Caliente (Culverwell's Ranch) Lincoln County   37.61328, -114.51481

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"I'm trying to determine whether this is a nice placement for #55. Spanning the background are the tracks for the Union Pacific RR, the very foundation for this town and its existence, yet somehow its placement seems a bit contrived. Maybe we could place it at the Caliente Rest Stop north of town? Even better would be within Kershaw-Ryan State Park. Either way, the vibe here definitely resembles more Utah than Nevada. Silver or beehive anyone?" -- Journal Entry, April 2009

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Along (Front Street) US 93 in Caliente

Original Date Visited: 4/13/08

Signed: No

Exact Description:
Caliente was first settled as a ranch, furnishing hay for the mining camps of Pioche and Delamar. In 1901, the famous Harriman-Clark right-of-way battle was ended when rancher Charles Culverwell, with the aid of a broadgauge shotgun, allowed one railroad grade to be built through his lush meadows. Harriman and Clark had been battling 11 years building side-by-side grades, ignoring court orders and Federal marshals.

The population boom began with an influx of railroad workers, most of them immigrants from Austria, Japan and Turkey. Not understanding the laws and customs of the land, racial conflicts were frequent. A tent city was settled in August, 1903.

With the completion of the Los Angeles, San Pedro and Salt Lake Railroad in 1905, Caliente became a division point. In 1906-07, the Caliente and Pioche Railroad (now the Union Pacific) was built between Pioche and the main line at Caliente. The large Neo-Mission-type depot was built in 1923, serving as a civic center, as well as a hotel.

Next Marker:

VIRGIN VALLEY

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Related Links & Markers

 [5] -- Pioche   [90] -- Delamar ("The Widow Maker")   [195] -- The Last Spike   [249] -- Union Pacific Depot   Nevada Towns: Caliente   Nevada Towns: Delamar 

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