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m Robot: Fixing double redirect to Gerlach–Empire, Nevada
separate CDP as of 2010
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{{Infobox settlement
#REDIRECT [[Gerlach–Empire, Nevada]]
|official_name = Gerlach, Nevada
|settlement_type = [[Census-designated place]]
|nickname =
|motto =

<!-- Images -->
|image_skyline =
|imagesize =
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|image_seal =

<!-- Maps -->
|image_map = Washoe_County_Nevada_Incorporated_and_Unincorporated_areas_Gerlach-Empire_Highlighted.svg
|mapsize = 250x200px
|map_caption = Location of Gerlach, Nevada
|image_map1 =
|mapsize1 =
|map_caption1 =

<!-- Location -->
|coordinates_region = US-NV
|subdivision_type = [[List of countries|Country]]
|subdivision_name = [[United States]]
|subdivision_type1 = [[Political divisions of the United States|State]]
|subdivision_name1 = [[Nevada]]
|subdivision_type2 =
|subdivision_name2 =
|government_footnotes =
|government_type =
|leader_title =
|leader_name =
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|leader_name1 =
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|established_date =

<!-- Area -->
|unit_pref = Imperial
|area_footnotes =
|area_magnitude =
|area_total_km2 = 8.1
|area_land_km2 = 8.1
|area_water_km2 = 0.0
|area_total_sq_mi =
|area_land_sq_mi =
|area_water_sq_mi =

<!-- Population -->
|population_as_of = [[2010 United States Census|2010]]
|population_footnotes =
|population_total = 206
|population_density_km2 = auto
|population_density_sq_mi =

<!-- General information -->
|timezone = [[Pacific Time Zone|Pacific (PST)]]
|utc_offset = -8
|timezone_DST = PDT
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|elevation_footnotes =
|elevation_m =
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|coordinates_display = display=inline,title
|latd = 40 |latm = 39 |lats = 5 |latNS = N
|longd = 119 |longm = 21 |longs = 24 |longEW = W

<!-- Area/postal codes & others -->
|postal_code_type = [[ZIP code]]s
|postal_code = 89412
|area_code = [[Area code 775|775]]
|blank_name = [[Federal Information Processing Standard|FIPS code]]
|blank_info = 32-27300
|blank1_name =
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}}

'''Gerlach''' is a [[census-designated place]] (CDP) in [[Washoe County, Nevada|Washoe County]], [[Nevada]], [[United States]]. The population was 206 at the [[2010 United States Census|2010 census]].<ref name="Census 2010">{{cite web| url=http://factfinder2.census.gov/bkmk/table/1.0/en/DEC/10_DP/G001/1600000US3227300| title=Geographic Identifiers: 2010 Demographic Profile Data (G001): Gerlach CDP, Nevada| publisher=U.S. Census Bureau, American Factfinder| accessdate=January 16, 2013}}</ref> It is part of the [[Reno, Nevada|Reno]]&ndash;[[Sparks, Nevada|Sparks]] [[Reno-Sparks metropolitan area|Metropolitan Statistical Area]]. Prior to 2010, Gerlach was part of the [[Gerlach–Empire, Nevada|Gerlach–Empire]] census-designated place. The town of [[Empire, Nevada|Empire]] is now a separate CDP. The next nearest town, [[Nixon, Nevada|Nixon]], is {{convert|60|mi|-1}} to the south on a reservation owned by the [[Pyramid Lake Indian Reservation|Pyramid Lake Paiute Tribe]].

==Geography==
According to the [[United States Census Bureau]], the Gerlach CDP has a total area of {{convert|8.1|sqkm|disp=flip}}, all land.<ref name="Census 2010"/> Its elevation is {{convert|3946|ft|abbr=on}}.

