Lot
871 
Wells, Fargo & Co., From Argenta (Nev.), black on orange printed label (WFCX-L542) with illustrated Train and Steamboat, manuscript "Battle Mountain" lightly written on label, affixed on 3¢ pink (U59) entire with printed Wells Fargo frank to San Francisco Cal., manuscript "Val. $100" at bottom left, couple minor edge tears and label slightly affixed over edge of entire, F.-V.F. and rare. Estimate $750 - 1,000.
THE ONLY RECORDED EXAMPLE OF THIS WELLS FARGO & CO. ARGENTA LABEL.
In October of 1868 the Central Pacific Railroad arrived in the area. A small siding was built to serve the mines, but the main train station for the region was laid out fourteen miles further east, this station was named Argenta by Charlie Crocker, the superintendent of the Central Pacific Railroad. Here a town was laid out and a hotel was built to serve the traveling public.
For a short time Argenta prospered, but as soon as the tracks reached the new railroad town of Elko, closer to the brand new gold rush at White Pine, Argenta faltered and died. No one bid on the lots in the town the railroad had laid out and only two frame buildings were ever built, the hotel and the general store.
Realized: $850