Tag: Nevada

Nevada, often referred to as the “Silver State,” is located in the western United States. Renowned for its vast deserts and striking mountain ranges, the state boasts a diverse landscape that includes the arid Mojave Desert in the south and the forested Sierra Nevada mountains in the west. The state is famously home to Las Vegas, a vibrant city known for its bustling casinos, entertainment venues, and nightlife. Beyond the glitz of Las Vegas, Nevada offers rich history in its ghost towns, a legacy of the 19th-century mining boom. The state also features significant natural attractions, such as Lake Tahoe and Great Basin National Park, offering a wide range of outdoor activities. Nevada’s economy is driven by tourism, mining, and, increasingly, technology, making it a dynamic state with a blend of natural beauty and modern attractions.

Nevada’s Birthplace – Nevada State Historic Marker 12

Posted on September 7, 2022 by Destination4x4

Founded in 1851, Carson City is Nevada’s Birthplace the state capitol of Nevada and the subject of Nevada State Historic Marker number 12. Carson City is a wonderful little city to visit with a lot of history to explore. The city features a very high density of Nevada State Historic Markers and is a must do if you are trying to visit the complete list.

Nevada's Birthplace Nevada State Historic Marker 12, Carson City, NV — King Street, General View, 1880, Carson City, Carson City, NV

Nevada’s Birthplace – Nevada State Historic Marker 12 Text

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. These roadside markers bring attention to the places, people, and events that make up Nevada’s heritage. They are as diverse as the counties they are located within and range from the typical mining boom and bust town to the largest and most accessible petroglyph sites in Northern Nevada Budget cuts to the program caused the program to become dormant in 2009. Many of the markers are lost or damaged.

Carson Valley is the Birthplace of Nevada. By 1851, people settled at a place they called Mormon Station, renamed Genoa in 1856. With the early establishment of a post office and local government, the community can lay claim to the title of “Nevada’s first town.”

Thousands of emigrants moved over the old road skirting the west bank of the Carson River as they prepared to cross the Sierra, feeding their livestock on grass cut along the river. At Genoa; at Mottsville, settled in 1852; and at Sheridan, settled by Moses Job about ’54; emigrants stopped to enjoy produce of the region’s first gardens. Pony Express riders used this route in 1860, switching a year later to the shorter Daggett Trail, now Kingsbury Grade.

NEVADA CENTENNIAL MARKER No. 12
STATE HISTORIC PRESERVATION OFFICE

Nevada State Historic Marker 12 Summary

Name	Nevada’s Birthplace
Location	Douglas County, Nevada
Latitude, Longitude	39.0038, -119.7604
Nevada State Historic Marker	12

Nevada State Historic Marker 12 Trail Map

References

Nevada State Office of Historic Preservation

Upper Lake Campground

Posted on August 27, 2022 by Destination4x4

The Upper Lake Campground is a free camp ground which features lakeside camping along the shore of Upper Lake Pahranagat, in Lincoln County, Nevada.

Upper Lake Campground, Pahranagat Valley in Lincoln County, Nevada

The Pahranagat National Wildlife Refuge is managed as a sanctuary where present and future generations of people can discover a connection to the rhythms of life. In spring, indigo bush and beavertail cactus bloom at the edges of verdant meadows and wetlands, fed by brimming lakes. The vital, spring-fed waters of this Mojave Desert oasis attract thousands of migratory birds each year. Pahranagat NWR’s seasonal marsh, wet meadows, and alkali flats provide high quality resting and foraging habitat for wintering and migrating waterfowl, shorebirds, and other waterbirds along the Pacific Flyway. Riparian gallery forests of willow, cottonwood, and associated plant communities support a flourishing population of the endangered southwestern willow flycatcher as well as a rich diversity of migratory and resident songbirds, colonial nesting species, and birds of prey. Coveys of Gambel’s quail emerge at dusk along with abundant cottontails and jackrabbits as nighthawks, coyotes, and owls begin to hunt. Each fall brings returning waterfowl and waterfowl hunters, while mountain lions follow mule deer down into the valley.

Campground Trail Map

The Upper Lake Campground is situated along the easter shore of Upper Lake Pahranagat between the lake Nevada Highway 93.

Campground Summary

Name	Upper Lake Campground
Location	Paharagat Valley, Lincoln County, Nevada
Latitude, Longitude	37.3018, -115.1231
Number of Sites	15
Cost	Free

References

Pahranagat Valley

Posted on August 27, 2022 by Destination4x4

The beautiful Pahranagat Valley is located in Lincoln County, Nevada and Nevada State Historic Marker number 38. Pahranagat Valley, nestled in the vast expanse of Nevada, offers a serene retreat from the bustling cities and a glimpse into the raw beauty of nature.

The wetlands of Pahranagat Valley is Nevada State Historic Marker number 38.

