Near Mercury in Nye County, Nevada — The American Mountains (Southwest)
Nevada Test Site
Photographed by Craig Baker
1. Nevada Test Site Marker
Tests of devices for defense and for peaceful uses of nuclear explosives have been conducted here since the 1950s. The nation's principal nuclear explosives testing laboratory was located within this 1,350 square mile, geologically complex area in the isolated valleys of Jackass, Yucca, and Frenchman flats. Selected as the North American test site in 1950, the first test took place on Frenchman Flat in January 1951. Today, the Nevada Test Site is one of the nation's most important expressions of the Cold War.
Archeological studies of the Nevada Test Site have revealed continuous occupation over the past 9,500 years. Several American Indian cultures are represented. Southern Paiutes were the most recent group to occupy the area.
original marker text:
Testing of devices for defense and for peaceful uses of nuclear explosives is conducted here. The nation's principal nuclear explosives testing laboratory is located within this 1,350 square mile, geologically complex, area in the isolated valleys of Jackass, Yucca, and Frenchman Flats. Selected as on-continent test site in 1950, the first test took place on Frenchman Flat in January, 1951.
Archeological studies of the NTS area have revealed continuous occupation by prehistoric man from about 9,500 years ago. Several
this page online
Erected 1972 by Nevada State Park System. (Marker Number 165.)
Topics. This historical marker is listed in these topic lists: Anthropology & Archaeology • Indigenous Peoples and Communities • Science & Medicine • Settlements & Settlers. A significant historical month for this entry is January 1951.
Location. 36° 35.559′ N, 116° 1.692′ W. Marker is near Mercury, Nevada, in Nye County. It is on U.S. 95, 1.8 miles west of Mercury Highway, on the right when traveling west. Touch for map. Marker is in this post office area: Mercury NV 89023, United States of America. Touch for directions.
Regionally, this marker is in the Mojave Desert and in Central Nevada. 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 Mexicos Alta California.
Also see . . .
1. The Nevada Test Site. President Truman established the NTS in December 1950, as the nation's on-continent nuclear weapons testing area. Prior to 1950, most tests were conducted in the Pacific. This was costly, time-consuming, and logistically difficult. The first bomb, a one kiloton warhead dropped from an airplane, was detonated on January 27, 1951. Between 1951 and 1962, 126 atmospheric tests of atomic weapons were conducted within the Test Site's boundaries.
Tours of the area are available. (Submitted on July 13, 2010.)
Photographed by M H, July 11, 2010
2. Original Nevada Test Site Marker
2. 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, readability, and content. The marker has been amended to state "Today, the Nevada Test Site is one of the nation's most important expressions of the Cold War." 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 M H, July 11, 2010
3. Nevada Test Site Marker
from Wikimedia Commons
4. Nevada Test Site Main Entrance - 1974
from Wikimedia Commons
5. Nevada Test Site - 1951
Credits. This page was last revised on May 7, 2026. It was originally submitted on July 13, 2010, by Mh of Las Vegas, Nevada. This page has been viewed 2,139 times since then and 84 times this year. Photos: 1. submitted on May 7, 2026, by Craig Baker of Sylmar, California. 2, 3. submitted on July 13, 2010, by Mh of Las Vegas, Nevada. 4, 5. submitted on May 7, 2026, by Craig Baker of Sylmar, California. • Syd Whittle was the editor who published this page.
