the mills demolition and more information is available at:

American Flat Mill Site Closed Demolition Underway

We will certainly miss the mill and all the great memories we had exploring it. I feel that this is a huge mistake to demolish this mill as in my opinion this was the most haunted mill site on the western half of the US now completely erased as if it never existed so so sad! History lost forever and all that remains is the videos/photos we have collected prior to it being torn down. That includes photos of American City and when the mill was operable further below on this page. In the future the only thing that will be left of the flats is the sage brush and nature that is consuming this area today. Keep in mind this location almost became the county seat and state capitol so on this journey you will see the mills rise and fall.

Historic BW Photos Courtesy: Joe Curtis Collection; Nevada Historical Society; and Special Collections, University of Nevada, RenThe Neo Libraries

BLM to raze Storey County's American Flat mill site
3:28 PM, Dec. 10, 2010 |

o The United Comstock Merger Mill was built in 1922 near Gold Hill by the United Comstock Mining Co.

o The mill processed silver and gold ore using a cyanide leaching process.
o The venture was supported by the Key Pittman Silver Purchase Act of 1918, which guaranteed silver producers a minimum price of $1 per ounce.

o The act expired in 1923, eventually forcing the mill’s closure in 1928 as silver prices plummeted.

o The mill site was closed to the public by the Bureau of Land Management in 1997 but it continues to be a popular party spot.

o The BLM has decided to raze the mill buildings and restore the site to a natural state. Timing of the $3.2 million project is undetermined.

Source: BLM, RGJ research.

Once the largest concrete mining facility of its type in the country and now a crumbling, graffiti-covered hazard, Storey County’s American Flat mill should be razed, federal land managers have decided.

Closed to the public since 1997 but still a popular location for nighttime drinking parties, paint ball battles and other activities, the United Comstock Merger Mill at American Flat is simply too dangerous to stay, officials with the federal Bureau of Land Management insist.

“We are very concerned about the liability there,” said Mark Struble, a BLM spokesman. “The problem is it’s a dangerous site.”

Built in 1922 “with a huge capital investment” to process Comstock gold and silver ore using cyanide vat leaching, the mill only operated six years, closing after federal subsidies for silver mining were cut off, said Guy Rocha, Nevada’s former state archivist.

“It was a major mining development that had a rather short life,” Rocha said. “What that operation meant was an effort to revive the Comstock. When it went down, there just wasn’t much mining left on the Comstock.”

And if the Comstock’s fate was to evolve into a tourist destination, the abandoned American Flat mill became a destination of its own right.

The mill’s machinery was dismantled and sold as salvage but over the years, the cavernous interiors of its disintegrating buildings offered an irresistible spot for keg parties, target shooters and graffiti vandals.

Some people practiced rappelling from the mill’s largest structure, BLM officials said. In May 1996, a 44-year-old Wisconsin man driving an all-terrain vehicle on concrete steps within one building was killed when the vehicle toppled over on top of him.

The death played a big role in the BLM’s decision to close the mill to the public in 1997 but the move did little to stop dangerous visits to the site, Struble said.
“We’ve fenced the thing a number of times. They’ve always been torn down,” Struble said.

Concrete floors are holed. Crumbling walls could collapse at any time. Underground mill sumps are full of water.

The situation is simply unacceptable, federal officials concluded. A 2008 audit of the site by the Department of Interior’s Office of Inspector General concluded the mill posed “high risk” of liability to the government.

The BLM’s decision, released Wednesday, will require demolition of eight mill buildings and the filling of voids and tunnels. Building footprints and other disturbed areas will be filled and land planted with native vegetation. Total cost is estimated at $3.2 million.

Funding and scheduling of the project have yet to be determined.

Under an agreement with the Nevada State Historic Preservation Office, the BLM “will document and interpret” historic resources at the site prior to demolition. The mill is part of the Virginia City National Historic Landmark.

Struble acknowledges some may be unhappy over the decision to tear the mill’s ruins down.

“This may not be popular. Generations of people have gone up there,” Struble said.
One critic, Virginia City resident Joe Curtis, who authored the book “American Flat: Stepchild of the Comstock,” attacked the decision.

