Overton in Clark County, Nevada — The American Mountains (Southwest)
Powell of the Colorado
Photographed By Bill Kirchner, August 29, 2011
1. Powell of the Colorado Marker
The expedition left Green River City, Wyoming Territory, on May 24, 1869. For three months Powell and his men endured danger and hunger to explore, survey and study the geology of the canyons along the Green and Colorado Rivers.
Exhausted and near starvation, the Powell party was warmly greeted and fed by the hardy Mormon pioneers of St. Thomas, a small farm settlement about 11 miles north of here.
The original sites of St. Thomas and the junction of the Virgin and Colorado Rivers are now beneath the waters of Lake Mead.
This, and later Powell surveys, stimulated great interest in the water conservation problems of the Southwest.
Erected by Nevada State Park System, National Park Service, Southern Nevada Historical Society. (Marker Number 37.)
Topics. This historical marker is listed in these topic lists: Exploration • Waterways & Vessels. A significant historical month for this entry is May 1870.
Location. 36° 18.455′ N, 114° 25.228′ W. Marker is near Overton, Nevada, in Clark County. Marker can be reached
this page online
Other nearby markers. At least 8 other markers are within 12 miles of this marker, measured as the crow flies. Arrowhead Trail (approx. 8.6 miles away); In Memory of Sergeant John J. Clark (approx. 8.6 miles away); The Cabins (approx. 9.2 miles away); Valley of Fire (approx. 9.9 miles away); Nevada’s First State Park (approx. 9.9 miles away); Beehives (approx. 10.2 miles away); Atlatl Rock (approx. 10.8 miles away); Silica Dome (approx. 11.2 miles away). Touch for a list and map of all markers in Overton.
Related marker. Click here for another marker that is related to this marker. A monument located at the starting point of the Powell Expedition in Green River, Wy.
Also see . . .
1. The Powell Expedition. The Powell Expedition began its momentous journey in Green River City in Wyoming on May 24, 1869. Assembled there were the crew, the boats and all of the supplies necessary for a three month trip down the Green and Colorado Rivers and through the then unknown depths of the Grand Canyon. (Submitted on September 2, 2011, by Bill Kirchner of Tucson, Arizona.)
2. New Amended Text for Marker. The Nevada State Historic Preservation Office (SHPO) recently updated the text of the roughly 260 state historical markers
Photographed By Bill Kirchner, August 29, 2011
2. Powell of the Colorado Marker
Lake Mead can be seen in the background.
Photographed By Bill Kirchner, August 29, 2011
3. Powell of the Colorado Marker
Photographed By Encyclopedia.com
4. Major John Wesley Powell
Credits. This page was last revised on February 7, 2023. It was originally submitted on September 2, 2011, by Bill Kirchner of Tucson, Arizona. This page has been viewed 522 times since then and 11 times this year. Photos: 1, 2, 3. submitted on September 2, 2011, by Bill Kirchner of Tucson, Arizona. 4. submitted on September 10, 2011. • Syd Whittle was the editor who published this page.
