Exploring Panaca, Nevada
Eastern Nevada's Oldest Settlement has Roots in Mormonism and Silver
Sep 10, 2009
Panaca, Nevada is a small, dusty town in Lincoln County, 15 miles north of Caliente and just off US-93. Panaca is the only dry town in Nevada, is one of only two towns in the state to forbid gambling, and gained its start from Mormon settlers and nearby silver mines.
To reach Panaca, the traveler takes State Route 319 east, then drives a short distance past irrigated fields to the compact downtown area. If he were to continue along 319, he'd find himself in Utah, picking up Utah Route 56 at the state line.
The Panaca Claim
At the time of its settling, the Panaca area was home to Paiute Indians who saw white people only when they passed through on pioneer trails. The Mormons were early visitors, but the town's name was fated in 1863 when a Paiute showed missionary William Hamblin some rocks he called "panacker" or "panagari." The words meant "metal, money, wealth" and Hamblin set off in pursuit of all three. By 1864 he had established a silver mine, the Panaca Claim or Panacker Ledge, several miles north of Meadow Valley.
Under orders from Utah, Hamblin, J.N. Vandermark and Stephen Sherwood went to expand the claim and set up the Meadow Mining District. Clashes with soldiers from General Patrick Connor's California Volunteers, trouble with the Indians and lack of proper mining equipment meant that progress was slow in the next two years.
The Settlement of Panaca
Panaca was established as a farming community in May 1864 when Francis Lee led several Mormon families to Meadow Valley. They called the town Panaca and spent the next few years defending it against the Indians. Other Mormon groups settled nearby valleys, selling produce and dairy goods to prospecting miners.
At the time of settlement, Panaca was still part of Utah. In 1866 the boundary was revised, placing the town squarely inside Nevada. Nevada demanded new taxes; the Mormons refused to pay or acknowledge the new status quo. They argued back and forth until 1870 when many of the settlers simply left, abandoning their farms like so many other Mormon settlements in Nevada. Many of the greenest parts of the Silver State have at their roots the Mormons, who seemed to have had exceptional skill in taming the wilderness.
Only a few hundred settlers remained behind. They continued to supply the miners and started logging, denuding the region of much of its original forest.
Historical Markers in Panaca
Four state historical markers tell the stories of Panaca. The first is about the city itself; descendants of the early settlers still live here. The second is for the small adobe church, the oldest building in Lincoln County. This building doubled as a school and meeting place. Then there is the mercantile building, opened in 1865 and run as a co-op; it is still a store today.
The final historical marker tells the story of the natural spring that made it possible for the Mormons to survive in Panaca. The marker is tucked away near the city park; originally it had been at the springs, a mile down Fifth Street, but was moved to protect it from vandalism.
The springs are open to the public. If the traveler were so moved, she could buy fresh baked goods at the Pine Tree Bakery (which doubles as a bed and breakfast, the only lodgings in town). Then she would have an excellent place for a picnic, and a location to sit and relax by the water, away from the blazing sun.
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