Overton in Clark County, Nevada — The American Mountains (Southwest)
Early Settlements in the Moapa Valley
Photographed By Bill Kirchner, August 29, 2011
1. Early Settlements in the Moapa Valley Marker
Inscription.
Early Settlements in the Moapa Valley. . During the early 1860's, Brigham Young directed that settlements be built in the area known today as the Moapa Valley. The water from the Muddy River, and the rich soil of the Valley, made the land a prime agricultural area for southern Nevada. Settlers sent by the Mormon church created the towns of St. Thomas (1865), St. Joseph (1865), Simonsville/Mill Point (1866), West Point (1868), Overton (1870), Logandale (1881), and Kaolin (1910). Early settlements thrived until 1871, when local residents found they were in Nevada, not Arizona. Moving back to Utah, they did not return for ten years. Overton, Logandale, and St. Thomas were revived, though St. Thomas, along with the later settlement of Kaolin, was ultimately drowned by the waters of Lake Mead.
During the early 1860's, Brigham Young directed that settlements be built in the area known today as the Moapa Valley. The water from the Muddy River, and the rich soil of the Valley, made the land a prime agricultural area for southern Nevada. Settlers sent by the Mormon church created the towns of St. Thomas (1865), St. Joseph (1865), Simonsville/Mill Point (1866), West Point (1868), Overton (1870), Logandale (1881), and Kaolin (1910). Early settlements thrived until 1871, when local residents found they were in Nevada, not Arizona. Moving back to Utah, they did not return for ten years. Overton, Logandale, and St. Thomas were revived, though St. Thomas, along with the later settlement of Kaolin, was ultimately drowned by the waters of Lake Mead.
Erected 2011 by Queho Posse Chapter 1919 of E Clampus Vitus, In conjunction with Sugars Home Plate, a part of Moapa Valley since its founding as the Lost City Café in 1938.
Topics and series. This historical marker is listed in this topic list: Settlements & Settlers. In addition, it is included in the E Clampus Vitus series list. A significant historical year for this entry is 1871.
Location. 36° 32.329′ N, 114° 26.608′ W. Marker is in Overton, Nevada, in Clark County. Marker is on South Main Street, 0.1 miles
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south of West Perkins, on the right when traveling south. Touch for map. Marker is in this post office area: Overton NV 89040, United States of America. Touch for directions.
Credits. This page was last revised on February 7, 2023. It was originally submitted on September 11, 2011, by Bill Kirchner of Tucson, Arizona. This page has been viewed 1,003 times since then and 42 times this year. Photos:1, 2, 3. submitted on September 11, 2011, by Bill Kirchner of Tucson, Arizona. • Syd Whittle was the editor who published this page.
