[160]       

Panaca Spring

Lincoln County
  37.79536, -114.3851

"That was a close one. I was a little concerned about this one going in because of its location alongside a popular spring. In Nevada, any body of water no matter how small is significant. The last thing I need to concern myself with is another missing marker, especially out here in the far reaches of Nevada so far from home!" -- Journal Entry, April 2009

Panaca Community Park -- Panaca
 * From Main Street, turn north onto Fifth St for a half-mile to the park *

Original Date Visited: 4/16/09

Signed: No

Marker History
Other resources will tell you this marker is, "Located on the County road, one mile north of Panaca, Nevada". Well, at one time it was. "1 mile" actually meant Panaca Spring. In truth, the spring was a great location, especially when you factor in that most desert springs throughout Nevada have restricted access in one way or another. Well in this case, Panaca Spring is a public site accessible on a good dirt road (Fifth Street) north of town. The spring itself is lovely and swimming and camping are popular activities here, as evident by the rope swing, numerous fire rings, picnic table, and litter barrel. This hole, proudly claimed by Panaca locals, might more or less lead to the reason why the marker was removed in the first place.

To clear up these fuzzy questions, I touched base with a Lincoln County Sheriff and he informed me that they ("the Highway Patrol") and NDOT took it upon themselves to move the marker to protect it from local vandals. Although the spring only sits a mile outside of town, the site is remote enough and many party-goers were seen raising hell here in past years. "They" moved the marker to a spot where, "it could be monitored more properly," at the Panaca City Park in plain sight. Too bad most Nevada folks do not follow in the ways of these folks. Many, many kudos go to NDOT and the Lincoln authorities for safely relocating this fine marker.

  • [160] Notice the oversized plaque for this marker
  • [160] Marker 160 plaque
  • [160] The new home of of Marker 160. The spring is a much better spot but for the markers own protection this new home will definitely work!
  • Panaca Spring
  • [160] Notice the oversized plaque for this marker

Exact Description:
The large and constant flow of sweet, warm water from this spring makes possible the desert oasis of Meadow Valley. First noted by Manley's ill-fated Death Valley Party in 1849, the site was cultivated in 1858 by Brigham Young's White Mountain Mission men, who sought a desert refuge should U.S. persecution of Mormons occur in Utah. The site was abandoned that same year when this issue was resolved.

Dependent on these spring waters, Mormons built the first permanent settlement in southern Nevada at Panaca in 1864. For 80 years this water was used for all domestic purposes.

The Meadow Valley Mining District, including the Pioche area, was organized in 1864 with its center at Panaca Spring.

Next Marker:

CHURCHILL COUNTY COURTHOUSE

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