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

Camels and Commerce

Photographed by Bill Kirchner, August 26, 2011

1. Camels and Commerce Marker

Inscription. After the United States government's successful experiment with camels in the west in 1857, entrepreneurs saw possibilities in the ungainly beasts for carrying supplies. In addition to the government's camels, which were sold off by 1864, two private shipments were brought in to Texas, and three into San Francisco, with over 200 eventually imported. Companies were formed to utilize camels from British Columbia to Mexico. In Nevada, civilian use of camels included transporting salt and lumber to the Comstock, and later running caravans through southern Nevada to Arizona. When business slowed, the camels were let loose in the desert where they flourished, until some local tribes and settlers discovered their meat was good to eat. Though still seen as late as the early twentieth century, camels eventually disappeared from the desert southwest, but their memory lived on in tales told around the campfire.

Erected 2010 by Queho Posse #1919 and Billy Holcomb #1069 Chapters E Clampus Vitus. (Marker Number 140.)

Topics and series. This historical marker is listed in these topic lists: Animals • Industry & Commerce.

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In addition, it is included in the E Clampus Vitus series list. A significant historical year for this entry is 1857.

Location. 35° 9.716′ N, 114° 34.312′ W. Marker is in Laughlin, Nevada, in Clark County. It can be reached from South Casino Drive, on the right when traveling south. Marker is at the entrance to the Regency Casino. Touch for map. Marker is at or near this postal address: 1950 South Casino Drive, Laughlin NV 89029, United States of America. Touch for directions.

Regionally, this marker is in the Mojave Desert

and in Greater Las Vegas.

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 8 other markers are within 6 miles of this marker, measured as the crow flies: Laughlin, an Oasis on the Colorado (approx. 0.3 miles away); Donald (Don) J. Laughlin (approx. 0.6 miles away); Avenue of Flags (approx. 0.6 miles away); Commercial Steamship Transportation and Bullhead Community Park (approx.

Photographed by Bill Kirchner, August 26, 2011

2. Camels and Commerce Marker

1½ miles away in Arizona); Old Fort Mohave (approx. 1½ miles away in Arizona); Hardyville Pioneer Cemetery (approx. 3 miles away in Arizona); Arizona Veterans Memorial (approx. 5.8 miles away in Arizona); Arizona Medal of Honor (approx. 5.9 miles away in Arizona). Touch for a list and map of all markers in Laughlin.

Another marker is no longer nearby. Hardyville Site (was approx. 3 miles away in Arizona but has been confirmed missing).

Regency Casino image. Click for full size.

Photographed by Bill Kirchner, August 26, 2011

3. Regency Casino

Camels and Commerce Marker is to the right of the entrance.

Regency Casino entrance image. Click for full size.

Photographed by Bill Kirchner, August 27, 2011

4. Regency Casino entrance

View east from South Casino Drive.

Dedication Patch image. Click for full size.

Photographed by Michael Kindig, October 10, 2010

5. Dedication Patch

Camels of the West - E Clampus Vitus
Queho Posse Chapter No. 1919 - Billy Holcomb Chapter No. 1069
Fall River Rendevouz 6015

Credits. This page was last revised on June 16, 2016. It was originally submitted on September 1, 2011, by Bill Kirchner of Tucson, Arizona. This page has been viewed 1,334 times since then and 37 times this year. Last updated on November 3, 2014, by Michael Kindig of Elk Grove, California. Photos: 1, 2, 3, 4. submitted on September 1, 2011, by Bill Kirchner of Tucson, Arizona. 5. submitted on December 27, 2011, by Michael Kindig of Elk Grove, California. • Bill Pfingsten was the editor who published this page.