In 1868, Hamilton, NV had a population of 600. By its peak the following summer, the population was estimated at 12,000, with nearly 200 mining companies operating in the area. There were almost 100 saloons, several breweries, 60 general stores, and numerous other businesses, including theaters, dance halls, skating rinks, and a Miners' Union Hall. However, the local ore deposits proved shallow, and the population fell to 3915 by 1870.
On 27 Jun 1873, a large fire spread throughout the business district and caused an estimated $600,000 (equal to $13.3 million in 2021) in damage. Most businesses that burnt down were abandoned, and the town's population shrunk to 500. By1924, the highway bypassed the town, the post office closed in 1931, and Hamilton is now a ghost town.