Old Lander County Courthouse, Austin, Nevada

Austin had been the county seat of Lander County ever since 1863, before Nevada was even a state. Battle Mountain, about 50 miles north, became the county seat in 1979, though. It's another small community, but it's bigger than Austin. It's also on the transcontinental railroad and I-80, so its economy is more diversified than just mining.

In the 19th century towns would routinely vie for the county seat as their fortunes (and populations) waxed and waned. For a county seat to shift as late as 1979 is a blast from the past. Perhaps rural Nevada is just a bit behind the times... ;)

The street in the foreground is US 50/The Lincoln Highway.