Tule Springs in Las Vegas in Clark County, Nevada — The American Mountains (Southwest)
Tule Springs
(Archeological Site)
Scientific evidence shows this area, once covered with sagebrush and bordered with yellow-pine forests, had many springs. These springs were centers of activity for both big game animals and human predators. Evidence found at these fossil springs shows the presence, 14,000 to 11,000 years ago, of several extinct animals; the ground sloth, mammoth, prehistoric horse and American camel. The first Nevada record of the extinct giant condor comes from Tule Springs.
Early man, perhaps living in the valley as early as 13,000 years ago, and definitely present 11,000 years ago, was a hunter of the big game.
Small populations of desert culture people, about 7,000 years ago to the historic period, depended upon vegetable foods and small game for subsistence.
Late Pleistocene geological stratigraphy in few other areas is as complete and well known.
Nevada State Park System
Southern Nevada Historical Society
Erected by Nevada State Park System and the Southern Nevada Historical Society. (Marker Number 86.)
Topics. This historical marker is listed in these topic lists: Animals • Environment • Landmarks • Native Americans.
Location. 36° 19.333′ N, 115° 16.15′ W. Marker is in Las Vegas, Nevada, in Clark County. It is in Tule Springs. Marker is on Tule Springs Road, on the right when traveling north. Tule Springs is located within the Floyd Lamb Park at Tule Springs. Touch for map. Marker is in this post office area: Las Vegas NV 89131, United States of America. Touch for directions.
Other nearby markers. At least 8 other markers are within 12 miles of this marker, measured as the crow flies. Twin Lakes Lodge (approx. 10.8 miles away); Padre Francisco Garcés (approx. 10.8 miles away); Lorenzi Park (approx. 10.9 miles away); Kyle (Kiel) Ranch (approx. 10.9 miles away); Las Vegas Springs (approx. 11.3 miles away); a different marker also named Las Vegas Springs (approx. 11.3 miles away); Las Vegas (The Meadows) (approx. 11.4 miles away); Binion House (approx. 11½ miles away). Touch for a list and map of all markers in Las Vegas.
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 this marker for grammar and readability, and major changes have been made to the content of the marker. All references to the presence of man at Tule Springs or in the valley 11,000 years ago or longer have been removed. The marker now notes that the "site is important in the history of archaeology as the first place where C-14 Radiocarbon dating was used systematically and with verifiable results." The link will take you to the Nevada SHPO page for the marker with the amended text. (Submitted on October 25, 2013, by Duane Hall of Abilene, Texas.)
Additional commentary.
1. Park History
Tule Springs was first designated as a park when it was acquired by the city of Las Vegas in 1964. In 1977, it was renamed Floyd Lamb State Park when the state assumed control. In 2005, the city took control of the park for a second time when the state of Nevada agreed to return ownership of Floyd Lamb State Park to the City of Las Vegas. In 2007, the park was officially transferred to the city, and on July 2 it was renamed to Floyd Lamb Park at Tule Springs.
Credits. This page was last revised on February 7, 2023. It was originally submitted on September 8, 2009. This page has been viewed 3,726 times since then and 53 times this year. Last updated on April 21, 2010. Photos: 1. submitted on September 8, 2009, by Mh of Las Vegas, Nevada. 2. submitted on January 3, 2010, by Mh of Las Vegas, Nevada. 3. submitted on September 8, 2009, by Mh of Las Vegas, Nevada. • Syd Whittle was the editor who published this page.