What is the history of Native American settlement in Nevada?
Archaeological evidence indicates that prehistoric Indian settlements existed in Nevada more than 20,000 years ago.
What was the turning point for settlement in Nevada?
Although the advent of the railroad in Nevada did not occur until 1868-1869, necessitating the continuation of early travel and settlement modes, 1859 was the major turning point for the settlement of Nevada, the year that settlement patterns, numbers, infrastructure, and economic opportunities all changed.
Where did the Mormons first settle in Nevada?
This includes the Mormon settlements of the Las Vegas Fort and the Mormon Station (Genoa) in western Nevada. A discussion of early settlement in Nevada must include the arrival of Mormon settlers. After Mexico ceded lands to the U.S. in 1848, the Spanish Trail was no longer used by New Mexican traders.
Who lived in Nevada in the 1800s?
Cave dwellers left picture writings on rocks in southern Nevada, and Basketmakers and Pueblo Indians also flourished there. Explorers of the early 1800s found Mojave, Paiute, Shoshone, and Washoe groups at various locations within Nevada. Missionaries and fur traders were in the vanguard of the exploration of the Nevada area.
What was Nevada's first settlement?
GenoaThe Comstock Lode & Becoming the Silver State Nevada's first permanent settlement was established, set against the foothills of the eastern Sierra Nevada in 1851. Under the direction of Utah governor Brigham Young, Nevada's first non-native settlement was Mormon Station, which later became known as Genoa.
Who were the first settlers in Nevada?
In the 1770s, Franciscan missionary Francisco Garcés, born in Morata del Conde, Aragon, Spain in 1738, was the first European in the area. Nevada was annexed as a part of the Spanish Empire in the northwestern territory of New Spain.
What was Nevada like before it became a state?
Becoming a State Nevada was considered part of Spain and then Mexico up until the Mexican-American War. At the end of the war, in 1848, Nevada became part of the United States as part of the Treaty of Guadalupe Hidalgo. In 1850, Nevada was organized into the Utah Territory and then became its own territory in 1861.
What dominated the economy of the early settlers in Nevada?
In its early decades Nevada's economy was dependent on mining and ranching. The rich Comstock mines reached a maximum annual output of $36 million in silver in 1878.
What are 5 interesting facts about Nevada?
Fast FactsNICKNAME: The Silver State.STATEHOOD: 1864; 36th state.POPULATION (as of July 2015): 2,890,845.CAPITAL: Carson City.BIGGEST CITY: Las Vegas.ABBREVIATION: NV.STATE BIRD: mountain bluebird.STATE FLOWER: sagebrush.
When was Nevada settled?
July 4, 1776Nevada / Date settled
In what ways is Nevada's history unique?
Nevada was the first state to ratify the 15th Amendment to the U.S. Constitution, which gave African-American men the right to vote, on March 1, 1869.
How did Nevada become a desert?
Though Nevada is a desert, it was once entirely submerged hundreds of millions of years ago.
What's Nevada known for?
Nevada is known for its desert landscapes, large casinos, and vibrant nightlife. The Silver State is also home to a variety of natural wonders, including the Valley of Fire State Park, Lake Tahoe, as well as prominent gold and silver mines. Nevada is a state with a rich history and diverse culture.
What are the three events that was the result of settlement in Nevada by the 1840s?
Outline how the Mexican-American War, the movement of the Mormons into the West, and the search for mineral wealth first brought settlers into what is now Nevada. The Mormons created the first permanent settlement in Nevada.
Why was Nevada territory important to the United States during the Civil War?
However, Nevada's main contribution to the war was the Comstock Lode, whose silver totaling $400 million financed the Union war effort to defeat the southern states.
What are some important industries in Nevada?
Aerospace & Defense. ... Health. ... Information Technology. ... Manufacturing & Logistics. ... Mining. ... Natural Resource Technologies. ... Tourism & Gaming.
When did the Spanish come to Nevada?
Spanish explorers approached the area of present-day Nevada in the 1770s, but it wasn't until half a century later that fur traders venturing into the Rocky Mountains publicized the region, attracting explorers such as Jebediah S. Smith, Peter Skene Ogden and Joseph Walker.
Who founded Las Vegas?
J. T. McWilliams laid out his Original Las Vegas Townsite (now Historic West Las Vegas) on what is now the west side of the railroad tracks. Las Vegas was incorporated on June 1, 1911.
What does the Spanish word Nevada mean?
Nevada. Nevada's name comes from the Spanish word meaning "snow clad"--a reference to the snow-covered peaks of the Sierra Nevada. The discovery of the Comstock Lode, a massive deposit of silver, in 1859 brought many fortune seekers.
