Bothwick Nevada History

 Bothwick Nevada History and Photos


BOTHWICK -
The Bothwick area is located in T19N R62E NW1/4 NE1/4 Section 31. Bothwick is said to have been an early toll road to and from areas in Egan Basin and Butte Valley. Botha Creek runs towards Butte Valley. The area was used for ranching and an infamous murder took place here.

Around 1871, when Hunter sprang up about 30 miles north of Ely, NV, it depended on supplies from the Hilp Brothers of Mineral City. The shortest route between the two settlements was via Botha Creek into the Steptoe Valley through Hercules Gap. Bothwick was said to be named for William Botha who built the toll road, stock corrals and a dugout on Botha Creek. William Botha may have been killed by Indians and buried near his dugout.

During World War I and the 1920's, thirteen families moved into the area and changed the name of Botha Creek to Bothwick. These early residents were the Piscovich, Cogan, Carter, Dragosavic, Smith, Sly, Phillips, Miller, Kenyon, McManus, M. T. Collins, Guy Tidball, and Chuck Kogan families. Several bachelors like "Scotty" moved into the area to produce moonshine. Frank Ludwig, Bill Dyer, Chris Peterson, and Pat Toner lived here. Among the first to take up land when the Homestead Act passed was the Bill Bradley family. Mrs. Bradley was midwife for those who lived in the area.

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