If you are looking for a truly eccentric town in Nevada, Imlay is the place to go. This nearly abandoned, unincorporated, former railroad town in Pershing County is located 34 miles west of Winnemucca and 40 miles northeast of Lovelock. The 34.5-square-mile Imlay has a post office, general store, trading post, and elementary school; as well as a whopping population of 171. Oh yeah, and Thunder Mountain Monument—a truly eccentric, unique outdoor “art” exhibit in this truly eccentric town.

Imlay is reached via Interstate 80, exit 145.

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Imlay looks like a regular rural American small town. Originally founded in 1869 on the Central Pacific line, today, it is little more than a few houses and businesses on its dirt roads.

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The Humboldt River flows two miles north of Imlay and the Humboldt Mountains provide a spectacular backdrop to this quaint town.

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Imlay’s biggest draw, however, is Thunder Mountain Monument. This five-acre park is located on Star Peak Road.

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Thunder Mountain Monument was built to honor Native American culture.

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The late Frank Van Zant, a Muscogee (Creek) Indian who went by the name Chief Rolling Thunder moved to Nevada in 1969 after serving in World War II and spending 20 years as a California police officer. During the 1970s, Thunder Mountain attracted numerous spiritually minded individuals who helped with maintaining the shrine and its grounds.

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What started as a one-room trailer exploded into the massive and unique structures, most of which still stand today. He built a house, hostel, playground, several sculptures, and other out buildings out of found items and scrap metal. After Van Zant passed away in 1989, his son Dan inherited his father’s legacy.

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After much of his father’s work was destroyed in a series of arson fires in 1983, Dan has worked to fix up his father’s monument with help from donations. Although he protects and manages the site, visitors are welcome for self-guided tours.

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Several concrete-and-chicken-wire sculptures pay homage to Native Americans. For more information about this incredible monument, check out this piece.

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Thunder Mountain Monument is what gives Imlay its eccentric designation. Have you been to this quaint, small, eccentric town? Please share your experiences below.

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