The Great Basin, a vast expanse of interior drainage spanning portions of several western states, holds a rich and complex history. From ancient Paleo-Indian settlements to modern-day preservation efforts, the region’s story is etched in its landscapes, its cultural sites, and the lives of the people who have called it home. This Great Basin Region Timeline provides a chronological overview of key events that have shaped this unique area.
Paleo-Indian Period:
The earliest evidence of human presence in the Great Basin dates back to the Paleo-Indian Period. Archaeological sites reveal that small, nomadic hunting groups inhabited the region, following herds of megafauna such as mammoths, bison, camels, and horses. These early inhabitants adapted to the challenging environment, developing hunting techniques and utilizing available resources for survival. Their presence marks the initial chapter in the long history of human interaction with the Great Basin.
Great Basin Desert Archaic Period:
Following the Paleo-Indian Period, the Great Basin Desert Archaic Period saw the development of distinct cultural adaptations to the arid environment. Archaeological finds from this era include milling stones, suggesting a shift towards increased reliance on plant resources. This period witnessed the evolution of specialized tools and techniques for gathering and processing seeds, roots, and other edible plants, reflecting a growing understanding of the Great Basin’s ecological nuances.
Circa 3000 BC:
The oldest bristlecone pine trees in the Great Basin National Park begin their long lives. These ancient trees, some of the oldest living organisms on Earth, serve as living records of environmental change, providing invaluable insights into past climates and ecological conditions within the Great Basin. Their resilience and longevity are testaments to the enduring nature of life in this challenging environment.
Circa 400 AD – 1300 AD:
The Fremont Culture emerged, flourished, and eventually faded from the Great Basin landscape. This distinctive culture left behind well-preserved archaeological sites that provide evidence of both agricultural activity and traditional hunting and gathering practices. Fremont settlements, often located near reliable water sources, demonstrate sophisticated irrigation techniques and architectural styles adapted to the region’s climate. Pottery shards, rock art, and other artifacts offer glimpses into their daily lives, beliefs, and social structures.
Circa 1000 AD:
Numic-speaking peoples, ancestors of the present-day Western Shoshone and the Southern and Northern Paiute peoples, entered the Great Basin. This migration marked a significant shift in the region’s cultural landscape, as these groups brought with them new languages, customs, and ways of life. Their adaptation to the Great Basin’s environment led to the development of distinct tribal identities and a deep connection to the land.
1776:
The Escalante-Dominguez party, a Spanish expedition seeking a route to Monterey, California, passed through the Pahvant Valley near present-day Delta, Utah. This marked one of the earliest documented European explorations of the Great Basin, providing valuable geographical information and initiating contact with the region’s indigenous populations.
1826 & 1827:
Jedediah S. Smith, a fur trapper and explorer, led expeditions across the Great Basin in search of beaver pelts. In 1826, his party traversed the region through present-day Millard County, Utah, on their way to California. In the summer of 1827, they returned, charting a more direct route across Nevada, passing through the White River, Spring, and Snake valleys. Smith’s explorations contributed significantly to the mapping and understanding of the Great Basin’s geography and resources.
1843-1844:
U.S. Army Captain John C. Fremont led an expedition that encircled the Great Basin. His detailed reports and maps provided the first comprehensive scientific description of the region, characterizing it as an internally draining basin, a "truly a great basin." Fremont’s documentation revealed the region’s unique geological features, climate, and potential resources, sparking interest and attracting further exploration and settlement. He described the area as a land of "contents almost unknown."
1852:
Howard Egan became the first to bring livestock into the Snake Range, marking the beginning of large-scale grazing activities that would significantly impact the region’s ecology.
1851:
Governor Brigham Young designated Fillmore as the capital of the Utah Territory, reflecting the strategic importance of this location within the broader region.
1852:
Construction of the Fillmore Statehouse began.
1853:
Eight members of an exploration team headed by Captain John W. Gunnison were killed at the Gunnison Massacre site west of Delta, Utah. This tragic event highlighted the growing tensions between settlers and indigenous populations in the region.
1854:
Lieutenant Colonel Edward J. Steptoe investigated the Gunnison massacre and, in a controversial move, named Mt. Wheeler "Jefferson Davis Peak," a name that was later changed.
1854-1858:
Martial law was declared at the Fillmore Fort due to escalating conflicts with Native American tribes, a period known as the Walker War.
1855:
The first wing of the Fillmore Statehouse was completed, serving as the territorial capital.
1859:
Brigham Young dispatched a group of Mormon elders to establish a mission and cultivate crops in "Grease Wood Valley" (present-day Snake Valley near Garrison, Utah). Ezra Granger Williams was the first member of the party to ascend to the summit of Mt. Wheeler.
1856:
The Utah capitol was moved from Fillmore back to Salt Lake City.
1859:
The White Mountain Expedition explored the Snake Range (including Wheeler Peak) and other mountain ranges, subsequently establishing a mission near present-day Panaca, Nevada.
1859:
Captain James H. Simpson passed through White Pine County, Nevada, near what would become Schellbourne station. He referred to Mt. Wheeler as "Union Peak."
1860:
An Overland Stage and Mail station was constructed at Schellbourne, providing vital transportation and communication links across the vast distances of the Great Basin.
1859:
The Virginia City silver rush began, drawing prospectors and settlers to the western edge of the Great Basin and transforming the region’s economy.
1860:
Thomas Robinson discovered ore that would lead to the establishment of the Robinson Mining District, contributing to the region’s burgeoning mining industry.