“I’m incensed they are going to raze that,” said Curtis, 65.

While he recognized the mill in its current state poses dangers, some of the site should be retained to provide a “visible historical reference,” Curtis said.

The government may realistically have little alternative, Rocha said.

“It looks like it’s been bombed out,” Rocha said. “It draws your attention but you can see it’s in terrible disrepair and there’s tremendous danger there. I don’t think BLM has a choice.”

***

A story in tomorrow's Reno Gazette-Journal will look at the American Flat mill site, an historic complex of mining buildings built near Virginia City in the 1920s and a popular location for teen partying, paintball battles and graffiti spraying.

The site will soon be torn down under a decision by the Bureau of Land Management. The place is simply too dangerous, BLM officials say. If you have any memories of going out to American Flat, share them here.

BLM seeking public comment on proposal for United Comstock Merger Mill at American Flat

April 19, 2010
By ThisIsReno

SUBMITTED NEWS RELEASE

CARSON CITY — The Bureau of Land Management (BLM), Carson City District-Sierra Front Field Office is seeking public comment on a proposal to abate safety hazards at the United Comstock Merger Mill at American Flat in Storey County, Nevada. A recent audit by the U.S. Department of the Interior’s Office of the Inspector General identified the abandoned property as a continuing high-risk public safety hazard responsible for a death and numerous injuries and as a liability to the U.S. Government.

The BLM will host public open house meetings regarding the proposal on Tuesday, April 27, 5:30 p.m. to 8:30 p.m. at the BLM-Carson City District Office, 5665 Morgan Mill Road, Carson City, and on Wednesday, April 28, 5 p.m. to 8 p.m. at the Storey County Senior Citizens Center, 100 Mill Street, Virginia City, Nevada. Comments will be accepted through May 27 and should be addressed to Dan Jacquet, BLM-Carson City District Office, 5665 Morgan Mill Road, Carson City, NV 89701, or e-mailed to Daniel_jacquet@blm.gov. A webpage for the project has also been developed at: http://www.blm.gov/nv/st/en/fo/carson_city_field/blm_information/nepa/comstock_merger_mill.html

The BLM invites the public to help develop possible management alternatives to be analyzed in an environmental assessment to reduce site safety hazards while documenting and mitigating possible impacts to cultural and historical resources. Alternatives may include full or partial demolition or other measures to protect the public, such as fencing or site security.

“The millsite at American Flat is considered historically significant to many people,” said Dan Jacquet, BLM Community Liaison. “The BLM hopes everyone interested in this site attends these meetings so their ideas and concerns can be addressed. Public comments and suggestions will be considered in the preparation of a draft environmental assessment, which, when completed, will be available for public review.”

The United Comstock Merger Mill was built in 1922 to process local gold and silver ore utilizing cyanide vat leaching in what was then described as the largest concrete mill in the United States, which makes it historically significant. Since abandonment in 1924, this seven-acre mill site has been used as a place to hold parties, post graffiti, and conduct paintball wars despite physical safety hazards from falling concrete, underground mill sumps filled with water, and holes in the concrete flooring.

The BLM published a Federal Register Notice in 1997 to close the historic mill buildings to public entry in response to a fatality at the site. Regardless of the closure and repeated efforts by the BLM to fence, gate and post the site with warning signs, the property still receives visitors in trespass. According to the Storey County Sheriff’s Department, emergency vehicles respond to at least six serious injuries on the property every year, mostly from visitors climbing on and falling from the mill buildings which are as much as 80 feet in height.

American Flat to be demolished
by F.T. Norton
ftnorton@nevadaappeal.com
Courtesy of Bureau of Land Management

Eighty-three years after it was abandoned and became a gathering place for graffiti artists, paintballers and partiers, American Flat in Storey County is slated for demolition.

A 2008 audit of the site by the Department of Interior, Office of the Inspector General found the mill site to be a high-risk liability to the U.S. government.

According to the BLM, all eight mill buildings will be demolished, voids and tunnels filled and building footprints and other disturbed areas revegetated.

