Forty Mile Desert
Forty Mile Desert Overview
The Forty Mile Desert, beginning here, is a barren stretch of waterless alkali wasteland.
It was the most dreaded section of the California Emigrant Trail.
Category
California Emigrant Trail
Marker Type
Blue marker
Nevada Historical Marker Number
Forty Mile Desert is Nevada Historical Marker #126.
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County
GPS Coordinates
39.940687, -118.750153
Nevada Historical Marker Transcription
The Forty 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, travelers crossed it by night because of the great heat.
In 1843, the Walker-Chiles Party became the first wagon train to use the route. Regardless of the desert’s horrors, this became the accepted trail, as it divided five miles southwest of here into the two main routes to California – the Carson River and Truckee River trails.
Starvation and thirst preyed upon people and animals every mile. A survey made in 1850 illustrated appalling statistics – 1,061 dead mules, almost 5,000 horses, 3,750 cattle, and 953 graves. The value of personal property loss was set at the time at $1,000,000.
The heaviest traffic occurred between 1849 and 1869. The trail was still used after completion of the Central Pacific Railroad in 1869, although it saw declining traffic after that.
STATE HISTORICAL MARKER NO. 26
STATE HISTORIC PRESERVATION OFFICE
CHURCHILL COUNTY MUSEUM COMMITTEE
References Used
Forty Mile Desert