Near Mercury in Nye County, Nevada — The American Mountains (Southwest)

Nevada Test Site

Photographed By M H, July 11, 2010

1. Nevada Test Site Marker

Inscription. 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 prehistoric cultures are represented. The last aboriginal group to occupy the site was the Southern Paiute who foraged plant foods in season and occupied the area until the coming of the pioneers.

Erected 1972 by Nevada State Park System. (Marker Number 165.)

Topics. This historical marker is listed in these topic lists: Anthropology & Archaeology • Native Americans • Science & Medicine • Settlements & Settlers. A significant historical month for this entry is January 1951.

Location. 36° 35.55′ N, 116° 1.683′ W. Marker is near Mercury, Nevada, in Nye County. Marker is on U.S. 95, 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.

Also see . . .
1. The Nevada Test Site

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. 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.)

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

2. Nevada Test Site Marker

Credits. This page was last revised on January 20, 2020. It was originally submitted on July 13, 2010, by Mh of Las Vegas, Nevada. This page has been viewed 1,472 times since then and 42 times this year. Photos: 1, 2. submitted on July 13, 2010, by Mh of Las Vegas, Nevada. • Syd Whittle was the editor who published this page.