Had anyone ever told them about the bluebirds of Mountain Springs? High in the Spring Mountains, where Highway 160 snakes between Las Vegas and Pahrump, sits Mountain Springs. This unassuming hamlet holds a rich history. It was a vital stop on the Old Spanish Trail. Imagine, in 1830, Antonio Armijo’s caravan, laden with goods, cresting the pass. They found relief at Mountain Springs. The clear water quenched their thirst. The meadows provided lush grazing for their weary animals. Two days’ hard travel from Las Vegas, with a stopover at Cottonwood Springs (now Blue Diamond), brought them to this haven. An early start was crucial to reach the pass before nightfall. Mountain Springs wasn’t always known by that name. Early travelers often called it Paiute Springs. But the current name has stuck for over a century. John C. Frémont, in 1844, rediscovered this route, now part of the Fremont Cutoff. He noted the old village ruins, the sparse nut pines and cedars, and the small spring his men dug out to water their animals. Years later, in 1856, Englishman William Chandless, traveling the Mormon Road, marveled at the colorful cliffs on the approach to Mountain Springs. He described the area as a “pretty spot, among pine, and cedar-wood.” A small, bright blue bird, a harbinger of warmer climes, hopped around their campfire, singing merrily. He found no snow at Mountain Springs. But he had seen some at Cottonwood Creek, fifteen miles back, a reminder of the varied terrain travelers faced. Today, Mountain Springs still offers respite to travelers. A firehouse and a saloon stand as testaments to its enduring presence. The echoes of those who traversed this pass, from traders to emigrants, still linger in the mountain air. As you continue your journey, remember the bluebirds and the springs. Remember the stories of Mountain Springs, a small place with a big history.
Центральный дом работников искусств
Step through the grand wooden doors of the Central House of the Workers of Art, and you’ll be transported to