Was Nevada a part of Mexico?
By its terms, Mexico ceded 55 percent of its territory, including the present-day states California, Nevada, Utah, New Mexico, most of Arizona and Colorado, and parts of Oklahoma, Kansas, and Wyoming.
What were the three phases of exploration in Nevada?
Exploration The exploration of Nevada can be divided into three overlapping but distinct phases. The first phase, "Fur Trappers and Caravaners" (1826-1833), is characterized by small scale forays into Nevada by fur trappers who explored the area for its natural resources, and commercial caravaners traveling through southern Nevada between Santa Fe and Los Angeles. The second phase, "Sponsored Explorations" (1834-1853), saw the arrival of explorers seeking to chart the area for the government, the railroad, and the Mormon Church. The final phase of exploration in Nevada, Emigration (1844-1859), is typified by emigrants crossing the state to reach the temperate climate and gold fields of California, with many of these returning to the western Great Basin region with the discovery of the Comstock Lode in 1859. These activities-fur trapping, exploration, and emigration-overlap somewhat and the initiation of one phase does not necessarily mean the complete cessation of the previous activity. All of the "Exploration" phases eventually led to the early settlement (1851-1859, up until the Comstock discovery) of Nevada. Although the advent of the railroad in Nevada did not occur until 1868-1869, necessitating the continuation of early travel and settlement modes, 1859 was the major turning point for the settlement of Nevada, the year that settlement patterns, numbers, infrastructure, and economic opportunities all changed. Thus, for the purpose of this document, 1859 is the latest date for both exploration and early settlement in Nevada. The earliest European interest in the Great Basin was shown by Spain in the eighteenth century. Rulers of the Spanish Empire, which had expanded north of Mexico City into present-day New Mexico and California, believed it would be advantageous to link California and New Mexico. A direct route between the two northernmost provinces would help consolidate resources and reinforce Spain's presence in western North America, a competing colonial force with British, French, and Russian governments, all racing to capture resources. In 1776, Father Francisco Garces led an expedition from Sonora to the pueblo of Los Angeles in an effort to establish a route from Santa Fe to the colonial capital of Monterey in Alta California. He used Mojave guides and traced portions of the Old Mojave Trail, an ancient long-distance trading route. Father Garces traveled near or inside the southern tip of Nevada. Fathers Francisco Dominguez and Francisco Escalante also led an expedition in 1776 from Santa Fe with the hopes of establishing a route to Monterey. After meandering over much of Utah, avoiding hostile Hopis to the south, they turned back east to Santa Fe at the Sevier River (in present-day Utah). Portions of their route were later incorporated into the Spanish Trail, so named later by American trappers because of its association with the Spanish padres. Fur Trappers and Caravaners, 1826-1833 American fur trappers appeared in the Great Basin in the late 1820s. They were driven into this previously unknown region by economic interests, chiefly American and British, in their desire to gain access to lucrative beaver streams and conversely, to destroy the resource base so competing 1
What was the last phase of Nevada exploration?
The final phase of exploration in Nevada, Emigration (1844-1859), is typified by emigrants crossing the state to reach the temperate climate and gold fields of California, with many of these returning to the western Great Basin region with the discovery of the Comstock Lode in 1859.
What was the transition between exploration and emigration?