1860:
The Wildens established Fort Willden at Cove Creek, providing shelter and security for early settlers.
1860:
The Pony Express began utilizing Schellbourne Station, further enhancing communication across the region.
1861:
The Pony Express service was terminated due to the completion of the transcontinental telegraph line.
1861:
The first settlers arrived in Snake Valley, initiating the agricultural development of this fertile region.
1861:
The telegraph line was routed through Schellbourne Station, revolutionizing communication and connecting the Great Basin to the rest of the nation.
1863:
A treaty between the U.S. government and the Goshute Shoshone Indians defined the boundaries of the Goshute Reservation.
1863:
The Wildens abandoned Fort Willden at Cove Creek.
1864:
Fort Deseret was constructed to provide additional protection for settlers in the region.
1866:
The Deseret Telegraph established an office at the abandoned Fort Willden.
1867:
Cove Fort settlers arrived at Cove Creek.
1869:
Lieutenant George M. Wheeler began a comprehensive survey of the southwest, commencing with Mt. Wheeler, which was subsequently named in his honor.
1869:
Mineral City (Lane City) was established, reflecting the region’s growing mining industry.
1869:
Absolom S. Lehman and Olive S. Lehman settled on a 600-acre ranch near Lehman Creek, establishing a homestead that would eventually become the gateway to Lehman Caves.
1870:
The Aurum Mining District (silver) was established east of Schellbourne.
1870:
Leamington, Utah, was settled.
1872:
Gold-bearing quartz rock belt was discovered in the Osceola District.
1873:
Absolom Lehman’s younger brother, Benjamin S. Lehman, and his wife Mary, established a ranch at what is now Baker, Nevada.
1878:
Naturalist John Muir explored Nevada and climbed Mt. Wheeler, documenting the region’s natural beauty and ecological significance.
Circa 1885:
It is believed that Absolom S. Lehman discovered and explored Lehman Caves around this time.
1885:
The U.S. Coast and Geodetic Survey established a heliotrope station on Mt. Wheeler for surveying purposes.
1886:
The Aurum Mining District, Nevada, was abandoned.
1887:
The White Pine County seat was moved from Hamilton to Ely, Nevada.
1892:
The town of Baker, Nevada, was established.
1898:
The town of Delta, Utah, was settled.
1908:
Nevada Consolidated Copper Co. commenced underground mining operations in the Robinson District.
1908:
The first trains arrived in Ely, Nevada, connecting the region to the national rail network.
1909:
Construction of the White Pine County Courthouse was completed.
1906:
Theodore Roosevelt designated the Nevada National Forest, encompassing land that now forms the Great Basin National Park, recognizing the importance of preserving the region’s natural resources.
1919:
The Veteran underground mine in the Robinson District closed.
1921:
The Millard County Courthouse was erected.
1922:
President Warren G. Harding issued a presidential proclamation establishing Lehman Caves National Monument, protecting this unique geological feature.
1924:
The American Indian Citizenship Act granted full U.S. citizenship to America’s indigenous peoples.
1930:
The Daughters of the Utah Pioneers reopened the Territorial Statehouse in Fillmore, Utah, as a museum, preserving its historical significance.
1934:
The Ely Shoshone Indian Reservation was created.
1937:
The Duckwater Indian Reservation was created.
1942-1945:
The Topaz Relocation Camp near Delta, Utah, held more than 8,300 Japanese-Americans behind barbed wire "for their own safety" during World War II.
1951:
The Utah State Legislature returned to the Fillmore Territorial Statehouse for one session to commemorate the centennial.
1958:
Kennecott Copper Corporation acquired full ownership of Robinson District mining operations.
1961:
Fort Ruby received designation from the Department of the Interior as a National Historic Landmark.
1975:
The Indian Self-determination and Education Assistance Act began the evolution of tribal self-governance.
1978:
Kennecott Copper Corporation ceased operations in White Pine County.
1986:
President Ronald Reagan signed the Great Basin National Park Act, establishing the park and safeguarding its diverse ecosystems and historical resources. This Great Basin Region Timeline marks a pivotal moment.
1986:
Magma Nevada Mining, Co. purchased the Robinson District mining operations from Kennecott Copper.
1996:
BHP Billiton merged with Magma Nevada Mining, Co. to become the new owners of the Robinson District mining operations.
1999:
BHP Billiton ceased operations in the Robinson Mining District.
2000:
The Ely Renaissance Society formed in Ely, Nevada, initiating revitalization efforts in the downtown area through murals, sculptures, and historic renovation projects.
2008:
The Great Basin Visitor Center was completed near the town of Baker, NV, serving as an interpretive hub for the entire Great Basin region.
2008:
The Ely Renaissance Society purchased the Geraghty Property near downtown Ely, NV, commencing the renovation of the area now known as "Renaissance Village."
2008:
The Nevada Northern Railway – East Ely Yards received designation from the Department of the Interior as a National Historic Landmark.
2009:
The Nevada Northern Railway celebrated the 100th anniversary of the railroad reaching Ely.
2010:
Highway 50 from Millard County, Utah, through White Pine County, Nevada, received national designation as the Great Basin National Heritage Route.
2012:
The Central Utah Relocation Center (Topaz) received designation from the Department of the Interior as a National Historic Landmark. This Great Basin Region Timeline details a history of preservation.
This Great Basin Region Timeline illustrates the dynamic interplay of human activity and natural processes that have shaped this remarkable region. From the ancient inhabitants who adapted to its arid conditions to the modern-day efforts to preserve its unique landscapes and cultural heritage, the Great Basin continues to be a place of enduring significance.