==Economy==
The economy of Gerlach focuses on tourism in the nearby [[Black Rock Desert]], and hunting. [[Gypsum]] mining was the historic staple of the local economy until 2011. Nearby Empire was a [[company town]] of the [[USG Corporation|United States Gypsum Corporation]] (USG) until the plant closed on January 31, 2011, eliminating 95 jobs.<ref name=HP062211>[http://www.huffingtonpost.com/2011/06/21/empire-nevada-recession_n_881816.html?ncid=edlinkusaolp00000009 Huffington Post: "Empire, Nevada Completely Wiped Out By Recession", June 22, 2011.]</ref><ref name="CSM_20110611">{{Cite web
| last = Bruder | first = Jessica
| title = Slump in construction industry creates a Sheetrock ghost town
| work = The Christian Science Monitor | publisher = Yahoo! News
| date = June 11, 2011
| url = http://news.yahoo.com/s/csm/20110611/ts_csm/388321
| accessdate = June 12, 2011}}</ref>

The other major industries are a Union Pacific switching station in Gerlach and public services of [[Washoe County, Nevada|Washoe County]], which includes its roads department and a K–12 public school owned by the [[Washoe County School District]]; the future of the Gerlach K–12 School is unknown, as it is estimated that after the gypsum plant closes only around a dozen children will remain in Gerlach.<ref name=HP062211/> Many of the inhabitants of Gerlach are elderly retirees. Many people in Gerlach also have small private businesses. Many are Internet-based, due to the town's remote location. Hunters from all over the west travel to Gerlach to hunt a wide variety of game such as [[chukar]], geese, deer, antelope, etc. Joe's Gerlach Club hosts an annual chukar feed in late January. Bruno's restaurant hosts several other private parties in a large room in the back which is available for rent. {{Citation needed|date=June 2011}}

Since 1991, [[Burning Man]], a week long [[countercultural]] festival with 51,454 participants ({{as of|2010|lc=on}}), has been held nearby. Due to the appearance and actions of many of the participants, local enthusiasm is mixed, but the event is responsible for around 20% of the sales at the few commercial establishments in the area, which include the closest permanent fuel and grocery stops to the event site. The [[Black Rock Desert]] is also the site of many other recreational activities, organized and otherwise, throughout the year.<ref>{{Citation |last=Fulbright |first=Leslie |title=A warmer welcome, Residents of small Nevada town profit from annual counter cultural festival |date=August 28, 2005 |url= http://www.sfgate.com/cgi-bin/article.cgi?f=/c/a/2005/08/28/BAGGIEEJU11.DTL |newspaper=[[San Francisco Chronicle]]}}
</ref>

==History==
Gerlach was founded during the construction of the [[Feather River Route]] of the [[Western Pacific Railroad]] between 1905 and 1909.<ref>[http://nevadaculture.org/shpo/index.php?option=com_content&task=view&id=367&Itemid=40 Nevada Historical Marker 152, Nevada Historical Preservation Office]</ref>

==Transportation==
Primary highway access to Gerlach is provided by [[Nevada State Route 447|State Route 447]]. It can also be accessed via three former state highways: [[Nevada State Route 34|State Route 34]], [[Nevada State Route 48|State Route 48]], and [[Nevada State Route 49|State Route 49]] (also known as Jungo Road).

Gerlach has an airfield, simply a graded dirt strip, which is no longer usable. It should not be used unless under emergency.

==In film==
Gerlach was one of the film locations for the film ''[[Far From Home (1989 film)|Far From Home]]'' (1989). Gerlach was also the site for [[Gary Cooper]]'s first (credited) film, ''[[The Winning of Barbara Worth]]'' (1926). {{Citation needed|date=June 2011}}

==Radio==
{{As of|2010|03}} Gerlach now has a non-profit community based radio station founded by Jeff Cotton and Bruce Van Dyke. The call letters are KLAP and it is located at 89.5 on the FM dial. It is also available on line at www.KLAP.fm. It is located at 395 Main Street in the old Gerlach Gas Station and Garage Building Office owned by Gary Schmidt, an original underwriter of the station, along with Twin City Surplus of Reno, Great Basin Brewery of Sparks, and Bruno of Bruno's in Gerlach. The Garage Building was also prominent in the filming of ''Far From Home''.

==References==
{{reflist}}

{{Washoe County, Nevada}}
{{Black Rock Desert}}

[[Category:Census-designated places in Nevada]]
[[Category:Populated places in Washoe County, Nevada]]
[[Category:Company towns in Nevada]]
[[Category:Reno–Sparks metropolitan area]]
[[Category:Ghost towns in Nevada]]
[[Category:Populated places established in 1905]]
[[Category:Unincorporated communities in Nevada]]

