Sarah Winnemucca Hopkins (1844-1891) Humboldt County   41.97265, -117.62186

"The moment I am about to leave I am greeted by the largest herd of wild horses I have ever seen (maybe sixty)! ...And, I'm writing this in lieu of taking pictures because my battery is dead. Figures. While I sit here watching these mustangs, I'm being attended by watchful eyes of both the horses and the people who live here. I hope both of them know I am only trying to represent their peaceful home up here in the best possible way ..." -- Journal Entry, August 2009

At the Tribal headquarters on the McDermitt Indian Reservation, 7.5 miles southeast of McDermitt
* From US 95, turn east onto "Reservation Road." Continue for 5.2 miles to the Tribal Headquarters Building *

Original Date Visited: 8/28/09

Signed: No

A Marker On The Edge of Nevada Most people have no idea of this marker's existence thanks mostly to a lack of signage along US 95. I guess NDOT figured that people would find it some way or another when exploring these far northern nooks of Nevada. Start by looking out for a brown sign that reads "Tribal HQ" from US 95, approximately 3 miles south of McDermitt. Keep in mind that this road, although paved, is unsigned and un-named so all you atlas lovers beware! (Benchmark Maps, the big black atlas, lists this road as "North Reservation Road.") Follow this road east for 5 miles and you will eventually come to this intersection ... ... Look to your right here and below is what you'll see. Look very carefully. Can you spot the marker? Turn right at this junction. You will find this remote marker a 1/4 mile later on your left in front of the Tribal HQ, well away from the crowds in a very quiet, peaceful setting quite symbolic of Sarah Winnemucca. There is a small parking spot just below the marker so try to avoid blocking the driveway.

Exact Description:
The northern Paiute name Thocmetony (Shell-Flower) was bestowed on this valiant daughter of Chief Winnemucca and grandchild of the redoubtable Captain Truckee--a friend and supporter of General John C. Fremont. Sarah sought understanding between her people and whites when the latter trekked across and settled on Indian homelands. By lecturing, by writing a book (presumably the first in English by an Indian woman) and by founding a non-government school for Indian children, she worked tirelessly to remedy injustice and to advocate peace. Here at Fort McDermitt as interpreter and teacher she served well both Indians and the U.S. military. This exceptional Indian woman, a leader of her race, believed in the brotherhood of mankind.

Marker 143 on the edge of Nevada. The Beaver State of Oregon is only three air miles to the north.

Next Marker:

FORT MCDERMITT

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Related Links & Markers:

 Sarah Winnemucca (Biography)   Sarah Winnemucca (Online Nevada Encyclopedia) 

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