Las Vegas Sun

March 28, 2024

Tonopah in search of a few good ‘Jim Butlers’

Tonopah is calling all Jim Butlers who want to share in the town's founder's day celebration.

Jim Butler Days is held each year over the Memorial Day weekend, marking the founding of this small town midway between Las Vegas and Reno.

This year, the town is inviting everyone with the name Jim Butler to serve as grand marshals of the Jim Butler Days Parade on May 25.

The founding of Tonopah dates to May 1900 when Butler was prospecting near a mountaintop spring known to the Shoshone Indians as "Tonopah," meaning "small water."

He camped for the night, arose the next morning to find his burros had strayed, and located them near a rock ledge. He took samples from the ledge, had them assayed, and discovered large amounts of gold and silver ore.

The discovery set off Nevada's second gold rush.

Jim Butlers wishing to participate in the 1996 event should contact Bill Graunke, Box 1911, Tonopah, NV 89049, or call 482-6461.

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