Project funding and a schedule for demolition and reclamation of the mill site have not yet been identified.

“The buildings at the mill site will be removed and the site totally reclaimed for public health and safety on public land,” said Linda Kelly, BLM Sierra Front Field Office Manager. “Taking this action affords the greatest level of public safety over the long term and is the most feasible to fund and implement.”

The United Comstock Merger Mill site is located on public lands near Gold Hill.

The mill was built in the early 1920s to process local gold and silver ore utilizing cyanide vat leaching in what was then described as the largest concrete mill in the United States, which makes it historically significant. Since abandonment around 1927, this seven-acre mill site has been used as a place to hold parties, post graffiti, and conduct paintball wars despite physical safety hazards from falling concrete, underground mill sumps filled with water, and holes in the concrete flooring.

The Flats, as its known to locals, can be seen from the newly constructed V&T Railroad tracks. Hundreds of people every year have taken the pitted dirt road west of Gold Hill to explore the massive tunnel system and add their own mark to the colorful graffiti that covers the long-abandoned buildings' concrete skeletons.

Despite its dilapidated state very few serious injury accidents have occurred at the Flats.

In 1996, a 44-year-old Wisconsin man died after wrecking a rented four-wheel vehicle there. A press release sent out at the time stated that was the first fatality at the site.

Since then no other deaths have been recorded.

An Environmental Assessment states local agency officials possibly recall an additional fatality, injuries from stabbings, falls, burns and shootings, vehicle accidents and rollovers, wildland fires originating from illegal bonfires and reports of stripped stolen vehicles found there. No records on such incidents were available.

BLM seeking public input on American Flat

May 17, 2011
By ThisIsReno
CARSON CITY — The Bureau of Land Management (BLM), Carson City District-Sierra Front Field Office is seeking public input through provisions in Section 106 of the National Historic Preservation Act on a proposal to reduce site safety hazards at the United Comstock Merger Mill at American Flat (AFM) in Storey

County, Nevada. The BLM requests public input on the identification of historic properties and comments on potential effects analyzed in the environmental assessment to the AFM complex relative to regulation 36 CFR Part 800.2(d) and 800.3(e).

A public meeting is scheduled for June 6, 2011 from 4:30 p.m. to 6:30 p.m. at the BLM-Carson City District Office, 5665 Morgan Mill Road in Carson City. Additionally, the BLM will be providing section 106 project updates in public meetings to the Storey County Commissioners at 2 p.m. on June 7, 2011 and to the Comstock Historic District Commission at 7 p.m. on June 13, 2011.

Comments will be accepted through June 17, 2011, and should be addressed to Colleen Sievers, Project Manager, BLM-Carson City District Office, 5665 Morgan Mill Road, Carson City, NV 89701, or e-mailed to AmericanFlat_EA@blm.gov. After the Section 106 process is completed, the BLM will issue a Decision Record for the project, which would initiate a 30-day public appeal period.

BLM prepared an Environmental Assessment (EA), entitled Environmental
Assessment – United Comstock Merger Mill at American Flat
(DOI-BLM-NV-C020-2010-0017-EA), to analyze a variety of alternatives to
mitigate safety and historical resources concerns on the mill site. The EA
and related documents are available on the webpage at: http://www.blm.gov/nv/st/en/fo/carson_city_field/blm_information/nepa/comstock_merger_mill.html

The AFM site is located on public lands within the Virginia City Landmark
District near Gold Hill, Nevada. The mill was built in 1922 to process
local gold and silver ore utilizing cyanide vat leaching in what was then
described as the largest concrete mill in the United States. This historic
property is significant because of its association with the Comstock Mining
District. Since abandonment in 1924, this seven-acre mill site has been
used as a place to hold parties, post graffiti, and conduct paintball wars
despite physical safety hazards from falling concrete, underground mill
sumps filled with water, and holes in the concrete flooring.

