Situated Between Las Vegas And Laughlin Is A Charming Mining Town With An Unexpected Hollywood History

Quietly waiting along U.S. Route 95 south of Las Vegas and toward the less expensive and more relaxed alternative of Laughlin, Nevada, sits a small, historic town seemingly frozen in time. Searchlight, Nevada, was once a thriving mining town, responsible for an influx of gold miners in the early 20^th century. It's also the hometown of an eight-time Academy Award winner who dressed the stars and eventually inspired an animated Disney character.

Searchlight was established in 1898, and there's much speculation on how the town got its name. Many, including Searchlight native the late Senator Harry Reid, believe the name came from the town's founder, George Frederick Colton. It's said Colton once said in frustration that miners needed a searchlight to find the elusive gold ore buried beneath it. Following the discovery of gold in 1897 by Colton, the mining boom took off in 1902, and Searchlight became the largest town in the area with 44 working mines. 

As with most gold mining towns, residents left when the mines stopped producing. However, one of those miners raised his daughter here. Edith Head started life modestly but soon became one of the best-known costume designers in Hollywood. She won eight Academy Awards and worked with stars like Lana Turner, Cary Grant, and Elizabeth Taylor. Her unique look and personality were the inspiration behind the animated Edna Mode in the Disney hit "The Incredibles."

It's easy to drive past Searchlight, especially if your destination is the glitzy shows and casinos of Las Vegas, the water sports in Laughlin, or the otherworldly red rock landmarks of Arizona. There are, after all, less than 500 residents here. But a stop at the Searchlight Museum can offer a glimpse of a historic town that celebrates its past, its mining, and its acclaimed celebrities.

Reid and Head are the most well-known celebrities to have been raised here. But a notable pilot also has a place of honor in the museum. John Macready spent time here in his youth and is the only three-time winner of the Mackay Trophy, which recognizes stellar feats in flight. He was also one of the first pilots to complete a non-stop transcontinental flight in 1923.

More fascinating history is available in the Searchlight Museum, which is housed within the Searchlight Community Center. Entry into the museum is free Mondays to Thursdays each week from 8:30 a.m. to 2 p.m., and on Saturdays by appointment.

While the town of Searchlight is small, the area in which it resides is expansive, with plenty of attractions to keep your road trip interesting. Just 8 miles to the west of Searchlight is Walking Box Ranch, the former home of 1930s Hollywood stars Rex Bell and Clara Bow. The two retired there to a life of ranching, and today their former home is preserved and listed on the National Registry of Historic Places.

The Colorado River Basin in Clark County also offers visitors access to water sports. Nelson, Nevada, is just 35 miles from Searchlight. There, a road leads past the Nelson Ghost Town to the beaches of the Colorado River. Sunbathers, swimmers, and even cliff-jumpers are often spotted here.

While Searchlight is not often a destination, it's certainly worth a stop as you explore Nevada. There are only two motels in Searchlight, but larger cities are only an hour or two away. It's a small town that certainly deserves a place on Nevada's most beautiful small towns which provide tranquil surroundings.