Concrete ruins are the remnants of the America Flats or United Comstock Merger Mill in Silver city, Nevada. It was the largest mill in an American city which was a mining town in the 1900s. It was abandoned years later after mineral ores were depleted.

Rise of American Flats

After the gold rush that brought many from all around the world to Nevada to exploit its riches, a new city Virginia City was established. Later in the years, all the quality ores were depleted causing most of the mines to close down giving rise to a new mill, the united Comstock merger mill. Constructed in 1922, American Flats was a brainchild of two engineers Roy Hardy and Alex Wise who came up with a technology of using cyanide to extract gold and silver. The idea was funded by a local rancher and many other investors who saw potential in it. The mill, which occupied over 29 acres, closed down in 1926 only four years after it was opened.

Fall of the American Flats

American flats closed in 1926 after gold and silver prices dropped drastically making mining and milling extremely expensive. On top of it, organizers at the time of construction overestimated both the prices of the ores and the mining process. This later came to haunt them as the ores proved to be a daunting task to process due to their sticky nature. Owners of the mill finally saw no profit in the building and closed it in 1926. All valuables and machinery were detached and sold by the owners leaving metal and concrete ruins. The metal structures were also removed during World War leaving concrete ruins standing in despair.

Hazards of the American flats

The remaining ruins became a safety hazard to unexpecting teenagers and other visitors who trespassed on the property. Many got serious injuries from falling off the structures. Remains of cyanide in the area posed a threat as it is toxic when it is inhaled. The Bureau of Land Management fenced the property to keep away trespassers but this never worked.

What is the current condition of the American Flats? 

After years of struggle to keep away trespassers, the bureau of land management decided to demolish the structures to put an end to the fatalities that came with it. American Flats were demolished in 2014 after they were deemed dangerous to the public.

What remains of the American Flats are concrete ruins that cover an extensive area. Though there isn't much to see or enjoy at the property, it is open to the public to visit and tour the place where the famous United Comstock Merger Mill stood for nearly a century.