There
are many different versions of who built the first rooms and when the rooms
were excavated, but the most plausible story seems to be that the first rooms
were dug by Irish miners in the mid-to-late 1800s; hence, the name “Dublin
Wash” or “Dublin City.”
The
rooms are reported to be warm in the winter and cool in the summer, which is
nice for year-round habitation. Over the
years the rooms were enlarged and many rooms were interconnected to accommodate
growing families. In later years, some dwelling units were equipped with luxury
items like stoves, stove vent pipes (still in existence), and ice boxes.
However, when the mines played out, the miners deserted the area and the rooms
were abandoned. The local residents report that after World War II the rooms
were occupied by a less desirable crowd, but they too abandoned the rooms after a
few years and left the area. The rooms are now vacant and it is a fun place to visit.
Since
most of the washes surrounding Shoshone have similar soil types, over the years
the underground room concept became popular and today vacated rooms can be
found in numerous washes in the area. The other well-known area for rooms is located
on the north side of California State Highway 178, adjacent to the east side of
the Amargosa River. This area is called “Castles in the Clay," and one set of
rooms were reportedly developed by Chief Tecopa; however, some local residents
discount the story and think the rooms were just developed by other miners. The
day we visited “Castles in the Clay,” someone had cut down the large trees that
were in front of the “Chief Tecopa” rooms (historic photos show large trees by the entrance) and the door to the rooms was locked.
You can't miss this set of rooms because they are very close to the highway and the only set of rooms that have a side window.
Also
located at the mouth of Dublin Wash is the Shoshone Cemetery. This is an
interesting historic cemetery with many unnamed grave sites marked only with old
wooden crosses or just piles of rocks. Although some grave sites have been fenced,
this is one place where the grass is definitely not greener on the other side
of the fence! Of course, there is no grass on either side of the fence and
there is very little vegetation of any type around the cemetery. May the
residents rest in peace!
Dublin Wash/"Dublin City"
Dublin Wash/"Dublin City"
"Castles in the Clay"/"Chief Tecopa Rooms"
Shoshone Cemetery
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