Pahranagat Valley is situated in southeastern Nevada, approximately 90 miles north of Las Vegas. It spans approximately 40 miles in length and is characterized by a picturesque landscape of rolling hills, lush meadows, and expansive desert plains. The valley is flanked by the towering peaks of the Sheep Range to the east and the imposing Pahranagat Range to the west, creating a dramatic backdrop against the azure sky.

The centerpiece of the valley is the Pahranagat National Wildlife Refuge, a haven for migratory birds and other wildlife. The refuge encompasses several natural lakes, including Upper Pahranagat Lake, Middle Pahranagat Lake, and Lower Pahranagat Lake, which serve as vital habitats for waterfowl, shorebirds, and various aquatic species.

The valley is a haven for birdwatchers, with over 260 species of birds recorded within the refuge. Migratory waterfowl such as ducks, geese, and swans flock to the lakes during the winter months, while songbirds and raptors are a common sight year-round. Visitors may also encounter mammals such as mule deer, coyotes, bobcats, and desert bighorn sheep, which roam the rugged terrain.

The regeon holds cultural significance for indigenous communities, including the Southern Paiute people, who have inhabited the region for centuries. The valley provided sustenance in the form of wildlife, plants, and water sources, shaping traditional lifeways and spiritual practices. Today, the Paiute Tribe continues to maintain a connection to the land, participating in conservation efforts and sharing their cultural heritage with visitors.

State Historic Marker Text

Pahranagat Valley is named after a local Shoshone Native American Tribe. Three local springs fill the valley’s lakes, which farmers have used for irrigation since the mid-nineteenth century.

In the late 1860s, outlaws pastured hundreds of head of stolen cattle in the valley meadows.

In 1865, ore was discovered in the area. The following year, a stamp mill was established at Hiko, twenty miles to the north to crush the ore. Hiko became the center of activity for the valley and the county seat between 1866 and 1871, when local mining declined and Pioche claimed the county seat.

The valley received international notoriety in 1867 when Dan De Quille of the Territorial Enterprise published an article titled “The Rolling Stones of Pahranagat,” about magnetic traveling stones. De Quille was notorious for publishing comedy and satire, sometimes mistaken by his readership for truth. In this case, De Quille described these round stones as having a magical quality that, when scattered on the floor, would immediately began travelling toward a common center. De Quille published similar articles on the stones in 1876, 1879, and 1892.

The town of Alamo before you, established in 1900, is the valley’s largest present-day settlement. Watered by Pahranagat Creek, the area includes several ranches and the Pahranagat Valley National Wildlife Refuge.

STATE HISTORICAL MARKER NO. 38
STATE HISTORIC PRESERVATION OFFICE
LINCOLN COUNTY AREA DEVELOPMENT COMMITTEE

Nevada State Historic Marker Summary

Name	Pahranagat Valley
Location	Lincoln County, Nevada
Latitude, Longitude	37.3484, -115.1502
Nevada State Historic Marker	38

Nevada State Historic Marker Map

References

Nevada State Historic Preservation Office

Powell of the Colorado Nevada State Historic Marker 37

Posted on July 15, 2022 by Destination4x4

Powell of the Colorado Nevada State Historic Marker 37 is a marker commemorating the 1869 exploration of the Grand Canyon by Major John Wesley Powell. The historic landmark is located overlooking Lake Mead, Nevada.

Powell of the Colorado Nevada State Historic Marker 37- The 1871 Powell Expedition preparing to depart Green River. Photo NPS — The 1871 Powell Expedition preparing to depart Green River. Photo NPS

After 1867, Powell led a series of expeditions into the Rocky Mountain, Green River and Colorado rivers. In 1869, he set out to explore the Colorado River and the Grand Canyon as part of several trips. Along with ten men and equipped with four boats and food for 10 months, Powell set out from Green River, Wyoming, on May 24. Passing through dangerous rapids, the group passed down the Green River to its confluence with the Colorado River (then also known as the Grand River upriver from the junction), near present-day Moab, Utah, and completed the journey on August 30, 1869.

Powell retraced part of the 1869 route in 1871–72 with another expedition that traveled to the Colorado River from Green River, Wyoming to Kanab Creek in the Grand Canyon. Powell used three photographers on this expedition; Elias Olcott Beaman, James Fennemore, and John K. Hillers, who documented the journey.

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

On August 30, 1869, Major John Wesley Powell landed at the mouth of the Virgin River, about 12 miles south of here, thus ending the first boat expedition through the Grand Canyon of the Colorado River.

The expedition left Green River City, Wyoming Territory, on May 24, 1869. For three months Powell and his men endured danger and hunger to explore, survey and study the geology of the canyons along the Green and Colorado Rivers.

Exhausted and near starvation, the Powell party was warmly greeted and fed by the hardy Mormon pioneers of St. Thomas, a small farm settlement about 11 miles north of here.

