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High on the most easterly mountain slopes of Nevada lies the town of Sprucemont. In a setting of pine and spruce forest, this once beautiful town was established after a lead silver strike in 1869. By 1871, five mines and a smelter were in full operation. Sprucemont had livery stables, saloons, a butcher shop, post office, blacksmith shop, and, surprisingly, only a population of 200. The main street is located a few miles from the mining area. Operations ceased in 1872 when the smelter could not handle the district's lead silver ores sufficiently. Work resumed at intervals until 1874. Other companies, experimenting with new smelters
to treat the ore, worked the mines with limited success. By 1880, Sprucemont only had 50 miners left. Sprucemont's
on again, off again revivals produced a total output of less than $3 million.
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