Date Conquered: 3/16/09
Quick Description: A marker noting the importance of an important Mormon watering hole.
Signed: No -- Historically, this marker was never signed.
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, as seen in the photos shown below...
 Panaca Spring - in all it's glory.
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The truth is, the SHPO chose a great location for this marker considering that many desert springs have restricted access in one way or another. Panaca Spring is a public site accessible on a good dirt road (north from Fifth Street) for one mile north of Panaca. The spring is beautiful, 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 reason why the marker was removed in the first place.
 The old home of #160...
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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 vandalism. 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 [160] Panaca Spring.
 Notice the oversized plaque used for this medium-sized marker!
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Full Description:
Exact description as reads ...
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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.
 The new home of [160]. As most of you might agree, the spring is a much better spot, but for the marker's own protection, this new home will definitely work.
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 You couldn't miss this one if you wanted to. Here is the view from the intersection.
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Thanks to Gary Bodell (NDOT) for helping provide correct information on this Historical Marker and providing contactees for Lincoln County branch NDOT. See you out there!
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