The early 1850s highlight the transition between two phases of exploration-official and emigration. The western Great Basin was becoming an increasingly familiar place , and was at the same time being traversed by growing numbers of emigrants on their way west, the majority of traffic surging through Nevada in 1849. Emigration across Nevada began on a small scale with the Bidwell-Bartleson party in 1841. The group left Sapling Grove near Independence, Missouri, with news and few details, that a route would take them somewhere to the west. En route the group encountered Thomas "Broken Hand" Fitzpatrick, who guided them for hundreds of miles. In Nevada, the Bidwell-Bartleson group was the first set of emigrants on the California Trail, including the first woman, Nancy Kelsey, and her daughter. The group's excursion into the Sierra (in winter) lasted two weeks; they probably crossed somewhere near Sonora Pass (See Figure 2). One member of the group, Joseph Chiles, returned to Missouri to encourage friends and others to journey to California. In May 1843, Chiles and a party of 13 struck out for California with J oseph Walker as their guide. They followed Walker's 1834 route along the Humboldt (see Figures 1 and 2), traveling south around the Sierra Nevada via Walker Pass. Chiles made at least six journeys between Missouri and California during the 1842- 1854 period, and one may have followed the later-named Carson River Route of the California Trail prior to 1848 (see Kolvet and Mehls 1999:6). Walker's assistance and Fitzpatrick's association with the Bidwell-Bartleson group demonstrates the intermingling of fur trapping, exploration, and emigration in the little-known Nevada region in the early emigration era. In 1844, Elisha Stevens led an emigrant party from Fort Hall, also following Walker's route along the Humboldt River to its sink. From here, an elderly Paiute named Truckee guided three scouts to the Truckee River near Wadsworth. The party continued along the river across the Truckee Meadows, through the rugged canyon beyond, and on to Donner Lake (not yet named). By hauling their wagons over the Sierra near the vicinity of Donner Pass, the group opened the California Trail that was subsequently traveled by thousands of people and their pack animals. The California Trail had several sections, or "legs," as the emigrants called them. The eastern Nevada section extended from Goose Creek for 65 miles to the head of the Humboldt, offering easy passage and access to a multitude of small streams. The second "leg" followed the Humboldt River to the Sink, a distance of 365 miles, requiring approximately three weeks to travel. Following the Humboldt, emigrants passed through traditional Shoshone and Paiute territory. The third section of the trail extended from the Humboldt Sink to the Truckee River across the Forty Mile Desert, a sandy and waterless 55-mile stretch. The last and westernmost Nevada leg of the Humboldt Route California Trail continued 70 miles up the Truckee River to Donner Lake, demanding a week of toiling up the steep grade across numerous boulder-strewn fords {see Figure 11
What river did Fremont follow?
He followed the Truckee River, which Fremont named the "Salmon Trout River," from the lake, to the Wadsworth area, and continued south to the Carson River (named by Fremont in honor of his friend and guide) and the Carson Sink before turning west to cross the snowy Sierra Nevada near Carson Pass.
What was Ogden's greatest achievement?
However, Ogden's greatest achievement was encountering the Humboldt River in 1828, which later served as the main emigration corridor across Nevada. Headquartered at Fort Nez Perces on the Columbia River, Ogden made three trips to Nevada, in addition to the 1826 excursion.
How far did the Humboldt River run from Goose Creek to the Sink?
The second "leg" followed the Humboldt River to the Sink, a distance of 365 miles, requiring approximately three weeks to travel.
When did the railroad start in Nevada?
Although the advent of the railroad in Nevada did not occur until 1868-1869, necessitating the continuation of early travel and settlement modes, 1859 was the major turning point for the settlement of Nevada, the year that settlement patterns, numbers, infrastructure, and economic opportunities all changed.
What was the first non-native settlement in Nevada?
Under the direction of Utah governor Brigham Young, Nevada’s first non-native settlement was Mormon Station , which later became known as Genoa . With more and more people in the area hoping to strike it rich in and along the way to California, some pioneers tried their luck prospecting in Nevada’s creeks.
When did Nevada settle?
Nevada’s first permanent settlement was established, set against the foothills of the eastern Sierra Nevada in 1851.
What was Nevada known for?
This was certainly the biggest bonanza in Nevada history, earning the state its nickname: the “Silver State.” Soon enough, Nevada’s perfect gold, silver, copper, other precious metals, and valuable minerals were soon discovered all over the state, creating hundreds of boomtowns. The bounty of the Comstock Lode helped the Nevada Territory receive official statehood, just before Abraham Lincoln’s presidential election in 1864. And how’s this for some history? The Nevada State Constitution was transmitted by telegraph making the record books as the longest and most expensive telegram in U.S. history. The State of Nevada became official on October 31, 1864, as one of two states to gain statehood during the Civil War—with Nevada’s immense mineral wealth helping foot an outsized portion of the Union’s bills at a crucial time.
What city was the capital of Nevada?
Fremont and Kit Carson played in paving the way for the region’s eventual settlement, including Nevada’s capital city, Carson City , Las Vegas’ Fremont Street, and many more.
How many explosions were there in Frenchman Flat?
With hundreds of above- and below-ground explosions, 928 tests occurred in and around Frenchman Flat from 1951 to 1992. Now the Nevada National Security Site, this government land is still used to test national-level experiments to protect national security. Reno Courthouse.
When did the Donner Party start their trek?
Soon enough, droves of pioneers began making their way west to start new lives in the places these famous explorers surveyed, following Westward Expansion trails like the California Trail, including the famous Donner Party, who would make their ill-fated trek through Nevada in 1846.
Where were the Indian reservations in Nevada?
