The economy of Empire focuses on tourism in the nearby Black Rock Desert, and hunting. Gypsum mining was the historic staple of the local economy until 2011. Empire was the classic company town of the United States Gypsum Corporation. All residents of Empire worked for USG, and USG owns the properties and buildings. The Empire gypsum mine was one of the longest continually operating mines in the US, operating for 88 years from 1923 to 2011. Most mines were shut down during World War II as resources were diverted to the war. It was determined that gypsum was an "essential", resource and the mine was never closed during that period. The town had a church, a public pool, a 9-hole golf course, a post office, and Empire Airport for light planes. There was also a day-care facility for the employees of Empire, and a convenience store with a gas station—the only store for more than. Since 1991, Burning Man, a week long countercultural festival with 51,454 participants, has been held nearby. The event is responsible for around 20% of the sales at the few commercial establishments in the area, which include the closest permanent fuel and grocery stops to the event site. The Black Rock Desert is also the site of many other recreational activities, organized and otherwise, throughout the year. After the closure of the town in 2011, the grocery store remained the only source of provisions within 100 miles of the Black Rock Desert.
History
Empire was founded in 1923; in that year miners formed a tent city while mining a claim originally established by the Pacific Portland Cement Company in 1910. U.S. Gypsum had owned the town since 1948, which reached a maximum population of 750 in the early 1960s. Amid a recession, the gypsum plant in Empire closed its doors on January 31, 2011, eliminating 95 jobs. Residents with children were allowed to continue inhabiting their company homes through June 20, 2011, the end of the school year. After that date, Empire effectively became a ghost town. In response, the local ZIP Code, 89405, was also discontinued. Two USG employees remained to maintain the property. In mid-2016, United States Gypsum sold the town and the mine to Empire Mining Co. It has been partially reopened.
Transportation
Primary highway access to Empire is provided by State Route 447. Empire Airport is a dirt airfield suitable only for light planes.
