Midas, NV and the Gold Circle mining district were formed when gold was found in 1907, sparking a big gold rush. Numerous claims were staked and the town of Midas sprang up. At its peak in 1908 the population was about two thousand, but quickly dropped down to about 250 people.

The town was originally named Gold Circle, but the postal service refused to open a post office under that name because there were already so many other Nevada towns with "gold" in their names. So the town was renamed Midas, and the post office opened there in November 1907.

Mining activity diminished due to the generally low quality of the ore coupled with high shipping costs. Things picked up a bit when a mill was built at the Elko Prince Mine in 1915. Everything came to a halt when the mill burned in 1922. In 1929 a new mill was built which operated until 1929. Mining continued only sporadically until 1942 when the government shut down all non-essential mines due to the war.

Though greatly diminished, the town was never completely abandoned and is still home to several people to this day. There are some modern homes and a few vintage shacks and cabins. In addition there are a few "reconstructed" buildings made in "Old West" style using doors, windows, lumber, and other artifacts salvaged from ruined structures.

The surrounding hills and canyons are dotted with dozens of old mines, but most of them are devoid of structures. The most interesting mines I found are the Miner's Gold Mine, and the Midas and Elko Prince Mines.

I visited Midas in June 2024.