A 2008 audit of the site by the Department of Interior, Office of the
Inspector General (OIG), found the AFM to be a high risk liability to the
U.S. Government. The BLM’s proposed management actions at AFM will promote
public health and safety on public land and comply with the direction of
the Office of the Inspector General that BLM “identify and resolve
trespassing on abandoned mine sites and assess and mitigate hazards
associated with these sites” (DOI 2008). The need of the action is to
mitigate or abate the physical human safety hazards present on the AFM
site, while addressing historic resources.

For more information, please contact Colleen Sievers at 775-885-6000.

American Flat Mill Site Closed; Demolition Underway

Updated: Fri 9:22 PM, Nov 14, 2014

By: Chris Buckley - Email

GOLD HILL, Nev. - The American Flat Mill Site outside of Virginia City is now closed to the public. The full closure order went into effect on Friday. Demolition is underway.

"We're in the preliminary stages of demolition," Leon Thomas of the Bureau of Land Management, Carson City District Office said. "We are mobilizing all equipment so we can go ahead and get rolling as far as demolition for the American Flat Mill site."

The area, known to many as American Flats, has been a gathering place for tourists and locals alike since the mill closed in the 1920s. Graffiti covers the crumbling walls that once made up one of the largest concrete structures of its time.

"The place has a warm spot in the hearts of many on the Comstock," said Michael "Bert" Bedeau of the Comstock Historic District Commission. "It's been used over the years for a wide variety of purposes, none of which were particularly sanctioned by the BLM. It was a party site, it was a paint ball place, it's obviously been an attractive place for artists of all styles so it's had a wide variety of uses since it actually declined and became a ruin."

A 2008 report from the Office of the Inspector General listed the site as a potential safety risk.

"There's tagging all over and if you look at the top you wonder, how did people get up there and tag," Thomas said. "People are climbing to the very top of the structures, we have concrete falling, we have Rebar, we have people trying to go into the structures where we have standing water where people can fall in and drown, hit their heads, so there were several safety issues we were concerned about at this site."

The plan is to complete demolition by next February and then restore the area with natural vegetation, add interpretive panels and open the area back up by 2016.

"We are doing a full interpretation of what was here before," Thomas said. "We're doing a diorama for the history museum, we have done a full historic American Engineering record that gives a full-blown view of the buildings inside and out before demolition that will be held with the National Park Service and we're doing a 15-minute documentary illustrating the site."

UNR Journalism Professor Howard Goldbaum has photographed the site extensively and is in the process of creating a virtual tour of the grounds and buildings.

"From various vantage points on the hillsides you can click into the center of the structures and you will be able to go into each of the buildings, point by point, 360 degrees and up and down," Goldbaum said. "When completed, the project will have more than 120 different points going into the buildings, into the system of tunnels and up to the Virginia & Truckee Railroad in the hills above."

He hopes to augment current images with historic photographs. There's a preview of this tour at www.allaroundnevada.com/american-flat-mill-sample/

It was a sad day for many on the Comstock.

"I think it's really said, it's a historical place," said Ashley Sturges, who works in Virginia City. "A lot of people came from different states to see this place and I think it's sad to see it go. I'm sure a lot of others feel that way too."

It was a place that held fond memories for a lot of residents here.

"My Dad and I used to go quail hunting out there and it's just a beautiful place," Virginia City resident Krra Wood said. "It's a great piece of art and people should have the opportunity to go see it, like an open museum. If you're allowed to walk through the cemetery and enjoy that concrete art then why can't you go out and enjoy American Flats?"

She says a lot of visitors were attracted to the site during their time in Virginia City.

"People from all over the world come here and they'd ask us about the mill, wonder why it's closing," Wood said. "To say because it's a hazard, they'd always say the same thing, well, hasn't it always been a hazard? I think you could easily put some limitations on it rather than tearing the whole thing down."

Groups did voice their opposition to the demolition but ultimately, it wasn't enough.

"I'm disappointed," Bedeau said. "There was input given to the BLM but we didn't have people marching in the streets or anything like that. We had hoped that perhaps the BLM would work to find an alternative to demolishing the site but after the process was complete they still decided to tear the place down."

He says the mill was the last serious attempt to make mining in the historic period work. It was only operational for a few years.

