Brushed metal plaque № 48838

Schellbourne. Schellbourne was a mail station and town, located approximately four miles east of this marker in Stage Canyon, nestled in the Schell Creek mountain range.  The Pony Express established a mail station and corral there in 1860, providing mail service to the region until 1861, when the Overland Stage company took over the route.

  A small military post known as Fort Schellbourne joined the station until 1862, protecting the stage line during the conflicts between whites and the Newe (Goshute and Western Shoshone) Indians.Prospectors discovered silver ore in the mountains immediately to the east of Schellbourne in the early 1870s, and created the Aurum Mining District in 1871.

  An active mining camp developed with a population of over 500 people.  By 1885, the ore had been mostly depleted, with other mining towns like Cherry Creek drawing residents away.  The district and adjacent valley were acquired by Uncle Billy” and Eliza Burke as a ranch and hotel.  Schellbourne has subsequently operated as the headquarters for various ranches since that time.