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315 South Humboldt Street Battle Mountain, Nevada, 89820
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Lander County was formed on December 19, 1862 and was named after General Frederick W. Lander, Civil War hero and prominent builder of a wagon road across Nevada. Situated in the center of the state, the Lander County region attracted prospectors fanning out across the Great Basin after the 1859 discovery of the Comstock Lode. The County originally encompassed the eastern third of the State and was called "The Mother of Counties."
It was later divided into the Counties of Lander, Eureka, White Pine, and Elko. The first County seat was located in Jacobsville, six miles west of Austin. In September, 1863, voters mandated its move to Austin and in May, 1979 to Battle Mountain.
Located in north central Nevada, Lander County encompasses 5,621 square miles. Over 85 percent of the County is currently public land managed by federal agencies. Interstate 80 traverses the County in an east-west fashion on the northern end, as does Highway 50 on the southern end. State Highway 305, which runs north and south, bisects the center of Lander County. This highway links the cities of Battle Mountain and Austin. The town of Kingston is located in the southern part of Lander County on Highway 376.
The total population of Lander County in 2002 was estimated to be 5691. The population density is relatively .99 persons per square mile. Approximately 85 percent of Lander County residents live in the northern portion of the County.
In recent years Lander County's economy has been dominated by mining. Agriculture also plays a significant role in the local economy. High quality alfalfa and alfalfa seed is produced. Although the mining industry has declined in Lander County in recent years, it is still the dominant sector of the local economy.
Lander County claims fame to celebrations and events which include Austin Gridley Days, the Claim Jumpers Bike Festival, the Pony Express Open Road Rally, the Human Powered Race, Kington Chukar Day, the Covered Wagon Days Trail Ride, the annual Basque Dinner and Picnic, the Performing Arts Crab Feed, the Community Christmas Celebration, the 4th of July Festival, the Lander County Fair and it's newest event, the Chukar Tournament and Feed.