By the early 1900s, federal officials had designated dozens of Indian reservations throughout Nevada, including Duck Valley, Pyramid Lake, and Walker River to name a few. During that same time frame the federal government also created hundreds of boarding schools throughout the United States where American Indian children were forcefully relocated to be assimilated into mainstream American culture. One of these schools—the Stewart Indian School’s historic grounds —still stands in Carson City today, and represented 200 tribal nations from all over the west during the 90 years it was open. Its challenging historical trajectory and meaning is now reclaimed, serving has headquarters of the Nevada Indian Commission, housing a beautifully-done museum and cultural center.
What was Nevada's culture like before the Great Silver Strikes?
Nevada's harsh but rich environment shaped its history and culture. Before 1858 small Mormon settlements along the Utah border sustained their communities through faith, but the secular western section stumbled along until the great silver strikes beginning in 1858 created boom towns and fabulous fortunes. After the beginning of the 20th century, profits declined while Progressive reformers sought to curb rampaging capitalism and its attendant miseries. They imagined a civilized Nevada of universities, lofty idealism, and social reform. But an economic bust during the 1910s and disillusionment from failures at social reform and a population decline of nearly one-fourth meant that by 1920 Nevada had degenerated into a "beautiful desert of buried hopes.” The boom returned when big time gambling arrived in 1931, and with good transportation (especially to California metropolitan areas), the nation's easiest divorce laws, and a speculative get-rich-quick spirit, Nevada had a boom-and-bust economy that was mostly boom until the worldwide financial crisis of 2008 revealed extravagant speculation in housing and casinos on an epic scale.
What tribes inhabited Nevada?
Prior to European contact, Native Americans of the Paiute, Shoshone, and Washoe tribes inhabited the land comprising the modern state. The first Europeans to explore the region originated from Spain. They gave the region the name of Nevada (snowy) due to the snow which covered the mountains at winter. The area formed part of the Viceroyalty of New Spain, becoming part of Mexico when that country gained independence in 1821. The United States acquired the territory in 1848 following its victory in the Mexican-American War, and the area was eventually incorporated as part of Utah Territory in 1850. The discovery of silver at the Comstock Lode in 1859 led to a population boom that became an impetus to the creation of Nevada Territory out of western Utah Territory in 1861
Why was Nevada a state?
Statehood was rushed to help ensure three electoral votes for Abraham Lincoln's reelection and add to the Republican congressional majorities. Nevada became the second of two states added to the Union during the Civil War (the first being West Virginia) and became known as the “Battle Born State” as a result of when it achieved statehood.
Is Nevada desert or semiarid?
Nevada is largely desert and semiarid, much of it located within the Great Basin. Areas south of the Great Basin are located within the Mojave Desert, while Lake Tahoe and the Sierra Nevada lie on the western edge. Nevada is also home to the Hoover Dam, which was the single largest public works project in the history of the United States, and Lake Mead, the largest reservoir in the country.
When did the Indians settle in Nevada?
Archaeological evidence indicates that prehistoric Indian settlements existed in Nevada more than 20,000 years ago. Cave dwellers left picture writings on rocks in southern Nevada, and Basketmakers and Pueblo Indians also flourished there. Explorers of the early 1800s found Mojave, Paiute, Shoshone, and Washoe groups at various locations within Nevada.
What was Nevada's prosperity?
Prosperity returned to Nevada only after the beginning of the 20th century, when rich silver ores were discovered near Tonopah and major copper deposits around Ely and when a major gold strike occurred at Goldfield. Thousands of miners answered the lure of these bonanzas, and the railroads built extensive branchlines to bring in equipment to the mining areas and haul out the ore. Accessible railroads and low shipping rates also encouraged cattle ranchers to renew large-scale production. Irrigation of fertile river valleys produced sizable hay crops. Thus assured of winter feed, ranchers further expanded their herds in the upland regions. World War I created demand for Nevada’s beef and metals, which kept the boom going, but the failing markets of the 1920s brought the return of economic depression.
What was Nevada's territory?
Nevada, which came within U.S. sovereignty under the Treaty of Guadalupe Hidalgo (1848), was a part of California until it was incorporated into the newly organized Utah Territory in 1850. In 1849 a settlement was made at Mormon Station (later Genoa) in Carson Valley, but the population remained sparse until the discovery of the famous Comstock Lode in 1859. From that time on Nevada ceased to be merely a highway for gold seekers on the way to California. Virginia City became the most famous of all the Western mining camps, and the rapid influx of prospectors and settlers resulted in the organization of Nevada Territory in 1861.
What happened to cattle in the late 1880s?
