Still digging that “hope & change” are you?
Empire, Nevada is gone. It simply no longer exists.
The little mining town located about 100 miles North of Reno has been totally wiped out by the recession. When Empire’s last remaining factory, the U.S. Gypsum Sheetrock plant, closed on January 31, the fat lady sang.
Empire was founded in 1923, but now, even the town’s ZIP code (89405) won’t exist.
January 31, 2011 was the final work day for 95 of the 99 USG employees at the mine and plant. Four workers remain, but they’ll be reduced to two by month’s end.
U.S. Gypsum has owned the town since 1948, renting apartments for $125, and two-bedroom houses for $250, but when the recession forced the company to shut down the plant, the town died along with it.
Empire was the last company town left in the United States.
After the plant shut down operations, families were permitted to remain in the residences free of charge for up to five months in order to finish out the school year.
With the loss of Empire, the nearby Gerlach-Empire school will be reduced to just 12 students, from 73.
Another sad victim of the depression recession.
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