Baker
 (6,839')

Small, quaint, beautiful -- three words to describe this tiny town located on the edge of Nevada. Located just 5 miles from Great Basin National Park, Baker has become a popular gateway community for area visitors en route to the park. In this very remote area of the state, Baker is also the major outpost in Snake Valley. Baker offers services and community to nearby Utah residents located in nearby Eskdale, Garrison, Gandy, and Ibapah.

History
Many colorful characters live or have lived in the small town of Baker. The first settlement near Baker's present townsite was in 1875 when Absolom Lehman's younger brother Benjamin S. Lehman and his wife Mary started a ranch here. Absolom Lehman wandered west of the town into the foothllls of the Snake Range where he discovered an intricate, and unique cave system. At the turn of the century, Lehman Caves began attracting visitors all over America, and Lehman himself began charging one dollar per person to view his delicate cave system. Today, Lehman Caves are protected and a proud highlight of the National Park.

Don't let it's tiny size fool you! Today, Baker is a welcome respite from the long drive needed to get here (from any direction!). The town offers services to travelers and visitors to the park, including the Silver Jack Motel, Sinclair gas station, a convenience store/restaurant/lounge, and post office. Ranching is still the primary economy here, and locals are more than willing to tell a few stories of days gone past. On the way to Great Basin, you'll see a number of tongue-in-cheek "fence-art" sculptures along the roads leading to and from Baker. The fence post-mounted artwork is termed "Post-Impression Art" by local residents. The movement began in the mid-1990s when "Doc" Sherman created the "Permanent Wave Society." The new Great Basin Visitor Center in Baker was completed in 2005 and brings even more influence to visitors along with new exhibits that have been installed along the SR 488 en route to the park. The town of Baker was added to the "Great Basin Heritage Area" in 2011.

  • The Silver Jack Motel, the nucleus of Baker, Nevada! (c) Mike Bechtoi
  • Baker, Nevada

    

Status: Unincorporated Town
Population: 363 (2012)
Founded: 1890
Zip Code: 89311

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How to Get Here:
Baker is in eastern White Pine County, 72 miles southeast of Ely, 87 miles west of Delta, Utah and just 5 miles west of the Utah state line.