In the late 1880s many cattle ranchers were forced into bankruptcy. With the depression of the mining and ranching industries, the state’s population dropped from 62,000 in 1880 to 47,000 in 1890.
What was Nevada's economy dependent on?
Mining and cattle- ranching decades . In its early decades Nevada’s economy was dependent on mining and ranching. The rich Comstock mines reached a maximum annual output of $36 million in silver in 1878. During the 1870s, however, the federal government limited the role of silver in the monetary system, causing a decline in silver prices, ...
Why was Nevada important to the Civil War?
The American Civil War (1861–65) gave strategic importance to the new territory. Pres. Abraham Lincoln realized that Ne vada’s mineral wealth could help the Union ; he also needed a Northern-allied state to support proposed antislavery amendments to the Constitution and a strategic buffer zone to check Confederate advances against California from Arizona and New Mexico, whose people were sympathetic to the Southern cause. Although Nevada Territory had only about one-fifth of the population required for statehood, Congress accepted the proposed state constitution and voted for statehood in 1864.
What route did the pioneers follow in the 1840s?
During the 1840s pioneers followed the Humboldt Valley– Donner Pass route to the Pacific Coast, and the Gold Rush of 1849 greatly expanded migration through Nevada to California. John C. Frémont. John C. Frémont, engraving from a daguerreotype by Mathew Brady, c. 1850. Hulton Archive/Getty Images.
When was Nevada granted its own territory?
Before the discovery of silver in Virginia City in 1859, Nevada was generally skirted by settlers heading west. The lure of riches changed everything for this barren land, which was quickly granted its own territory in 1861 and statehood in 1864.
What are the three industries in Nevada?
Nevada is essentially made up of three industries: mining, gambling and nuclear weapons testing (in that order). The first settlements were created on the back of silver strikes in the north, and when those dried up the inherent gambling scene of the mining towns evolved into Las Vegas and Reno. The US government liked the barren desert ...
Why did the US government like the barren desert of Nevada?
The US government liked the barren desert of Nevada for testing their new atomic bombs throughout the 1950s. All three of these sectors continue to attract tourists in their own way, though Vegas easily leads the charge.
Is Nevada a gambling state?
Once the nuclear testing sites were shut down, Nevada focused firmly on its gambling revenue from Las Vegas and Reno. They began to lure retirees with affordable housing and loads of entertainment to the valley. Vegas remains the main driver of Nevada, attracting visitors in droves despite the recent economic downturn.
Where to see the early days of Las Vegas?
Fascinating museums dedicated to the early days of Vegas can be found in the Tropicana and downtown in the new Mob Museum. The testing of nuclear weapons was another major facet of Nevada’s economy in the early 20th century. The Nevada Test Site, opened in 1951, is just 65 miles from Las Vegas. More nuclear bombs were exploded here ...
Is Nevada a retirement state?
Nevada also has a large population of retirees, mainly living in the Las Vegas area. Overall, the state is a total mishmash of senior citizens, party people, blue-collar casino workers, and grizzled cowboys in the other towns. Nevada is a fun and wild state and as the saying goes, "What Happens in Las Vegas, Stays in Las Vegas," so leave your inhibitions behind. You may not encounter much friendliness in Las Vegas, but in the rural towns people are generally laid back and open to visitors.
When was gambling legalized in Nevada?
The unregulated gambling that was once an integral part of town life evolved into a semi-regulated industry by 1931 when it was officially legalized by the government. Eight days later the federal government granted the funding to build the Hoover Dam.
What is Nevada's frontier heritage?
Nevada’s frontier heritage is commemorated by annual pageants and festivals. During Helldorado Days, begun in 1905 and held in Las Vegas each May, the townspeople wear Western garb and take part in parades, rodeos, art shows, and sporting events. The National Basque Festival is held in Elko the first weekend of July.
What are the museums in Nevada?
Cultural institutions. The Nevada State Museum, in Carson City, emphasizes the mining industry and mineral collections. Anthropological artifacts are featured at the Lost City Museum in Overton, at the Las Vegas Natural History Museum, and at the Clark County Heritage Museum in Henderson. The W.M. Keck Museum, located at the Mackay School ...
What is the newspaper in Nevada?
Today the state’s major daily newspapers are the Las Vegas Sun, the Las Vegas Review-Journal, the Reno Gazette-Journal, and the Nevada Appeal (published in Carson City). Reno and Las Vegas have a variety of network television stations.
What is the difference between the University of Nevada and the Nevada State Library?
The library of the University of Nevada, Reno, has an expansive collection of books , while the Nevada State Library and Archives in Carson City is notable for its excellent collection of legal works.
