Oriental (later renamed Old Camp) came about when gold was discovered here in 1864. A six-foot arrastra crushed ore for a time, but it was inadequate and operations soon ceased. Rich ore veins were discovered in the Oriental Mine in 1871 and a townsite was platted out. Several stone buildings were erected. Some of the richest gold ore in Nevada came from this mine, but it's remoteness and lack of water brought about its demise. In 1881, the camp was abandoned after gold was discovered at the Stateline Mine six miles away.