Timeline

1800-10-31 b. Peter Lassen

1843-12-30 "On both sides, the mountains showed often stupendous and curious-looking rocks, which at several places so narrowed the valley, that scarcely a pass was left for the camp. It was a singular place to travel through-shut up in the earth, a sort of chasm, the little strip of grass under our feet, the rough walls of bare rock on either hand, and the narrow strip of sky above. The grass to-night was abundant, and we encamped in high spirits." -- John C. Fremont

1844-01-10 John C. Fremont named Pyramid Lake

1848-02-02 The Treaty of Guadalupe Hidalgo

1849-08-16 "We started about six o'clock, with anxious hearts and sad forebodings on our perilous journey . . . As I walked on slowly and with effort, I encountered a great many animals, perishing for want of food and water, on the desert plain. Some would be gasping for breath, others unable to stand, would issue low moans as I came up . . . my sympathies were excited at their sufferings, yet, instead of affording them aid, I was a subject for relief myself . . . after covering nearly forty hours without food or water . . .we found this to be an oasis in the desert. A large hot spring [Black Rock Spring] . . . but we found the grass nearly consumed, and our cattle could barely pick enough to sustain life. (Alonzo Delano, August 16-17, 1849)

1849-09-25 "The road terminated as it were, at the edge of the very apex of this hill, and I looked down . . . the declevity and its base, retained vestiges of unfortunate traveling in the shape of broken wagons, wheels, hubs, tires, axels, and 3 dead oxen. (Goldsborough Bruff, September 25, 1849)

1859-04-26 d. Peter Lassen

1860-05-12 First Battle of Pyramid Lake http://dmla.clan.lib.nv.us/DOCS/shpo/markers/mark_148.htm Northern Paiute warriors, fighting to retain their way of life, decisively defeated a volunteer army from Virginia City and nearby settlements. The battle and consequent white retreat began with a skillful ambush north of Nixon and continued along the plateau on the opposite side of the Truckee River almost to the present site of Wadsworth.

1860-06-12 Second Battle of Pyramid Lake http://dmla.clan.lib.nv.us/DOCS/shpo/markers/mark_148.htm a strong force of volunteers and regular U.S. Army troops engaged the Indians in battle along the tableland and mountainside. Several hundred braves, attempting a delaying action to allow their women, children and elders to escape, fought with such courage and strategy that the superior Caucasian forces were held back during the day until the Indians withdrew. Paiute war leader Numaga (Young Winnemucca), described as a "superior man of any race," desired only peace for his people.

2000-12-21 President Clinton signed The Black Rock Desert - High Rock Canyon Emigrant Trail National Conservation Area Act of 2000, which established 797,000 acres as a NCA and about 75,000 acres as wilderness.