In the vast Nevada Territory, the influence of the Mormons left an indelible mark on the land. Seeking to create a state known as Deseret, the Mormons played a crucial role in shaping the region’s history.
During the mid-19th century, the Mormon Church’s headquarters in Salt Lake City, Utah, was a beacon of faith and determination. Led by Joseph Smith and later Brigham Young, the Mormons embarked on a westward expansion to escape religious persecution and establish their destiny on their terms.
In 1847, skilled Mormon scout Jefferson Hunt ventured along the Old Spanish Trail, which stretched from Salt Lake City to Alta California. Hunt discovered hidden pools, contradicting the belief that the desert offered little sustenance.
This revelation excited Brigham Young, who had envisioned a string of missions connecting Salt Lake City to the Pacific Coast. He imagined ships arriving, unloading precious converts who would journey overland to the Mormon capital.
Embracing Young’s vision, a group of 30 men under the leadership of William Billinghurst embarked on a challenging expedition. With 40 ox-drawn wagons and 15 cows, they traversed the rugged terrain and arrived at the refreshing pools Hunt had discovered. This route they blazed would later become known as the Mormon Trail, and the mission they established would grow into the vibrant city of Las Vegas.
The Mormons proved themselves industrious and resilient pioneers. While the federal government often looked the other way, they cultivated small farms, mined valuable resources, and established the first trade routes. They even succeeded in obtaining the first contract to carry the U.S. mail.
In their interactions with the local Paiute, the Mormons brought the first taste of the white man’s religions, even though some admitted that their efforts at conversion were motivated more by food than faith.
Thriving in their endeavors, the Mormons founded settlements throughout the territory. In the northern region, nestled south of Carson City, they established a permanent settlement called Mormon Station, later known as Genoa.
One observer, Robert Lyon, chronicled his experiences in a diary entry that shed light on the prosperity of Mormon Station. “I arrived at the station and lay resting for one day,” Lyon wrote. “I sold a good American horse to the man who kept the trading post for 30 pounds of flour and $15.00. There were two or three women at the place, and I understand they had settled there with the intention of remaining permanently.”
Lyon continued, “They had quite a band of fat cattle and cows which they had brought over from Salt Lake. Some of the fattest cows I have ever seen hung suspended from the limbs of a big pine tree. They retailed the beef to hungry emigrants for 75 cents a pound, and I have never tasted meat that was so sweet.”
Mormon Station boasted various establishments that catered to the needs of its inhabitants and passing travelers.
“There was one store where they kept for sale flour, beans, tea, coffee, sugar, shirts, etc.,” Lyon added. “There was also a grocery where they sold whiskey, bread, cigars, and tobacco.”
Mormon Station had firmly established itself as a thriving community.
Inspired by their faith and a shared vision, the Mormons convened in a Salt Lake convention on March 18, 1849, to create a territorial government. They aimed to establish a brand new state, Deseret.
The magnitude of their aspiration was awe-inspiring. Deseret encompassed the vast expanse of land that today comprises Utah, Nevada, Arizona, parts of Colorado, Oregon, Wyoming, and even sections of California. Despite the absence of records confirming consultation with the Mexican government, the Mormons viewed establishing a solid foothold in the West as vital to their cause.
Yet, the United States government harbored reservations about the Mormon bid for statehood. Conflicts had already arisen between Mormon leader Brigham Young and President James Buchanan.
When news of the proposed state of Deseret reached Washington, D.C., the U.S. Congress acted swiftly. They were unwilling to allow a religious group to assume control of so much of the North American continent.
Six months later, on September 9, Congress created the Utah Territory, which bordered California to the west, Oregon to the north, the Rockies to the east, and the 37th parallel to the south. The Mormons’ aspirations for statehood were all but dashed.
Fearing potential military repercussions, Brigham Young ordered his followers to return to Salt Lake City and prepare for armed confrontation. Reluctantly, the Mormon pioneers withdrew, leaving behind the fruits of their labor and sacrifice.
In the subsequent years, the discovery of silver and the intervention of President Abraham Lincoln led to the creation of the state of Nevada, carved out of the Utah Territory. The region’s population of around 2,000 residents finally attained a distinct identity.
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