Nevada Historical Marker #111
Edwards Creek Valley. Abundant grass and brush found near springs and intermittent streams in Edwards Creek Valley were important ecological areas for Native Americans. Shoshone Indians wandered seasonally to gather wild seeds and small game and settled here in winter camps. Later, Northern Paiutes also lived in the valley.In 1854, Col. John Reese discovered a route through Edwards Creek Valley that was shorter than the Humboldt trail. Established by surveyor James Simpson in 1859, it was followed by the Pony Express, the Overland Telegraph, and the overland mail stages. An 1862 Austin gold rush passageway too, the route remained as the region’s principal commercial artery until 1880.
, Eastgate, NV, United States
Nevada Historical Marker #110
Wagon Jack Shelter. The base of this cliff is the site of Wagon Jack Shelter, excavated in 1958 by Robert F. Heizer and Martin A. Baumhoff through the University of California, Berkeley. The archaeologists named the shelter in honor of Wagon Jack, a Western Shoshone Indian who may have camped here while working at the Eastgate Ranch around 1900. Wagon Jack was purportedly a rabbit boss, leader of communal jackrabbit drives, in neighboring Smith Creek Valley.A curved wall formerly extended from the cliff face and probably represented the perimeter of a prehistoric brush-covered shelter. A variety of chipped stone projectile point styles were recovered from this site reflecting a succession of prehistoric cultures. Eastgate Series arrow points were first described from these Eastgate archaeological sites. Bones of bighorn sheep dominated the animal remains accompanied by a few deer and pronghorn bones. Four stone tools or fragments of tools were associated with grinding seeds, pinenuts, and other dried foods. A radiocarbon date from the bottom of this site indicates occupation beginning around 3,150 years ago.
, Eastgate, NV, United States