Explosion at Nevada Test Site
At first glance, it might seem that Nevada is best known for its once relaxed approach to gambling legislation and mob boss connections. Well, while it’s true that the state’s neon-lit casinos do grab the most headlines, you might be surprised to learn that Nevada also has a rich cultural and geographical history. In today’s blog, we’ll be discussing just what Nevada is famous for. Whether you prefer a paranormal approach to the state, or just a plain old analysis of its most notable resident writer (for a short time, at least), then simply read on for a discussion of Nevada's best known contributions to American history.
Mark Twain
Born Samuel Clemens, Mark Twain (author of American classics such as (The Adventures of Tom Sawyer and Adventures of Huckleberry Finn) headed out to Nevada in the summer of 1861, eager to take advantage of the Nevada Silver Rush. Lucky miners could find pieces of silver worth thousands of dollars and, at the invitation of his brother, Mark Twain travelled from Missouri to Nevada. The events and characters which Mark Twain experienced and met with during this journey became the vocal point of his book, Roughing It, giving Nevada one of its most prominent claims to literary fame.
After failing as a silver prospector, Twain continued his journalism career in Virginia City. As The Mark Twain House website points out, it was in Nevada that Twain first used his now famous pen-name. Twain’s contribution to Nevada’s rich cultural history has been commemorated by the state, with schools, shops and museums named after the famous author.
Blue Diamond Road, or the “Highway of Death”
Route 160, or the Blue Diamond Road is recognised as one of the most haunted highways in the United States. Janice Oberding, in her book The Haunting of Las Vegas details several spectres who haunt the “Highway of Death”, so called because many Las Vegans believe it’s “cursed”. Oberding recalls a man who “frantically” tries to flag drivers down in the middle of the night, as well as a “glowing woman who wanders aimlessly down the middle of the road”.
Perhaps, as Oberding notes, the most disturbing story is that of an elderly couple who wander the highway in search of something they’ve lost. Should you try to help; the couple “will walk right through you and your vehicle”. The Blue Diamond Road was used by mobsters as dumping ground, perfect for getting rid of the bodies of their victims, so it’s no wonder this long stretch of desert road is so eerie to drive along at night.
Nevada Test Site
Back in the 1950’s, nuclear testing in Nevada became an object of “glamour”, with billboards heralding the beginning of the nuclear age. It was in 1951 that the Nevada Test Site, then known as the Nevada Proving Ground, was launched and the “mushroom clouds” caused by the detonations soon became tourist attractions. In total, 928 nuclear tests were carried out between 1951-1992, but it became clear in the mid-1970’s that the radiation from the site was affecting residents in Nevada and Utah. Many residents who are suffering from serious illnesses deemed as relating to the nuclear fallout have received compensation from the government.
