The Silver Reef Museum is one of the Old West?s authentic ghost towns. It is among the few ghost towns considered to be ?alive? with a staff of volunteers and concerned business that oversee the protection and preservation of this mining town.

The Silver City Reef became famous because of a certain incident in its past. John Kemple was delivering a herd of horses coming from Montana. Spending the winter of 1866 in Harrisburg, he noticed a streak shining in the back of the fireplace. After inspecting it, he discovered that it was silver. He was told that the stone came from an outcrop about 300 yards off the back of the house.

Kemple returned to the area in 1871 and he immediately filed 6 claims on the silver ridge. It was only in 1875 when this discovery circulated the area.

Today, the visitors can tour the mining site to visit certain historical sites and pieces like the old mill locations, cemeteries, and many more.