Revision as of 18:57, 16 January 2013

Gerlach, Nevada
Census-designated place
Location of Gerlach, Nevada
Location of Gerlach, Nevada
CountryUnited States
StateNevada
Area
 • Total3.1 sq mi (8.1 km2)
 • Land3.1 sq mi (8.1 km2)
 • Water0.0 sq mi (0.0 km2)
Population
 (2010)
 • Total206
 • Density66/sq mi (25/km2)
Time zoneUTC-8 (Pacific (PST))
 • Summer (DST)UTC-7 (PDT)
ZIP codes
89412
Area code775
FIPS code32-27300

Gerlach is a census-designated place (CDP) in Washoe County, Nevada, United States. The population was 206 at the 2010 census.[1] It is part of the Reno–Sparks Metropolitan Statistical Area. Prior to 2010, Gerlach was part of the Gerlach–Empire census-designated place. The town of Empire is now a separate CDP. The next nearest town, Nixon, is 60 miles (100 km) to the south on a reservation owned by the Pyramid Lake Paiute Tribe.

Geography

According to the United States Census Bureau, the Gerlach CDP has a total area of 3.1 square miles (8.1 km2), all land.[1] Its elevation is 3,946 ft (1,203 m).

Economy

The economy of Gerlach focuses on tourism in the nearby Black Rock Desert, and hunting. Gypsum mining was the historic staple of the local economy until 2011. Nearby Empire was a company town of the United States Gypsum Corporation (USG) until the plant closed on January 31, 2011, eliminating 95 jobs.[2][3]

The other major industries are a Union Pacific switching station in Gerlach and public services of Washoe County, which includes its roads department and a K–12 public school owned by the Washoe County School District; the future of the Gerlach K–12 School is unknown, as it is estimated that after the gypsum plant closes only around a dozen children will remain in Gerlach.[2] Many of the inhabitants of Gerlach are elderly retirees. Many people in Gerlach also have small private businesses. Many are Internet-based, due to the town's remote location. Hunters from all over the west travel to Gerlach to hunt a wide variety of game such as chukar, geese, deer, antelope, etc. Joe's Gerlach Club hosts an annual chukar feed in late January. Bruno's restaurant hosts several other private parties in a large room in the back which is available for rent. [citation needed]

Since 1991, Burning Man, a week long countercultural festival with 51,454 participants (as of 2010), has been held nearby. Due to the appearance and actions of many of the participants, local enthusiasm is mixed, but the event is responsible for around 20% of the sales at the few commercial establishments in the area, which include the closest permanent fuel and grocery stops to the event site. The Black Rock Desert is also the site of many other recreational activities, organized and otherwise, throughout the year.[4]

History

Gerlach was founded during the construction of the Feather River Route of the Western Pacific Railroad between 1905 and 1909.[5]

Transportation

Primary highway access to Gerlach is provided by State Route 447. It can also be accessed via three former state highways: State Route 34, State Route 48, and State Route 49 (also known as Jungo Road).

Gerlach has an airfield, simply a graded dirt strip, which is no longer usable. It should not be used unless under emergency.

In film

Gerlach was one of the film locations for the film Far From Home (1989). Gerlach was also the site for Gary Cooper's first (credited) film, The Winning of Barbara Worth (1926). [citation needed]

Radio

As of March 2010 Gerlach now has a non-profit community based radio station founded by Jeff Cotton and Bruce Van Dyke. The call letters are KLAP and it is located at 89.5 on the FM dial. It is also available on line at www.KLAP.fm. It is located at 395 Main Street in the old Gerlach Gas Station and Garage Building Office owned by Gary Schmidt, an original underwriter of the station, along with Twin City Surplus of Reno, Great Basin Brewery of Sparks, and Bruno of Bruno's in Gerlach. The Garage Building was also prominent in the filming of Far From Home.

References

  1. ^ a b "Geographic Identifiers: 2010 Demographic Profile Data (G001): Gerlach CDP, Nevada". U.S. Census Bureau, American Factfinder. Retrieved January 16, 2013.
  2. ^ a b Huffington Post: "Empire, Nevada Completely Wiped Out By Recession", June 22, 2011.
  3. ^ Bruder, Jessica (June 11, 2011). "Slump in construction industry creates a Sheetrock ghost town". The Christian Science Monitor. Yahoo! News. Retrieved June 12, 2011.
  4. ^ Fulbright, Leslie (August 28, 2005), "A warmer welcome, Residents of small Nevada town profit from annual counter cultural festival", San Francisco Chronicle
  5. ^ Nevada Historical Marker 152, Nevada Historical Preservation Office
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