Overton in Clark County, Nevada — The American Mountains (Southwest)

Fay Perkins, Sr.

January 28, 1885—October 10, 1962

Photographed By Karen Key, October 2, 2007

1. Fay Perkins, Sr. Marker

Inscription. Fay Perkins Sr., was born in Overton, Nevada and spent his entire life in Moapa Valley. In 1924, Fay Perkins and his brother John Perkins reported to Governor James G. Scrugham that many ancient Indian ruins existed in the Moapa Valley. Governor Scrugam immediately called archaeologist M.R. Harrington, of the Heye Foundation, Museum of the American Indian, and excavations were begun in that year.

From 1924, until his death in 1962, Fay Perkins remained involved in archaeology in Southern Nevada. Due to his efforts, artifacts from archaeological sites, to be inundated by Lake Mead, were excavated and preserved. During the 1940's, Perkins was instrumental in establishing the Lost City Museum of Archaeology, under the National Park Service, and in 1952, when the museum became a State institution, was appointed its first curator by Governor Vail Pittman. Fay Perkins served as curator of the museum from 1952 until 1958. When failing health forced him to resign. He did, however, continue to serve as assistant curator until his death.

Topics. This historical marker is listed in these topic lists: Anthropology & Archaeology • Native Americans. A significant historical date for this entry is January 28, 1892.

Location. 36° 31.887′ N, 114° 26.467′ W. Marker is in Overton, Nevada, in Clark County.

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The marker is located inside the Lost City Museum. Admission is $5 for adults and free for members and children, ages 17 and younger. Museum exhibits are subject to change and may not be the same as pictured in this entry. The marker remains the same (March, 2020). Touch for map. Marker is at or near this postal address: 721 S Moapa Valley Boulevard, Overton NV 89040, United States of America. Touch for directions.

Other nearby markers. At least 8 other markers are within 7 miles of this marker, measured as the crow flies. Lost City Museum (here, next to this marker); Pueblo Grande de Nevada (within shouting distance of this marker); Moapa Valley Pioneers (within shouting distance of this marker); Early Settlements in the Moapa Valley (approx. half a mile away); Overton (approx. 0.6 miles away); Pioneers (approx. 0.8 miles away); St. Thomas (approx. 5.4 miles away); Valley of Fire Behind the Camera (approx. 6.2 miles away). Touch for a list and map of all markers in Overton.

Also see . . . The First 100 Persons Who Shaped Southern Nevada. An account of finding the Lost City in 1924. (Submitted on December 7, 2007, by Karen Key of Sacramento, California.)

Additional commentary.
1. Fay Perkins Sr.
I knew Fay Perkins Sr. since he was my Grand Pa. My Dad, Fay Perkins Sr.'s son, Harry Brent Perkins just celebrated his 85th Birthday August 11, 2008. I had visited

Photographed By Karen Key, October 2, 2007

2. Fay Perkins, Sr. Marker

Grand Pa Perkins many times at the lost City Museum before his death in 1962. I was 12 years old at that time. Grand Ma Perkins died in 1957 in Overton. I can remember she always had a metal can of candy when we would go and visit them. Any comments or questions feel free to contact me...

— Submitted August 11, 2008, by Roger Dennis Perkins of Mesquite, Nevada.

Display case below marker image. Click for full size.

Photographed By Karen Key, October 2, 2007

3. Display case below marker

Credits. This page was last revised on February 7, 2023. It was originally submitted on December 7, 2007, by Karen Key of Sacramento, California. This page has been viewed 2,662 times since then and 22 times this year. Last updated on March 1, 2020, by Mary Beth Timm of Overton, Nevada. Photos: 1, 2, 3. submitted on December 7, 2007, by Karen Key of Sacramento, California. • J. Makali Bruton was the editor who published this page.