Nevada's Berlin-Ichthyosaur State Park lies in a remote section of Shoshone Mountain Range about an hour and half drive south from U.S. Route 50. The park's mountainous 1150 acres, about three and a half hours east of the state capital, Carson City, are covered in a sparse mix of big sagebrush, Mormon tea, rabbit brush, pinyon pine and Utah juniper. The approach from the valley below offers first glimpses of a mountainside littered with a collection of old buildings among the desert scrub. With elevations over 6800 feet, you may find it odd that this Nevada state park is noted for its fossil exhibit of large a 40 ton sea creature called an Ichthyosaur. Unearthed in 1953, the partial remains of at least 36 adult ichthyosaurs are located in the park.
   One of the added delights here in central Nevada is the park's old ghost town of Berlin. Pictured here are the well preserved blacksmith's shop and the turn-of-the-century home of Mrs. Philips. The Philips house was later home for Lill and Mack Foster, occupying the home until Mac's death in 1954. This interesting collection of 100 year old buildings is listed on the National Register of Historic Places.
   Along with the campground and picnic areas, a network of trails is woven among the desert brush and the array of buildings, rusted equipment, stamp mill and cemetery. Over 40 buildings are identified and marked with descriptive placards. Along with the huge stamp mill, ghost town enthusiasts will find a post office, union hall, infirmary and stagecoach station.
   This historic mining town got its start with numerous mining claims in 1898. During its peak, population grew to 250 people, including miners, wood cutters and a few residents with a medical background. This classic ghost town, with its intriguing wooden homes and mill, look much as they did when abandon in 1911. The fossil shelter is located two miles from the ghost town of Berlin, and takes visitors on a steep climb into Union Canyon to see the 50-foot long ichthyosaur.

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