The Berlin-Ichthyosaur State Park in Nevada, United States, is two attractions in one.
First, there are ichthyosaur fossils, and second, it preserves a turn-of-the-20th century mining town called Berlin.
Ichthyosaurs became extinct in the Late Cretaceous period for unknown reasons.
Tour guides are here and willing to give valuable information.
Ichthyosaur fossils were discovered in Nevada in 1928.
Several specimens were left where they were found and can be viewed by the public.
About 10-minutes drive away from these specimens is the ghost town of Berlin.
It was established in 1897 when substantial gold veins were discovered nearby.
Unfortunately, the town never prospered to the same extent as other boom towns in the area.
It produced less than $1 million worth of gold and silver during its short lifetime of fourteen years.
The town was abandoned shortly afterwards.
The town was acquired by the state of Nevada as part of BerlinIchthyosaur State Park in 1970.
Photo credit:Alisha Vargas/Flickr
Photo credit:Don Barrett/Flickr
