Landmark #56 | Clark County | Visited: June 29, 2014 | Plaque? YES! 🙂 |
What is it? | A plaque marking a crucial route on the Old Spanish Trail, Mormon Road, and other expedition routes! |
What makes it historical? | THE PLAQUE SAYS: Virgin Valley was traveled by Jedediah Smith in 1826, and by Frémont in 1844. The valley served as the right-of-way for the Old Spanish Trail (1829-1848), and for the Mormon Road or southern route of travel to Southern California. The area was settled by pioneers of the Latter-Day Saints church, who colonized Bunkerville in 1877, and Mesquite in 1880. The Virgin River provided water for the development of the valley’s agricultural resources.
OTHER TIDBITS: It took three tries to settle the Virgin Valley, thanks to heavy floods from the Virgin River and generally extreme conditions in the desert! Once it was settled and installed with irrigation canals, it became a productive farming, dairy and tourism destination! |
How can I Help the Helpers? | HERE’S HOW:
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How do I find it? | Listed Directions: Along Mesquite Blvd (SR 144) at Virgin Valley Heritage Museum Mesquite, NV 89027 Annotations: 35 W Mesquite Blvd From Carson City: ~481mi (775km) — 8.1hrs |
When should I go? | Whenever the mood strikes you! |