Category: Destination4x4

Nevada’s Southern Boundary 1861-1867

Posted on by

Old Boundary (Nevada’s Southern Boundary 1861-1867) is Nevada State Historical Marker number fifty eight located in the Nye County, Nevada. The marker is located about 6 miles north of Beatty along highway 95. Beatty, Nevada was an old mining town and served as ta border town for old Nevada. The boomtown was provided passengers, frieght and mail service by three railroads, Tonopah and Tidewater Road, Las Vegas and Tonopah Railroad and the Bullfrog and Goldfield.

Nevada's Southern Silver Peak Nevada, Esmeralda County. Photo by James L Rathbun
Nevada’s Southern Boundary 1861-1867 Historic Marker is located about 6 miles north of Beatty, Nevada. – Photo by James L Rathbun

In 1867, the Nevada Legislature approved the action of Congress to add that portion of the Territory of Arizona which lay to the south of this line, west of the 114 degree west longitude and the Colorado River, and to the east of the boundary of California. This action, taken on January 18, 1867, gave to the State of Nevada the permanent boundaries as they are today.

Nevada State Historical Markers identify significant places of interest in Nevada’s history. The Nevada State Legislature started the program in 1967 to bring the state’s heritage to the public’s attention with on-site markers. Budget cuts to the program caused the program to become dormant in 2009. Many of the markers are lost of damaged.

Nevada State Historic Marker Text

The 37th degree north latitude is marked at this point as the dividing line between the Territories of Utah and New Mexico under the provisions of the Compromise of 1850 which originally organized the land ceded by Mexico in 1848.

When the Territory of Nevada was carved from western Utah in 1861, this line became the southern boundary of the new territory and continued to serve as such when the Territory and State were enlarged by extensions to the east in 1862 and 1866 respectively.

In 1867, the Nevada Legislature approved the action of Congress to add that portion of the Territory of Arizona which lay to the south of this line, west of the 114 degree west longitude and the Colorado River, and to the east of the boundary of California. This action, taken on January 18, 1867, gave to the State of Nevada the permanent boundaries as they are today.

STATE HISTORICAL MARKER No. 58
STATE HISTORIC PRESERVATION OFFICE

Summary

Nevada State Historic Marker58
NameOld Boundary (Nevada’s Southern Boundary 1861-1867)
LocationNye County
Latitude, Longitude36.9832, -116.7246

References

Kelso Depot

Posted on by

The story of the westward expansion is the story of the railroads.  Beginning in 1862, the Union Pacific Railroad sought expansion opportunities along the western coast of the United States.  To secure a foothold into California the railroads must cross the Mojave Desert and the depot in Kelso was crucial to accomplish this goal.  Located at the junction of Kelbaker Road and the Kelso Cima Road, the Kelso Depot stands in testimony of the technological progress of the nations trains.

Kelso Depot, Mojave CA
Kelso Depot, Mojave CA

August of 1900, Montana Senator William A. Clark invested in a small Los Angeles based railway which would become the San Pedro, Los Angeles & Salt Lake Railroad.  In 1902, in mine owner made a deal to sell half of the stock to the Union Pacific even before the railway was completed.

William A Clark
William A Clark

In 1905, after 235 miles of track are laid, three warehouse men placed their names in a hat and drew out the winner John Kelso, for whom track siding #16 of the Salt Lake route was named.    Later in 1905, Kelso was just one depot along the Salt Lake Route which now stretched from San Pedro, CA to Salt Lake City Utah.  This new route opened southern California to the Union Pacific Railroad.  In 1921, Union Pacific convinced Senator Clark to sell his remaining shares.

Additionally, in 1905 Senator Clark divested himself of some land in southern Nevada along another rail stop.  This auction is considered the birth of Las Vegas, and Clark Country was named for the man.