"This mill represented a major investment in the 1920s to try and make something of the ore that was left up here, low-grade ore, and unfortunately the economic model this was all based on didn't work," Bedeau said. "The price of silver plunged and they couldn't make any money off their investment so it was rapidly shut down and gutted. It became a ruin very shortly thereafter."

This is how longtime local David Toroni remembers it:

"It was a home away from home for myself in my teens. We always respected it as enter at your own risk. It became a free party palace basically for generations. We used to have keggers there, kind of an outlaw party place, one of the last in the true west. The catacombs below, the hall of kings, hall of spiders, the main building. Art was painted by visitors from all over the planet. Bonfires, friends, music, graffiti and true Nevada freedom without interruption - that's what it was. It is sad to see a true generational relic fall to the face of extinction. It will forever be remembered as our sacred home away from home."

Custom Search

AngelOfThyNight On Twitter AngelOfThyNight's Personal Blog AngelOfThyNight On Youtube ParanormalGhostSociety At Yahoo

Although we do not require it we ask that each viewer donates leisurely or subscribes therefore we ask that you take the time to gift us even if its minimal. All proceeds go towards the cost to maintain our site, equipment, gear and other services. For years we have taken our donations and applied them towards many of the trips that you see visible on our site. We know that times are tough so we are not asking you to go broke donating to our cause therefore donate leisurely when you can. On an average PGS spends more then we ever receive from the volunteer work that we do. Our equipment does often break down due to the elements and more then often it needs dire replacement. Please use the donate button to gift The Paranormal & Ghost Society when its at your convenience or if you prefer to gift us yearly you can do so using the subscribe button. As a Gold or Platinum member YOU WILL recieve a copy of AngelOfThyNight Radio on disc which contains hours of stand up comedy, bloopers, entertainment and various paranormal topics. The more seasons we perform the more episodes you will recieve on disc. Since we are a nonprofit group there is no monetary gain even if you donate a dollar a month we thank you for your support and loyalty. I want our viewers to know the hardwork that comes with our explorations which go all the way from dangerous expeditions to being broken down in the desert. We have been a reputable Paranormal Group for over ten years and our work has been legendary. What promise will future years hold for us? Find out and help support our cause united as one not because we are asking but because we need your friendship and love for what we do within our society to contineously improve our explorations and services. We THANK each and everyone one of you for your membership with us!

If you have any questions you can email us at AngelOfThyNight@aol.com or if you prefer to donate using via postal mail contact us for our Po Box. If you wish to donate using paypal you can can do so at pondercorp57@yahoo.com Their are no refunds so we ask that if you are a member of our society or you are gifting The Paranormal & Ghost Society that this is something you are serious about and want to do even if its a one red cent. Once we recieve donations we apply them immediately towards the website cost, equipment and our budget immediately. AngelOfThyNight and The Paranormal & Ghost Society is a volunteer service composed of our staff who continues to bring our viewers this free site and its services voluntarily. It is important for our viewers to play some involvement with our funding so that we can continue to do so for many more years to come.

"Over 10 Years Of Upstanding Paranormal Eloquence & Service"

