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Forty Mile Desert historic marker Nevada NV US United States of America attraction display education historical marker Historical Site information landmark marker Place of Interest sign Tourist Destination Travel Destination America attractive California Emigrant Trail Churchill County destination educating historic markers historic site info signage tourist attraction Walker-Chiles party West American appealing history no people text tourism travel United States attract historic nobody word daytime displays historical markers landmarks markers signs appeal color image educate historical outdoor USA vertical day destinations historic sites tourist attractions Jason O. Watson / historical-markers.org colour image outside U.S. day time U.S.A. day-time words color images daylight outdoors verticals colour images natural light outsides |
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FORTY MILE DESERT
The 40 mile desert, beginning here, is a barren stretch of waterless alkali wasteland. It was the most dreaded section of the California Emigrant Trail. If possible, it was traveled by night because of the great heat...The route was first traveled by the Walker-Chiles party in 1843, with the first wagon train, regardless of its horrors. It became the accepted route, as it split five miles southwest of here into the two main trails to California -- the Carson River and Truckee River routes...Starvation for men and animals stalked every mile. A survey made in 1850 showed these appalling statistics -- 1,061 dead mules, almost 5,000 horse, 3,750 cattle, and 953 graves. The then value of personal property loss was set at $1,000,000...The heaviest traffic came from 1849 to 1869. It was still used after completion of the central pacific railroad in 1869.
State Historical Marker No. 26.Nevada State Park System.
Churchill County Museum Committee |