San Pedro, Los Angeles, and Salt Lake Railroad locomotive #32, early 1900s
San Pedro, Los Angeles, and Salt Lake Railroad locomotive #32, early 1900s

Built in 1921, The Kelso Depot is architecturally styled as a Mission Revival and just one of several depots along the route which were designated as division points and provided facilities for operations and maintenance purposes.   The buildings original design included a telegraph office, conductor’s room, baggage room, staff dormitories, a billiard room, library and locker. The spring water in the nearby Providence mountains allowed the location to service the steam engines.  Additionally, the relatively steep 2% 2000 foot grade necessitated the use of helper engines by the steam locomotives of the day to crest the Kessler Summit.

Other depot locations

  • Lynndyl, Utah
  • Milford, Utah
  • Las Vegas, Nevada
  • Caliente, Nevada
  • Yermo, California
  • San Bernardino, California

Union Pacific continued to operate the depot from 1921 to 1985.  The depot provided much need infrastructure during World War 2, at which point the facility started a long decline in utility.  Diesel engines improved efficiency and duration allowed the Union Pacific railroad to reduce their personnel requirements.  The 1960’s introduced the second generation of more powerful and efficient diesel engines which eliminated the need for the helper engines.  Combined with the cessation of passenger travel in August, 1964 the Kelso depot is destined to languish on the back roads of history.  The Kelso Depot ceased operations as a train depot in 1962.

The Kelso Depot is currently in use as a Visitors Center of the Mojave National Preserve.

Kelso Depot Trail Map

References

Doc Holliday – Death Announcement by the Denver Republican

Posted on by
Photograph of John Henry Holliday taken by photographer D.F. Mitchell in Prescott, Arizona, 1879-80.
Photograph of John Henry Holliday taken by photographer D.F. Mitchell in Prescott, Arizona, 1879-80.

Doc Holliday, born John Henry Holliday, died on November 8, 1887, at the age of 36 in Glenwood Springs, Colorado. A dentist turned gambler and gunslinger, he suffered from tuberculosis for much of his life, which progressively worsened. By 1887, his health had deteriorated significantly, and he sought relief in the mineral springs of Glenwood Springs, hoping the warm waters might ease his condition. However, the disease, combined with his heavy drinking and frail state, led to his death in a sanatorium. Legend has it that his final words, upon looking at his bare feet and realizing he wasn’t dying in a gunfight, were, “This is funny.” He was buried in Linwood Cemetery overlooking Glenwood Springs.

News of Doc Holliday death was reported on November 10, 1887, by the Denver Republican.

Now a Sleeper

Doc Holliday is dead. Few men have known better known to a certain class of sporting people and few men of his character had more friends or stronger champions. He represented a class of men who are fast disappearing the New West. He had the reputation of being a bunco-man, desperado and bad man generally. yet he was a very mild mannered man; was genial and companionable, and had many excellent qualities. In Arizona he was associated with the Wyatt Earp gang. These men were officers of the law, and were opposed to the ’‘rustlers” or cattle thieves. Holliday killed several men during his life in Arizona his body was full of wounds received in bloody encounters. His history was an interesting one. He was sometimes in the right, but quite often in the wrong, probably, in his various escapades.

The Doctor only had one deadly encounter in Colorado, and this was in Leadviile. He was well known in Denver and had lived here a good deal in the past few years. He had strong friends in some old-time detective officers and in certain representatives of the sporting element. He was a rather good looking man and his coolness and courage, his affable ways fund of interesting experiences, won him many admirers. He was a strong friend, a cool and determined enemy and a man of quite strong character. He has been well known to all the States and Territories west of Kentucky, which was his old home. His death took place at Glenwood Springs Tuesday morning.

Denver Republican.