Mib, conspiracy, time travel, spectres, Armageddon, prophets, prophecy, paranormal, ghosts, aliens, haunted houses, Cryptozoology, dimensions, apocalypse, Atlantis, curses, monsters, wild man, yeti, cemetery, stigmata, vampyre, vampires, angels, bizarre, metaphysics, Atlanta, Louisiana, Myrtle Beach, planet x, mothman, jersey devil, apparitions, werewolf, werewolves, devils, vortexes, Bermuda triangle, lycanthropes, mystery, ancient, spirits, cydonia, mythology, Charlotte, Atlanta ,Mobile, possession, possess, mailing list, parapsychology, poltergeist, evp, investigation, crop circles, Roswell, abduction, project blue book, living dinosaurs, religious miracles, NY, sightings, north Carolina, south, brown mountain, cleansing, shadowmen, beast, ogopogo, death, portals, spontaneous human combustion, zombies, Ouija boards, nostradamus, Edgar Cayce, art bell, George Nooray, Magick, Paganism, Wicca, Tennessee, Halloween, bigfoot, Sasquatch, ufo, grays, ufos, vortexes, alien, hybrids, Hauntings, demons, demonology, occult, Magick, mystics, lochness, chupacabras, equipment, Thermal, EMF, Cassadaga, energy, asteroid ,civil war, spooky, scary, adventure, ectoplasm, orbs, graveyards, demons, spirits, cults, buffalo, new York, ghost society, logo wear, equipment, books, videos, music, certification, Castles, Forts, fortean, phenomena, nonprofit ,business, investigations, SHC, EMF, ghost hunting, organization, conventions, hollow earth, paranormal & ghost Society, detector, posters, mailboxes, donate, Buffalo, X-files, Ectoplasm, Magick, spells, Wicca, paganism, holy, cross, Armageddon, NWO, Patriot, 911, September 11th, tours, Cryptid, ghost lights, dinosaurs, Florida, Fl, Daytona Beach, Jacksonville, St. Augustine's, Debary, Miami, Tampa bay, Sarasota, Pensacola, NASA, Cape Canaveral, Space Coast, space shuttle, gulf breeze, key west, Sanford, port orange, Ormond beach, New Smyrna, Orlando, Disney world, Tallahassee, Stetson university, panama city, Alabama, Georgia, Savannah, New Orleans, Cocoa Beach, Ocala, plantations, Fort Lauderdale, Melbourne, Naples, Lake Wales, grim reaper, everglades, Seminoles, big cats, Fort Myers's. Petersburg, Lakeland, Gainesville, West Palm Beach, bike week, spring break, Deland, Deltona, Orange City, weird, strange, bizarre, mysterious, rituals, skunk ape, adventure, ships, Bermuda triangle, ghost pirates, ball lightening, Elves, Fairies, Faeries, Dwarves, Mystical, Mystify, Port Orange, Edgewater, Clear Water, FSU, Abandoned, Buildings, Stories, New Age, Occult, Paganism, Tours, Ghost walks, Cydonian, Pyramids, Ancient, Dead, Soul, Spiritual, Metaphysical, Aura, Tarot, Naples, Key West, Ever Glades, Kissimmee, Sanford, Orange City, Volusia County, WNY, Asylum, Entity, Entities, Comet, Space, Ponce Inlet, Dimensions, Mist, Fog, Horror, Radio, Television, Spontaneous Human Combustion, Telepathy, Telekinesis, Magic, pubs, castles, churches, bars, tracks, exorcism, October, Books, Posters, Lake Helen, Fort Lauderdale, Psychic, Gargoyles, Crystal Skulls, Champ, Mutation, Miracles, Virgin Mary, Prehistoric, Historical, Being, Men In Black, Visitors, Mailing List, Mounds, Astronauts, Beam, Reptilian, Dolce, Specters, Bell Witch, Warlock, Shadowman, Palm Beach, Tallahassee, Holly Hill, Miami, Winter Park, Global Warming, Contrails, Chemtrails, Flagler, Homestead, Emerald Coast, Fort Myers, Fort Walton Beach, Naples, Punta Gorda, Birmingham, Decatur, Dothan, Montgomery, Tuscaloosa, Columbus, Charleston, Myrtle