The town is named after George Lovelock, an early homesteader and shopkeeper who decided to set up camp in this part of the Big Meadows. The area had been passed through by hundreds of wagons for many years but in 1868, when the Central Pacific Railroad laid down its rails, Lovelock became an important way station. Lovelock’s proximity to the river and its central location attracted activity from the mining camps in the mountains and the agricultural development in the surrounding valleys.

By the end of the 1800s, Lovelock consisted of about a hundred households, a school, two churches, and a few dozen shops and businesses. The central feature of the town was the railroad tracks, which helped facilitate its growth. By 1920, due to the increased mining activity in the area, Lovelock’s population spurted to 2,800. The 1920s and 1930s were hard for the town and the economy moved primarily from mining to agriculture.

Lovelock is close to Coeur Rochester, America’s second largest silver mine which is also the world’s 7th largest silver producer. Lovelock is also home to the Pershing County Courthouse, which is one of the only two round court houses in the country. This attractive building was constructed by architect Fredrick J. Delongchamps who was inspired by the design of the Pantheon of Rome. Adjacent to the courthouse is a park where it is tradition that couples ‘anchor’ their love by adding a lock to the chain and discard the key.

To catch a glimpse of the early mining history of the town, a visit to the Marzen House Museum features old mining equipment, Native American artifacts and other local relics. The Lovelock Depot, the old railroad house, was donated to the residents by Union Pacific and the town’s residents have banded together to renovate it and open it up to the public.

The gorgeous natural surroundings of Lovelock are a pleasure to the eye. The Lovelock Caves allow a visitor to view the 2,000-year-old tule duck decoys and other archeological finds. The expansive desert offers amazing sunrises and sunsets, crystal clear stargazing nights and other romantic natural sceneries. A conveniently located RV park near Lovelock provides accommodation for the adventurous traveler.

A Nevada town would not be complete without at least one local casino. Lovelock features a number of hotels, motels, inns and restaurants; as well as a few unique shops which provide the tourist with the ability to take home a sample of their desert oasis experience.

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