Big Sandy Valley was probably first explored by early Spanish explorers, including Espejo in 1582 and Farfan in 1589, and was later explored by Lt. Amiel W. Whipple in 1854. In its early days it was an important agriculture, mining, milling, and smelting area. The McCrackin Mine, discovered by Jackson McCrackin and H. A. "Chloride Jack" Owen in 1874, lies 18 miles south. The Signal Mine was 12 miles south. Stamp mills were at Greenwood, 8 miles southwest, and at Virginia City, 9 miles southwest. Cofer Hot Springs is 3 miles east.