Wide Hollow Campground

Posted on by

Nestled within the stunning Escalante Petrified Forest State Park in southern Utah, Wide Hollow Campground beckons adventurers, families, and nature enthusiasts to an idyllic retreat where ancient geology meets serene waters. Perched at approximately 5,900 feet elevation along the shores of the 130-acre Wide Hollow Reservoir—just a short drive west of the charming town of Escalante off Scenic Byway 12—this campground offers a perfect base for exploring the dramatic landscapes of Grand Staircase-Escalante National Monument. Imagine awakening to the golden hues of sunrise reflecting off the reservoir’s clear blue waters, with the rugged silhouettes of distant canyons and the Kaiparowits Plateau framing your view. The area, part of Utah’s “Swell” region, is a geologic treasure trove shaped by millions of years of erosion, where slot canyons, natural arches, and expansive vistas create a playground for outdoor pursuits. Here, the air is crisp and invigorating, the nights starlit and quiet, and the days filled with the symphony of birdsong from raptors, songbirds, and waterfowl that frequent the shores.

Natural Features and the Surrounding Area

Wide Hollow Campground is enveloped by the park’s signature attractions, blending aquatic serenity with terrestrial marvels. The reservoir itself is a highlight, stocked year-round with rainbow trout, largemouth bass, and bluegill, making it a prime spot for shore fishing or casting from a rented canoe, kayak, or paddleboard—rentals available on-site during warmer months (March to November). Its calm, swimmable waters invite lazy afternoons lounging on the sandy beach, while the adjacent petrified forest showcases nature’s artistry: colorful, mineralized logs in kaleidoscopic shades of red, orange, yellow, and purple, remnants of ancient trees fossilized over 150 million years ago. Easy-access hiking trails, like the 1-mile Petrified Forest Loop, wind through these formations, offering interpretive signs that reveal the area’s rich paleontological history amid blooming wildflowers in spring or golden cottonwoods in fall. Beyond the park, the broader Escalante region unfolds into endless adventures—hike slot canyons, horseback ride through desert washes, or stargaze in one of the darkest skies in the U.S. The elevation provides cooler summers and mild winters, though visitors should prepare for high-desert conditions with plenty of sun and minimal rainfall.

Available Facilities

Designed for comfort without sacrificing the rustic charm of camping, Wide Hollow Campground features modern amenities to enhance your stay. The park offers 29 full-hookup sites across its loops (including the adjacent Lake View Campground), accommodating tents, RVs, and trailers up to 40 feet. Each site includes a shaded shelter, picnic table, fire pit with grate, paved parking, and ample space for privacy—many boast premium reservoir views toward Escalante’s iconic canyons and Powell Point. Electrical hookups range from 20 to 50 amps, with potable water and sewer connections at every site; additional frost-free water spigots are scattered throughout for convenience.

Supporting facilities keep things clean and convenient:

  • Restrooms and Showers: Modern, well-maintained buildings with hot, free showers—spacious and family-friendly, though occasional upkeep notes from visitors highlight their general cleanliness.
  • Group Areas: A dedicated group pavilion and lakeside overflow spots for larger gatherings (up to 8 people per standard site).
  • Water Recreation: Boat ramp for easy launches, plus canoe/kayak/paddleboard rentals.
  • Day-Use Amenities: Picnic areas with shelters, a swimming beach, and an RV dump station (additional fee applies).
  • Essentials: Drinking water fill-ups, firewood sales (harvested locally to prevent invasive species), and a small camp store for basics. Generators are not permitted in the campground to preserve the peaceful ambiance, but quiet hours are strictly enforced.

Reservations are recommended year-round via Utah State Parks’ online system, with fees starting at $16 per night for basic sites (including park entry). Pets are welcome on leashes, and the campground remains open all year, though services like rentals may vary seasonally. Whether you’re toasting marshmallows by the fire ring or embarking on a dawn paddle, Wide Hollow Campground delivers an unforgettable blend of comfort, recreation, and raw natural beauty—your ideal launchpad for Utah’s red-rock wonders.

