Near Rachel in Lincoln County, Nevada — The American Mountains (Southwest)

Crystal Springs

Photographed by Dawn Bowen, June 15, 2007

1. Crystal Springs Marker

Inscription. The discovery of silver in Pahranagat Valley in 1865 resulted in the creation of Lincoln County with Crystal Springs designated as the provisional county seat in 1866. With the intention of organizing the new county, Governor Henry G. Blasdel left Carson City in April, 1866, accompanied by over twenty people and after a perilous journey through Death Valley, California, reached the new district of Pahranagat. This expedition was also expected to find a more practicable route between the valley and the towns of western Nevada. When the Governor arrived at Crystal Springs, he found that the region lacked the number of voters necessary to meet the requirements for county organization, which resulted in the eventual formation of the county at Hiko one year later. This locale, used as a watering place and campsite, was the principal stopover on the Mormon Trail alternate route.

Erected 1976 by Nevada State Park System, Nevada Historical Society. (Marker Number 205.)

Topics. This historical marker is listed in these topic lists: Natural Features • Political Subdivisions • Settlements & Settlers. A significant historical month for this entry is April 1866.

Location. 37° 31.958′ N, 115° 14.012′ W. Marker is near Rachel, Nevada, in Lincoln County.

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It is at the intersection of Nevada Route 375 and Route 318, on the left when traveling north on Nevada Route 375. Touch for map. Marker is in this post office area: Alamo NV 89001, United States of America. Touch for directions.

Regionally, this marker is in Nevada’s Mojave Desert.

It is also in the American Southwest

and in the Mountain West.

Globally, it is in North America,

the Western Hemisphere,

the Western World,

and the Anglosphere.

Historically, it finds itself in what was once New Spain

and also Mexico’s Alta California.

Other nearby markers. At least 3 other markers are within 13 miles of this marker, measured as the crow flies: Hiko (approx. 4½ miles away); a different marker also named Hiko (approx. 4½ miles away); Pahranagat Valley (approx. 12½ miles away).

Also see . . . New Amended Text for Marker. The Nevada State Historic Preservation Office (SHPO) recently updated the text of the roughly 260 state historical markers in Nevada. The Nevada SHPO placed the amended text of each individual marker on its website and will change the actual markers in the field as funding allows. Minor changes have been made to the marker for grammar and readability. The marker was amended to remove the references to the discovery of silver in Pahranagat Valley and to the expedition expecting to find a more practicable route. The link will take you to the Nevada SHPO page for the marker with the amended text. (Submitted on November 12, 2013, by Duane Hall of Abilene, Texas.)

Photographed by Dawn Bowen, June 15, 2007

2. Marker site

Crystal Springs image. Click for full size.

Photographed by Dawn Bowen, June 15, 2007

3. Crystal Springs

Photographed by Karen Key, October 1, 2007

4. Crystal Springs

Photographed by Karen Key, October 1, 2007

5. Crystal Springs

Photographed by Karen Key, October 1, 2007

6. Crystal Springs

Credits. This page was last revised on February 14, 2026. It was originally submitted on June 24, 2007, by Dawn Bowen of Fredericksburg, Virginia. This page has been viewed 1,849 times since then and 38 times this year. Photos: 1, 2, 3. submitted on June 24, 2007, by Dawn Bowen of Fredericksburg, Virginia. 4, 5, 6. submitted on December 2, 2007, by Karen Key of Sacramento, California. • J. J. Prats was the editor who published this page.