Existing comment:
Valley of Fire: From Public Domain to Public Park:
Automobile touring was a favorite American pastime by early in the 20th century. The Arrowhead Trail through the Valley of Fire, bypassed in the 1920s by the new US Highway 91, remained in use as a scenic route to the fascinating Lost City archeological sites and the theatrical pageants staged to attract tourists to them.
The Valley of Fire originally was included in land set aside by the federal government for the Boulder Dam Project (Hoover Dam construction). In 1931, at Nevada's request, the park site was given to the state to be "set apart for all times for state park and recreational purposes, to be known as Boulder dam-Valley of fire state park." In 1935, the long-held dream of Governor James G. Scrugham and southern Nevada residents was fulfilled when the site was named by the legislature as one of four areas in Nevada's first State Park System.
Chronology of the Park:
1848-1931: Federal Lands
1931-1935: State Lands, Federal Help
1935-1941: "Boulder Dam-Valley of Fire State Park"
1941-1954: Valley of Fire -- For Sale or Trade
1954-1956: Land Exchange Deplored
1956-Now: Valley of Fire State Park Restored
Future: Proposed Acquisitions
Federal Lands: 1848-1931:
The region today called the American Southwest came into the United States in 1838, as part of the treaty ending the War with Mexico. When this area was added to Nevada in 1864, no one claimed this land and the federal government kept control. In 1931, Nevada received from the United States 8,782 acres of this spectacular scenery, soon to become Nevada's first state part.
State Lands, Federal Dollars 1931-1935: Civilian Conservation Corps:
In 1931, Nevada took title to the Valley of Fire, but had little money to spend on developing tourist facilities. The federal Civilian Conservation Corps (CCC) pushed by former governor now-Congressman James G Scrugham, came to the rescue. A new road and campground were built in the winter of 1933-34, and a large dam constructed around a natural tank to assure ample water for the traveling public.
First Nevada State Park: 1935-1941:
"Boulder Dam-Valley of Fire" was the largest of the four state parks set aside in 1935. Excited area citizens also made it Nevada's first state park when, on Easter Sunday 1934, a year before Nevada established a state park system, they "jumped the gun" and held a dedication ceremony to celebrate completion of the new road and campground in "Boulder Dam State Park."
Valley of Fire: For Sale on Trade: 1941-1954:
Nevada's new state park system, the dream of the 'teens and twenties, fell victim in the Great Depression of the thirties. The state had no funds for staff; the campgrounds were neglected and virtually abandoned. The State Park Commission even proposed to give the land back to the federal government.
In 1941, special interests sponsored state legislation to allow Valley of Fire acreage to be claimed by individuals who could then exchange the land for "more desirable" federal property in Las Vegas Valley, where real estate values were higher. By 1955, of the original 8752-acre park, 2000 acres had been lost, and 5000 additional acres had been filed on. Only 1752 acres remained untouched.
Valley of Fire on the Silver Screen:
In the 1920s, famed Hollywood producer Hal Roach discovered the Valley of Fire made a fine background for his westerns. Between 1923 and 1940, Roach filmed five movies here. Horses starred in four of them, while the fifth, "One Million BC," headlined Victor Mature, Lon Chaney Jr, and Carole Landis. More recent movies made by other studios include "Ballad of Cable Hague," "Stalking Moon," "Slaughter Alley," and "Electric Horseman." "The Professionals" constructed a Mexican hacienda and built the original road to White Domes while filming in the park in 1965. Valley of Fire's dramatic scenery provides a setting for numerous commercials as well.
Land Exchange Deplored: 1954-1956: Park Restored:
After World War II, interest in state parks revived. In 1955, local civic leaders pushed for the withdrawal of all land claims in Valley of Fire, and requested the return of the 2000 acres already lost. The state reorganized its park system, and significantly increased its budget to meet the park system goals first set in 1935:
... acquire, protect, develop, and interpret a well-balanced system of areas of outstanding scenic, recreational, scientific and historical importance for the inspiration, use and enjoyment of the people of the state of Nevada and... such areas shall be held in trust as irreplaceable portions of Nevada's natural and historic heritage.
Valley of Fire State Park: 1956 to Now:
Permanent Parklands for the People of Nevada:
Today, the system of Nevada State Parks includes 23 parks totalling 142,000 acres, and served 2.6 million people annually. Valley of Fire State Park now covers 45,000 acres, and is used by more than 312,000 people a year who stat in fifty campsites of picnic at five different day use areas in the park. By the year 2000, the road into White Domes will be reconstructed, restoring to motorists access to this remote area of striking natural beauty.
Park Management:
Park System policies today are very protective. Public safety and resource conservation are important priorities.
Difficult, too, is balancing public demand for development with the needs of wildlife, protecting archeological and historical sites, and serving the visitor who prefers primitive camping.
Resolution of disagreements about resources is a major issue in modern park administration. Conflicts arise when commercial interests propose oil or mineral extraction, or when people want to drive vehicles off roads, affecting the soils, plants, and animals in the park. Park policies must address these and other uses which have damaging effects on the land, or interfere with the rights of others to enjoy the beauty, open space, and silence of this unique place.
Motoring the Arrowhead Trail:
The Automobile Club of Southern California and the Southern Nevada Auto Club joined local residents in promoting construction of a road through the Valley of Fire as a segment of a highway system linking Salt Lake City and southern California.
Grazing:
Lack of surface water made farming here out of the question. Grazing was possible only seasonally. Today cattle grazing here when the land will support this use.
Mining Prospects:
Prospectors combed the area for valuable minerals, but the only commercially important deposits here are silica sand, borax, salt, gypsum, and magnesite. Prehistoric Indians made pendants from small pieces of gypsum. Magnesite was mined by Indians and others for use in making clay for pottery. When the park was set aside in 1935, active mineral location was no longer permitted, but some mining claims patented prior to that date are operated in or near the park.
This park is now a cornerstone of the state's recreation system, visited by hundreds of thousands of people seeking the outdoor experience that only Nevada's Valley of Fire can offer. The State Park System holds this area in trust for all people as "irreplaceable portions of Nevada's natural and historical heritage." Please help us to keep it always in the beautiful natural state you enjoy today.
What is the future of this arid land?
State Park administrators have authority to manage the Valley of Fire, but even here federal law regarding mineral rights must be accommodated. Outside the boundaries of the park, most of the desert is public domain land, open to multiple uses managed by several federal agencies.
Actually it is the people of the United States who own these millions of acres of arid lands, seemingly empty but in fact filled with fascinating natural wonders, and intriguing history, incredible archeological and historical sites, and remarkable plants and animals.
We ourselves determine the future of this and other desert lands. We must see that these extraordinary places are managed well and responsibly by Congress and the state legislatures. These exhibits are offered to help us learn how rich are these lands labelled :desert," to help us make the best possible decisions about them. |