Rhyolite, a boomtown in Nevada, sprang to life in 1905 following the discovery of gold in the region by prospector Shorty Harris and his partner E.L. Cross. The town rapidly grew, boasting a population of up to 10,000 people at its peak, complete with infrastructure such as banks, a school, and even a stock exchange. However, the prosperity was short-lived; by 1911, the gold mines began to deplete, leading to a swift economic decline. The financial Panic of 1907 also played a role in undermining investor confidence and funding. By 1916, the town was largely abandoned, leaving behind ruins that serve as a poignant reminder of the fleeting nature of such mining boomtowns.
