Historical Markers of Churchill County
- HM 10 - Sand Mountain
- HM 19 - Ragtown
- HM 26 - Forty Mile Desert
- HM 27 - Grimes Point (Prehistoric Rock Art Site)
- HM 83 - Rock Creek (Cold Springs Station)
- HM 110 - Wagon Jack Shelter
- HM 111 - Edwards Creek Valley
- HM 135 - New Pass Station
- HM 147 - A Home of Early Man
- HM 161 - Churchill County Courthouse
- HM 178 - Hazen
- HM 201 - Wonder (Historic Mining Camp -- 1909-1919)
- HM 202 - Fairview (1905-1917)
- HM 215 - Lahontan Dam
- HM 216 - Stillwater
- HM 263 - Oats Park School
Nevada Landmarks Home Page
*HM 26*
-- Forty Mile Desert--
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Location: Western Churchill County, 40 Mile District
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Date Conquered: 8/14/07
Quick Description: A marker describing what California-bound emigrants called, the most-feared portion of Nevada.
Signed: Yes -- Original cut-out shield! Nice to see this one is still in relatively good condition! (Signed on both lanes of US 95.)
GPS: LAT, N39° 56' 26.1" LON, W118° 45' 01.4"
Full Description:
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 at 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 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 horses, 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.
Exact description as reads...
