Imlay
Imlay is a small unincorporated community and census-designated place (CDP) in northeastern Pershing County, Nevada, located along Interstate 80 and the Union Pacific Railroad. As of the 2020 Census, Imlay had a population of approximately 170 people.[1]
Imlay began in the early 20th century as a railroad stop and agricultural outpost. Today, it is best known as the site of the **Thunder Mountain Monument**, a folk art installation and Nevada roadside curiosity built in the 1960s and 70s. The town serves as a quiet rest point for travelers heading across the northern Nevada desert.[2]
Quick Facts
- **Status:** Unincorporated CDP
- **County:** Pershing County
- **Population:** ~170
- **ZIP Code:** 89418
- **Elevation:** ~4,140 ft
- **Access:** I-80, Union Pacific rail line
Local Economy
Imlay’s small-scale economy is based on:
- **Travel and roadside services**
- **Tourism** – Thunder Mountain Monument
- **Agriculture and ranching in the surrounding valley**
- **Retirees and rural living**
Local Features
- **Thunder Mountain Monument** – roadside folk art and history site
- Imlay General Store and post office
- Historic rail corridor and desert vistas
- Proximity to Rye Patch Reservoir and backcountry recreation
Education and Services
Imlay is part of the Pershing County School District; students typically attend school in Lovelock. Public services are limited, with most utilities and infrastructure managed at the county level.
Related Pages
References
- ↑ U.S. Census Bureau. QuickFacts: Imlay CDP, Nevada. Retrieved May 8, 2025, from https://www.census.gov/quickfacts/imlaycdpnevada
- ↑ Nevada Magazine. Thunder Mountain: One Man’s Monument to Vision and Survival. Retrieved May 8, 2025, from https://nevadamagazine.com