"Valmy ... best known for the "Springsteen Gas Station" ... Named so because "The Boss" shot an album cover at the famous gas station just on the other side of the interstate. Of all places, I'm wondering why he chose this particular outpost for the project. Sudden inspiration perhaps?" -- September 2007

At I-80 Valmy Rest Area, 14.8 miles west of Battle Mountain

Original Date Visited: 9/22/07
Signed: No

Notes: In recent years, the Valmy Rest Area has been closed intermittently throughout the year ever since mid-2020. Today, if you visit the rest area, don't be surprised if you find the entrance road into the area "CLOSED" with a gate spanning the road. Like two other rest areas I've investigated for this website, colleages at NDOT have confirmed that a series of rest areas throughout the state have remained closed since Covid due to state funding. These are usually the most rural rest areas, ironic considering that the rural stops are the most important in my opinion. As for Valmy, well, this makes sense considering Battle Mountain is only twenty minutes away, and this closure throughout the year, naturally helps to boost the local economy of Battle Mountain. This would've made even more sense during the pandemic. The former Ely Rest Area suffered the same fate back in 2014 because Ely was only four miles away from that one.

So, all of the photos you see took place during my original conquering in 2007 long before the intermittent closure of this rest area. Fortunately, NDOT did not remove Marker 167 so it still remains regardless of the rest area being closed or not. In fact, 167 was even updated during the "Nevada 150th Sesquicentennial" celebration, proving that the intermittent closures of the Valmy Rest really aren't a concern. Here's what you do:

* Use Exit 216 ("Valmy") from I-80 and head in the direction of the "Rest Area." If you see the road closed leading into the rest area, simply park at the gate and walk right in. In recent years, NDOT has placed a few porta-potties at the gate in case the road is closed, mainly for trucks and large vehicles.

Street View

Here's what you'll see!

Exact Description:
Overlooking the Old California Emigrant Trail, Valmy was named after the Battle of Valmy in France. Established in 1910 by the Southern Pacific Railroad Company as a section point, Valmy served during the steam era as a water and fuel stop for the railroad.

Treaty Hill to the northwest marks a division point between the Paiute lands to the west and Shoshone lands to the east. For generations the scene of battles over two springs, Treaty Hill marks the site where peace was wrought by compromise, when two chiefs sat down and divided springs and territory between the warring tribes.

The first postoffice here was established as Stonehouse on November 26, 1890. The name was changed to Valmy March 24, 1915.

COVERED IN MY I-80 ROAD TRIP

Next Marker

ARROWHEAD TRAIL (1914-1924)

Related Links & Markers:

- 239 - Stonehouse Valmy (NV Expeditions) Virtual Tour of the California Trail

Have you been to this marker? Tell us all about it here!