9 Incredible, Almost Unbelievable Facts about Nevada
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Natalie Faulk
Author
Say “Nevada” and the first thing that comes to most people’s minds is gambling. Granted, Nevada is known for its gambling throughout the state, but it also has a rich history steeped in the mining industry and the westward expansion of the United States. Nevada officially became a state on 31 October 1864 (and is the nation’s seventh largest), occupies 110,572 square miles, and is home to nearly 2.8 million people; the majority living in Las Vegas, Reno, and the state’s capital Carson City. However, Nevada is chock full of additional, oftentimes incredible facts many people don’t know.
These fossils hailed from now extinct marine reptiles that swam in the oceans which covered central Nevada during the Triassic period. These fossils range in size from two to over 50 feet.
By 1882, the lode had produced over $300 million in silver and gold ore. Today, Nevada is the fourth-largest gold producer in the world behind China, Australia and South Africa. Today, Nevada supplies 75 percent of all gold mined in the United States.
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However, also like Prohibition, people found ways to break the law by setting up shop in more discreet places. Gambling was reinstated on 19 March 1931, ironically, during the Great Depression.
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Interestingly, however, in 1974, astronauts on board Skylab inadvertently photographed the site. These images created a national security debate regarding whether or not to disclose its existence. In fact, Area 51 was the only place the CIA expressly banned from being photographed.
Land management is divided among the Bureau of Land Management, Bureau of Indian Affairs, Bureau of Reclamation, Department of Defense, Department of Energy, U.S. Forest Service, U.S. Fish and Wildlife Services, and National Park Service.
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The highest point in the state is Boundary Peak at a whopping 13,145 feet. In fact, the name Nevada is derived from the Spanish "covered in snow."
This amount of concrete can construct a 3,000-mile, full-sized, two-lane highway spanning the entire United States.
St. Augustine's was constructed in 1866; the Old Methodist Church was also built in 1866; and St. George's Episcopal Church was constructed in 1878. St. George's is still used today and of particular note is that the entrance to the bell tower is in a bathroom. Bell ringers must stand atop a toilet to ring the 900-pound bell fashioned with silver mined from the state.
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Between Ely and Fernley, there are very few stops on this 287-mile stretch.
The Nevada State Constitution was transmitted from Carson City to Washington, D.C.
How many of these unusual facts were you aware of? Do you have any other interesting tidbits about Nevada? Please share them in the comments below.
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