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First White Man in Nevada Territory
Fray Francisco Garces and another monk set out to create a trail from Nevada to the Western Colonies between California (est. 1769) aand Monterey (est. 1770). -
First American in Nevada Territory
Jedediah Strong Smith was the first American to wander into Nevada Territory. -
Old Spanish Trail Founded; Las Vegas Named
Antonio Armijo & a party of 60 on the Old Spanish Trail to Los Angeles find an abundance of spring water that allows travelers to cut directly through the vast desert to Los Angeles. Spanish traders named the desert oasis Las Vegas, Spanish for "The Meadows". -
The Donner Party
The Donner Party waited too long in the Truckee Meadows near Reno, Nevada, and got caught in the heavy snows of the Sierra Nevada when they tried to follow the "Hastings Cutoff" through the Mountains into California. They resorted cannibalism in their attempts to survive the winter. 47 out of 87 died. -
Gained the Area of Nevada
United States acquired Nevada in the Treaty of Guadalupe Hidalgo. -
Comstock Lode Discovered
Rich outcropping of gold and silver, the Comstock Lode, was discovered 40 miles from the Truckee Meadows attracting many looking for gold. -
Official U.S. Territory
President Buchanan signed a Congressional Bill which created the Territory of Nevada. -
Nevada Becomes a State
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Period: to
Statehood
From Oct. 31st, 1864 to Present Day. -
Longest Morse Code Ever Sent
The longest Morse Code telegram ever sent was the Nevada state constitution Sent from Carson City to Washington, DC. and cost $3,000. The first part was tapped out by Frank Bell, cousin to Alexander Graham Bell. -
First Train Robbery/U.S. Mint Established
A U.S. Mint was established in Carson City where coins were minted from 1870 to 1893.
Also, the first train robbery in the Western United States was this date. -
The White Winter
Nearly 100 inches of snow fell - the heaviest snowfall in northern Nevada history. An estimated 90-95% of the state's livestock died during that winter. -
First Flight in Nevada
The first air flight in Nevada took place on the old Raycraft Ranch. -
Indian's Last Stand
Last Indian "Uprising." Shoshone Mike and family members killed -
Nevada State Prohibition
State prohibition law goes into effect, and black market sale of liqour starts immediately. Also drives gambling underground. -
"Reno Arch" is Built
The famous "Reno Arch" was erected on Virginia Street in 1926 to promote the upcoming Transcontinental Highways Exposition of 1927, and the arch included the words "Nevada's Transcontinental Highways Exposition" and the dates of the exposition. -
Hoover Dam Construction Begins
Construction of the Hoover Dam begins. -
First Traffic Light
The first traffic light was installed on Fremont St. in Las Vegas, Nevada. -
Construction Hard Hats Invented
Construction worker Hard Hats were first invented and used specifically for workers on the dam. -
Electricity at Hoover Dam
The generation of electricity begins at Hoover Dam. -
H-Bomb Tested
10:00 a.m; American Hydrogen Bomb tested in Nevada Proving Grounds. -
First Supersonic Land Record
First supersonic land speed record 766.100 mph was set in Nevada's Black Rock Desert, 125 miles north of Reno.