White House Campground

Posted on by

Nestled in the rugged southwestern expanse of Utah’s Grand Staircase-Escalante National Monument (GSENM), White House Campground offers a serene, primitive escape for adventurers seeking solitude amid one of America’s most remote and geologically stunning landscapes. Established in 1996 and spanning nearly 1.9 million acres, GSENM—often called a “frontier for the 21st century”—protects a vast mosaic of five life zones, from sun-scorched desert lowlands to high-elevation coniferous forests. This unspoiled wilderness, jointly managed by the Bureau of Land Management (BLM), is a living museum of natural and cultural history, where ancient Anasazi and Fremont peoples left rock art, granaries, and occupation sites dating back to AD 950–1100. The monument’s dramatic “staircase” of colorful rock layers—limestones atop sandstones atop shales—has been sculpted over millions of years by wind, water, and time, revealing slot canyons, towering cliffs, badlands, plateaus, hoodoos, arches, and natural bridges. Bordered by Glen Canyon National Recreation Area to the east, Bryce Canyon National Park to the north, and Capitol Reef National Park to the northeast, GSENM invites quiet exploration, scientific discovery, and immersive outdoor pursuits like hiking, backpacking, off-roading, photography, and wildlife viewing. Its biological diversity supports desert bighorn sheep, peregrine falcons, and endemic plants, while paleontological treasures, including dinosaur fossils, underscore its role as a hotspot for geologists and paleontologists.

Perched at the monument’s southern edge, White House Campground embodies this raw beauty in a broad, open valley framed by the Paria River to the north and striking white-grey sandstone buttes to the south. Just two miles south of Highway 89 and the Paria Contact Station (about 43 miles east of Kanab, Utah), it serves as an ideal staging point for journeys into the adjacent Paria Canyon-Vermilion Cliffs Wilderness—a jointly managed area renowned for its narrow slot canyons, petrified wood, archaeological sites, and world-class hikes like the iconic Buckskin Gulch and Wire Pass trails. Here, the air carries the scent of sagebrush and juniper, and sunsets paint the buttes in hues of crimson and gold, offering stargazers unobstructed views of the Milky Way in this International Dark Sky Park. The site’s proximity to Zion National Park (about 80 miles west) and Bryce Canyon (roughly 100 miles north) makes it a perfect hub for multi-park itineraries, while local trails provide day hikes through colorful badlands teeming with desert wildlife, from coyotes to golden eagles.

Available Facilities

White House Campground is designed for low-impact, backcountry-style camping, emphasizing harmony with the desert environment. It’s a first-come, first-served site (no reservations required), open year-round, with a small nightly fee that supports monument maintenance. Facilities are basic to preserve the area’s pristine character:

FacilityDetails
Sites7 car-accessible sites for tents or small RVs (no hookups; suitable for vehicles up to 20 feet); 5 walk-in tent-only sites (short carry-in from parking). All sites include picnic tables, fire rings, and tent pads for comfort.
RestroomsVault toilets (non-flush, cleaned regularly) for basic sanitation.
WaterNo potable water on-site—bring your own or fill up at the nearby Paria Contact Station (seasonal). Practice Leave No Trace principles to protect scarce resources.
Firewood & GrillsFire rings provided; gather dead wood locally or bring your own (no cutting live trees). Propane stoves recommended during fire restrictions.
AccessibilityMostly flat, gravel sites; suitable for most abilities, but walk-in sites require light gear hauling over uneven terrain.
Other AmenitiesTrash receptacles available; pack out all waste. No electricity, showers, or dump stations—embrace the off-grid vibe. Nearby Paria Contact Station offers maps, permits, and info for wilderness entry.

With only 12 sites total, the campground rarely feels crowded, fostering a peaceful retreat even during peak seasons (spring and fall). Arrive early to secure a spot, and note that high-clearance vehicles are advised for the final gravel stretch of Monument Road 751.

Whether you’re a seasoned backpacker plotting a multi-day trek or a family chasing golden-hour photos, White House Campground delivers an authentic taste of GSENM’s timeless allure. Pack your sense of wonder, respect the fragile ecosystem, and let the monument’s ancient whispers guide your adventure. For current conditions or permits, stop by a GSENM visitor center—your journey into this geological masterpiece awaits.

References