McDermitt, Nevada and Oregon

McDermitt is an unincorporated community straddling the Nevada–Oregon border, in Humboldt County, Nevada, and Malheur County, Oregon, United States.<ref name=gnis/> McDermitt's economy has historically been based on mining, ranching, and farming. The last mining operation closed in 1990, resulting in a steady decline in population.<ref name=fast/>

As of the 2010 census, the combined population was 513. Seventy-five percent of the residents were American Indian, predominantly Northern Paiute of the Fort McDermitt Indian Reservation, whose members include Shoshone people.<ref name=census2010>Template:Cite web</ref><ref>Template:Cite book</ref>

History

The community, originally called Dugout, was named after Fort McDermit. It was named after Lt. Col. Charles McDermit,<ref name=OGN>Template:Cite OGN</ref><ref>Template:Cite web</ref> commander of the Military District of Nevada, who was killed by Native Americans in a skirmish in the area in 1865.<ref>Template:Cite book</ref> It is not known why there is a discrepancy in the spelling.<ref name=OGN/> Fort McDermit, which was Template:Convert outside the current township, was originally established to protect the stagecoach route from Virginia City through Winnemucca to Silver City, Idaho Territory. The stage road was the military's most important transportation route in southeast Oregon.<ref>Template:Cite web</ref> The township of Dugout was established as support for Fort McDermit.<ref name=fast>Template:Cite web</ref>

Geography and climate

The community is on U.S. Highway 95, Template:Convert north of Winnemucca. The elevation of McDermitt is Template:Convert above sea level.<ref name = "gnis"/>

McDermitt is in the Oregon High Desert with a desert climate (Köppen climate classification BSk), averaging Template:Convert of rain annually with hot, dry summers and cold winters. Most precipitation (47%) occurs from March through June. About 23% occurs from September through November, and 25% from December through February, much as snow.<ref>Template:Cite web</ref><ref>Template:Cite web</ref>

The McDermitt area boasts the longest climatic record in Nevada, with data beginning in 1866. The earliest Nevada climate stations were at Army posts. The U.S. Army Signal Corps was responsible for weather duty in the late 19th century and established the National Weather Service in 1870.<ref>Template:Cite web</ref>

Demographics

Template:US Census population For statistical purposes, the census bureau has allocated McDermitt two census-designated places (CDPs), McDermitt, Nevada and Fort McDermitt, Nevada. The Oregon portion of McDermitt is not part of the McDermitt CDP, but is included in the Ontario, OR–ID Micropolitan Statistical Area.<ref name=census2010/> Essentially the Fort McDermitt CDP entails the Fort McDermitt Indian Reservation and the McDermitt CDP entails the adjoining McDermitt township.

Fort McDermitt CDP

File:Kleinite-Calcite-285098.jpg

Kleinite (a rare mercury mineral) on calcite, from the Cordero Mine, McDermitt. Size: 4.9 x 3.1 x 2.6 cm.

As of the US census of 2010, there were 341 people, of which 30% were under the age of 18 years and 11% (39 people) over the age of 65 years. 92% (313 people) were American Indian, with 3.5% (12 people) described as being of two or more races, and 0.6% (two people) were White. There were 125 housing units with 86% (108) described as occupied. There were 108 males for every 100 females.<ref name=census2010/>

McDermitt CDP

As of the US census of 2010, there were 172 people, of which 18% were under the age of 18 years and 22% (38 people) over the age of 65 years. 24% (42 people) were American Indian, with 0% described as being of two or more races, and 68% (117 people) were White. There were 101 housing units with 77% (78) described as occupied. There were 110 males for every 100 females.<ref name=census2010/>

Ethnic groups

Template:Seealso Template:Seealso In 1937, the majority of the residents were Basque Americans.<ref>Template:Cite news</ref>

Economy

File:Desert Inn Casino, McDermitt, Nevada.jpg

Desert Inn Casino

McDermitt's economy has historically been based on mining, ranching and farming. In the period 1917 to 1989 it was home to four nationally significant mercury mines in the McDermitt CalderaTemplate:Spaced ndashBretz, Opalite, Cordero and McDermittTemplate:Spaced ndashwhich from 1933 to 1989 were the largest producers in North America.<ref name=nevgold/><ref name="Full1968">Template:Cite book</ref> In 1985 of the 16,530 flasks of mercury (each containing Template:Convert produced in the US, 16,337 came from the McDermitt Mine.<ref>Template:Cite news</ref> The closure of mercury mining in 1990 resulted in a significant decline in population.<ref name=census2010/>

Significant gold mines in the nearby Santa Rosa Mountains were the National that produced in excess of Template:Convert, and the Buckskin National that produced Template:Convert of gold and Template:Convert of silver over the period 1906–1941.<ref>Template:Cite web</ref>

Current development activities that may result in renewed mining are at Cordero (gold and silver),<ref name=nevgold>Template:Cite web</ref> Cordero (gallium),<ref>Template:Cite web</ref> Buckskin-National (gold-silver),<ref>Template:Cite web</ref> Aurora (uranium)<ref>Template:Cite web</ref> and Disaster Peak (gold).<ref>Template:Cite web</ref> The largest employers in McDermitt are the Say When Bar, Restaurant & Casino and the McDermitt Combined School.

Government and infrastructure

The United States Postal Service has a post office in McDermitt.<ref>Template:Cite web</ref>

In 1978 law enforcement services were provided by a deputy sheriff from the county.<ref name=Myers>Template:Cite news</ref>

Health care

In 1978, the Fort McDermitt Indian Reservation would send a paramedic in the case of a medical emergency.<ref name=Myers/>

Points of interest

The state line goes through the White Horse Inn, a historical landmark now being restored, which was a saloon, hotel, and (reportedly) brothel.<ref>Template:Cite web</ref> When it was open, food could be ordered and paid for in Oregon, avoiding the Nevada state sales tax.<ref>Template:Cite web</ref>

Education

File:McDermitt Combined School.jpg

McDermitt Combined School

Humboldt County School District operates the McDermitt Combined School, a kindergarten–twelfth grade (K–12) school, in the Nevada side. The Nevada side, including the CDP, is zoned to that district.<ref>Template:Cite map - Text list.</ref>

The Oregon side is zoned to McDermitt School District 51,<ref>Template:Cite map</ref> a school district, governed by a board of directors, which sends all of its students to McDermitt Combined in Nevada and which does not have any employees.<ref>Template:Cite web - Linked from "Schools We Serve"</ref> Circa 2006, 16 students, of all grade levels, lived in the district. In 2006 the district possessed a school building that was no longer used.<ref>Template:Cite web</ref>

Humboldt County is in the service area of Great Basin College.<ref>Template:Cite web</ref> That college maintains the GBC Center in Winnemucca.<ref>Template:Cite web</ref> The section of Malheur County in which McDermitt, Oregon is located in is not in any community college district.<ref>Template:Cite web</ref>

McDermitt has a public library, a branch of the Humboldt County Library.<ref>Template:Cite web</ref>

Transportation

• McDermitt State Airport

See also

• Fort McDermit
• Denio, Nevada
• Hatfield, California–Oregon

External links

• Historic images of McDermitt from Salem Public Library