Fort McDermitt
Location: Extreme Northern Humboldt County, McDermitt Area
Directions: Along US 95, 3.5 miles south of McDermitt
N 41° 56.578 W 117° 42.456
Location: 8
Visibility: 1
Accessibility: 1
Marker type: St (L)
Date Conquered: 8/28/08
Quick Description: A marker remembering Nevada's last U.S. Army post to protect white settlers and emigrants.
Signed: Yes -- Unique signage courtesy of NDOT. Signed on the northbound side of US 95 only.
Superlative!
[144] is the last Nevada Historic Marker on northbound US 95
Full Description:
Exact description as reads ...
Established in 1865, it was first called Quinn River Camp No. 33 (on the East Fork) then renamed in honor of military District Commander Lt. Col. Charles McDermitt, who was killed by Indians. Typically, the fort consisted of several adobe, stone and frame buildings surrounding a square. Its purpose was to protect the Virginia City-Quinn River Valley-Oregon Road. Twenty-four years of operation made it the longest active Army fort in Nevada. Its troops participated in the Modoc War and the Bannock and Shoshone Indian troubles. It was the last of the Nevada Army posts in service when converted into an Indian reservation school in 1889.
[144] and the Fort McDermitt Indian Reservation in the b.g.
Notice McDermitt in the b.g, the cluster of buildings on the right-side of the horizon.
McDermitt, Nevada ... and ... McDermitt, Oregon?
Nevada ends just on the horizon. Since you've already come this far, you might as well pay a visit to the tiny hamlet of McDermitt, pop. 140. Like other border towns in Nevada, McDermitt comes equipped with one major casino (on the left) - the Say When Casino - and its 1950s feel in the middle of the desert. McDermitt also has two gas stations (including the Sinclair on the right with an attached motel), a small bar, restaurant, post office, and service station. Other than that ... Welcome to McDermitt!
The entire town of McDermitt, literally!
DID YOU KNOW?...
...McDermitt's post office actually sits ON the state line with Nevada and Oregon? This means half of McDermitt solidly sits in Nevada and the other half sits within the Beaver State of Oregon. Proof of this is the unique highway signage by both states as you enter the town from either side. (As you enter McDermitt from Oregon, ODOT-style signage reads "Entering McDermitt.") Obviously, the casino is placed firmly on Nevada soil, along with most of McDermitt's businesses. This means that fortunately, almost every dollar scrimped from commuters on US 95 goes into Nevada's pockets. However, most people who live in McDermitt choose the Oregon side because of cheaper land taxes.
So then, the question remains: which state does the post office claim sides to? After speaking to one local, McDermitt residents really don't care.
A view into Oregon. Welcome to the Beaver State. Sorry folks. No coastal views here!
Notice the state line spanning US 95.
Home sweet home. Welcome to Nevada.
Standing in Oregon and the view to Nevada's Sinclair gas station.
As lovely as the trip was, it was time to go home. Never a place too far for Nevada Landmarks!
Hitting the pavement for Nevada's landmarks!