Beach, Sumter, Athens, Raleigh Durham, Alexandria, Lafayette, Lake Charles, Monroe, Shreveport, Bossier City, Greenville, Onslow, Piedmont Triad, Hampton Roads, Huntington - Ashland Area, Huntsville Area, Idaho Falls - Pocatello Area, Indianapolis, Iowa City, Jackson, MI, Jackson, MS, Jackson, TN, Jacksonville, Jefferson County, Johnstown - Altoona, Johnstown, Jonesboro, Joplin, Joplin - Pittsburg, Juneau, Kansas City, Knoxville, La Crosse, Lafayette Area, Lafayette, IN, Lafayette, LA, Lake Charles, Lansing - East Lansing, Lansing Metro, Laredo, Las Cruces, Las Vegas, Lawton, Lehigh Valley, Lewiston - Auburn, Lexington, Lima, Lincoln, Little Rock, Little Rock - Pine Bluff Area, Long Island, Longview, Los Angeles, Louisville, Lubbock, Lynchburg Area, Madison, Madison Metro, Mankato Area, Marquette, Memphis, Merced, Meridian, Michiana, Milwaukee, Missoula, Mobile, Mobile Pensacola Area, Monroe, Monterey Bay Area, Montgomery, Myrtle Beach Area, Naples, Nashville, National, New Orleans, New York, North Central Ohio, Northeastern Pennsylvania, Northeastern South Carolina, Northern Alabama, North Jersey, North Platte Area, Northwest Alabama, Northwest Arkansas Area, Northwest Arkansas, Oklahoma City, Omaha, Onslow County, Opelika Auburn, Orange County, Orlando, Ottumwa - Kirksville, Owensboro, Palm Springs Area, Pensacola, Peoria - Pekin, Philadelphia, Phoenix, Piedmont Triad, Pine Bluff, Pittsburgh, Portland, OR, Portland, Portsmouth Rochester, Presque Isle Area, Providence, Pueblo, Punta Gorda, Quad Cities, Quincy - Hannibal - Keokuk, Raleigh Durham, Rapid City, Redding - Chico, Redding, Red River Valley, Reno, Richland - Kennewick Area, Richmond, Rio Grande Valley Area, Roanoke, Rochester, MN, Rochester, NY, Rock County, Rockford, Sacramento, Saginaw - Bay City - Midland, Salt Lake City, San Angelo, San Antonio, San Diego, San Francisco, San Jose, Santa Barbara, Savannah Area, Scranton Wilkes Barre, Seattle, Sharon, Shenandoah Valley, Sherman - Denison, Shreveport - Bossier City, Shreveport, LA Area, Sioux City, Sioux Falls, South Bend, Southeastern North Carolina, Southern Colorado, Southern Maine, Southern Oregon, Southern Washington Area, Southern West Virginia, South Florida, Southwestern Indiana, Southwest Florida, Southwest Georgia, Spokane, Springfield Area, Springfield - Decatur - Danville, Springfield, MO, Springfield, State College, Steubenville - Weirton, St. Joseph, St. Louis, Sumter, Syracuse, Tallahassee Area, Tampa Bay, Terre Haute, Texarkana, Toledo - Findlay Metro, Toledo, Topeka Area, Tri - Cities, Tri - State Area: KY - IL - MO, Tucson - Sierra Vista, Tulare County, Tulsa, Tuscaloosa, Twin Cities, Twin Falls Area, Tyler Area, Tyler, Utica - Rome, Victoria, Waco, Washington, DC, Waterloo Cedar Falls, Watertown Area, Wausau - Rhinelander Area, West Central Ohio, West Central Wisconsin, Western Carolina - NW Georgia, Western North Carolina, West Palm Beach, West Texas, Wheeling - Steubenville Metro, Wheeling, Wichita Falls & Lawton, Wichita Falls, Wichita & Western Kansas, Williamsport, Yakima, Youngstown - Warren, Yuma, Zanesville, Altamonte Springs, Crescent City, Eustis, Hollywood, Leesburg, Jupiter, Neptune Beach, New Port Richey, Lake Wales, Lake Mary, Titusville, St Cloud, Santa Rosa, Palmetto, Vero Beach, St. Petersburg, Baton Rouge, Meridian, Jackson, Hattiesburg, Biloxi, Pascagoula, Gulfport, Seminole, Bordin Booger, Panama