The original sites of St. Thomas and the junction of the Virgin and Colorado Rivers are now beneath the waters of Lake Mead.

This, and later Powell surveys, stimulated great interest in the water conservation problems of the Southwest.

Marker Summary

Nevada State Historic Marker	37
Name	Powell on the Colorado
Location	Lake Mead National Recreation Area, Nevada
Latitude, Longitude	36.3072, -114.4201

References

USGS

Tonopah Nevada

Posted on July 14, 2022 by Destination4x4

Tonopah is a ghost town located in Nye County, Nevada. Tonopah is also designated Nevada State History Marker number fifteen. The rock marker is locate just off the highway in a park.

Photograph of a panoramic view of the Tonopah Mining Park (now a historic site) and Mount Butler in the distance, Tonopah, Nevada, ca.1904. - - Pierce, C.C. (Charles C.), 1861-1946 — Photograph of a panoramic view of the Tonopah Mining Park (now a historic site) and Mount Butler in the distance, Tonopah, Nevada, ca.1904. – – Pierce, C.C. (Charles C.), 1861-1946

Tonopah, located in Nye County, Nevada, has a fascinating and rich history that traces back to the late 19th century. The town’s beginnings can be pinpointed to the year 1900 when prospector Jim Butler discovered silver-laden ore while in pursuit of his runaway burro. This significant find ignited a mining rush, which ultimately led to the establishment of Tonopah and the creation of numerous mines in the surrounding area. As a result, Tonopah rapidly emerged as one of the most crucial silver mining towns in Nevada, earning the title “Queen of the Silver Camps.”

In 1901, the Tonopah Mining Company was founded, which further propelled the growth of the town and drew in miners, entrepreneurs, and families eager to seek their fortunes. The discovery of gold in the nearby Mizpah Mine in 1904 only contributed to the town’s wealth and success.

By the early 20th century, Tonopah featured a lively downtown area filled with various businesses, hotels, saloons, and residences. The town transformed into a bustling center of activity, with its mines yielding millions of dollars in precious metals.

Tonopah’s importance went beyond its economic contributions. It acted as a crucial stop along the railroad, linking the mining operations in the region to markets nationwide. Moreover, Tonopah played a notable role in Nevada’s history as the location of the state’s first-ever aerial combat mission during World War II, when a Japanese balloon bomb detonated prematurely near the town in 1945.

Nevada State Historic Marker 15

Jim Butler, District Attorney of Nye County, is credited with the turn-of-century discovery, which ended a twenty-year slump in Nevada’s economy. American Indians originally used the name Tonopah for a small spring in the nearby San Antonio Mountains, long before Butler camped in this area in May 1900. Tonopah became the richest silver producer in the nation and replaced Belmont as the Nye County county seat in 1905. The mines spawned a railroad, several huge mills, and a bustling population of approximately 10,000.

The mines faltered in the 1920s, but Tonopah achieved long-lasting fame because of the prominent financial and political leaders it produced. Many camps and communities followed in the wake of Tonopah’s boom, most of which have become ghost towns.

NEVADA CENTENNIAL MARKER No. 15

STATE HISTORIC PRESERVATION OFFICE

Tonopah Marker Summary

Nevada State Histori Marker	15
Name	Tonopah
Location	Nye County, Nevada
Latitude, Longitude	38.0670, -117.2291

The beautiful lobby of the world famous Mizpah Hotel in Tonopah, Nevada

Mizpah Hotel, Tonopah Nevada. Photo by James L Rathbun — The beautiful lobby of the world famous Mizpah Hotel in Tonopah, Nevada

Articles Related to Tonopah

John S Cook overseeing bars of gold bullion. Photo Goldfield Historical Society

References

Nevada SHPO

Tag: Nevada

Nevada’s Birthplace – Nevada State Historic Marker 12

Nevada’s Birthplace – Nevada State Historic Marker 12 Text

Nevada State Historic Marker 12 Summary

Nevada State Historic Marker 12 Trail Map

References

Upper Lake Campground

Campground Trail Map

Campground Summary

References

Pahranagat Valley

State Historic Marker Text

Nevada State Historic Marker Summary

Nevada State Historic Marker Map

References

Powell of the Colorado Nevada State Historic Marker 37

Nevada State Historic Marker Text

Marker Summary

References

Tonopah Nevada

Nevada State Historic Marker 15

Tonopah Marker Summary

Articles Related to Tonopah

John S Cook

Las Vegas and Tonopah Railroad

Tonopah and Tidewater Railroad

References

Nevada’s Birthplace – Nevada State Historic Marker 12 Text

Nevada State Historic Marker 12 Summary

Nevada State Historic Marker 12 Trail Map

References

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State Historic Marker Text

Nevada State Historic Marker Summary

Nevada State Historic Marker Map

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Nevada State Historic Marker Text

Marker Summary

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Nevada State Historic Marker 15

Tonopah Marker Summary

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