City, Goblyn, Ghouls, Loch Ness, Nessie, Bessie, Selkies, Mermaids, Sirens, Kraken, Dragons, Plesiosaur, Loveland Frog, Sprites, Seljord serpent, Exmoor Beast, Big Cats, Lake Normon, Lake Bala, Cressie, Alkali, Illiamna Lake Monster, Cressie, Nyami Nyami, Masbate, Ponik, Chessie, Selma, Tacoma Sea Serpent, Storsie, Cadborsaurus, Lake Utopia, Gloucester, Lake Tianchi Monster, Tessie, Mokele-Mbembe, Mongolian Death Worm, Impakta,Orang-Pendek,Owlman, Easter Island, Olifiau Monster of Flatwoods, Big Bird, Tatzelwurm, GOATMAN OF MARYLAND , BEAST OF BODMIN MOOR, Kaptar, Biabin-guli, Grendel, Ferla Mohir, Brenin Ilwyd, Ngoloko, Kikomba, Gin-sung, Yeti, Mirygdy ,Mecheny, Chinese Wildman, Nguoi Rung, SPRING HEELED JACK, Pressie, Hardin, White River, Parapsychology, Elves, Bennington Triangle, Marfa Lights, OBE, Astral, Enigma, Urban Exploration, Tunnels, Caves, Gaia, earth, healing, new age, runes, goddess, covens, Asatru, Asatruar, Druid, Druidism, Druidry, Druids, Odian, Odianism, Odians, Odin, Odinism, Odinist, Odinists, Santeria, Santerian, Santerians, Setian, Setianism, Setians, Strega, Stregheria, Wicca, Wiccans, Witch, Witchcraft, Witches, Pagan, Paganism, Neo-Pagan, Neo-Paganism,Neo-Pagans, poetry, cats, faerie, fairy, faeries, elements, occult, metaphysics, reiki, alchemy, shaman, Shaman, Shamanism, Celtic, Native American, Norse, tarot, divination, circle, fellowship, Samhain, Yule, Imbolic, Ostara, Beltane, Midsummer, Lughnassah, Mabon, crystals, nature, moon, mythology, sabbat, chants, dragons, tantra, singles, dating, willow, fire, Isis, gothic, renaissance, numerology, astrology, Rite, Rites, altar, Mysticism, brews, Deity, Talisman, Voodoo, charms, Bos, Diana, Hecate, Astarte, Kali, Fey, Pan, Loki, Totems, Spirit Guide, psychic, Angels, white, Sacred, Green, Aura, Elementals, mage, magic, Solstice, Equinox, Palm Reading, Charms, Deity, Invocations, Thermal Detector, Radiological, Ion, Video Cameras, Micro cassette Player, Centaurs, Cerebral Anoxia, Clairoleofactor, Clairvoyance, Cosmology, Cryptomnesia, Abductee, Aigypan, Alchemy, Animism, Automatic Writing, ESP, Daemon, Deja Vu, Dematerialization, Demonology, Discarnate Spirits, Disembodied, Doppelganger, Dowsing, EEG or Electro-encephalography, Empathy, Gaus, Banshee, Basilisk, Body Snatcher, Bunyip, CA, Sacramento, San Francisco, Oakland, Chico, Lake Tahoe, Jackson, California, Research, Myspace, Bands, Music, Electronics, Suvival Gear, Protection, Adult, Amazson, EBAY, MYSPACE, Gothic, Rock, New Age, Alternative, Punk, Amibent, Electronic, England, France, Paris, Australia, Trains, Mine, Radio, AngelOfThyNight, Dark, Cursed, Sin City, Canyon, Desert, Mojave, Adsense, Google, Best Buy, Flashlight, EMF, Energy, Cult, Church, Nightfall Radio, Tagged, Yahoo, Messenger, Prophet, God, Godlike, Dark Matter, Lake Tahoe, Sierra Nevada's, Carson City, Minden, Gardnerville, Markleeville, Woodfords, Carson City, Carson Valley, Indian Hills, Sparks, Reno, Fernley, Dayton, Truckee, Fredericksberg, Ranchos, Genoa, Kingsbury,Fallon, Washoe, Pleasant Valley,Silver Springs, Silver City, Gold Hill, Virginia City, Moundhouse, Empire, Dresslerville, Smith Valley, Yerington, Wellington, Sacramento,Stockton, Sonora, Angels Camp, Placerville, Folsom Lake, Topaz Lake,Forest Hill, Alpine, Douglas County, Philips, Nebelhorn, Wadsworth, Patrick, Meyers, Columbia, Jamestown, Churchhill, Lyon County, El Dorado County, Amador County,Placer County and Storey County