Winnemucca Lake: Difference between revisions

From Friends of the Black Rock High Rock Wiki
Jump to navigation Jump to search
(Chinese fishing camp)
m (Text replacement - "http://geonames.usgs.gov/pls/gnispublic/f?p=gnispq:3:::NO::P3_FID:" to "https://edits.nationalmap.gov/apps/gaz-domestic/public/summary/")
(44 intermediate revisions by the same user not shown)
Line 1: Line 1:
Winnemucca Lake is dry lake located on Highway 447 north of [[Nixon]] and south of [[Empire]].  To the west is [[Pyramid Lake]].
Winnemucca Lake is dry lake located on Highway 447 north of [[Nixon]] and south of [[Empire]].  To the west is [[Pyramid Lake]].


[https://encrypted.google.com/books?id=rJA8AAAAIAAJ&lpg=PA52&ots=jm0c0kBPGX&dq=Goodwin%20%22Salt%20Marsh%22%20nevada&pg=PA21#v=onepage&q=winnemucca%20lake&f=false General history and resources of Washoe County, Nevada, published under the auspices of the Nevada Educational Association]." (1888):
Winnemucca Lake is the site of the oldest petroglyphs in North America.  See the [https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Winnemucca_Lake Winnemucca Lake Wikipedia article] for details. 
 
This page contains links to original materials about the area.
 
[[Image:PyramidAndWinnemuccaLakesMapRussell1885.jpg|thumb|Pyramid and Winnemucca Lakes, (Russell 1885).]]
 
=== Overview ===
N.A. Hummel, [https://encrypted.google.com/books?id=rJA8AAAAIAAJ&lpg=PA52&ots=jm0c0kBPGX&dq=Goodwin%20%22Salt%20Marsh%22%20nevada&pg=PA21#v=onepage&q=winnemucca%20lake&f=false General history and resources of Washoe County, Nevada, published under the auspices of the Nevada Educational Association]." [https://archive.org/details/generalhistorya00assogoog archive.org](1888):
* p. 3:"Sulphur is found on the shore of Winnemucca Lake but as this bed is some 70 miles from railroad it will probably remain undisturbed some years although experts pronounce it of superior quality. Some months ago a San Francisco corporation discussed the feasibility marketing it and went so far as to contract 20,000 tons annually. The company was denied the privilege of hauling over the Indian Reservation road and bridge and we opine that is reason nothing further has been done."
* p. 3:"Sulphur is found on the shore of Winnemucca Lake but as this bed is some 70 miles from railroad it will probably remain undisturbed some years although experts pronounce it of superior quality. Some months ago a San Francisco corporation discussed the feasibility marketing it and went so far as to contract 20,000 tons annually. The company was denied the privilege of hauling over the Indian Reservation road and bridge and we opine that is reason nothing further has been done."
* p 21: "WINNEMUCCA LAKE Lying parallel to Pyramid Lake and a little to the east of it is Winnemucca Lake the largest body of water in the State extending north and south sixty miles and north and south twelve miles. With [[Pyramid Lake]] it shares the water of the Truckee River The surrounding mountains are low and regular yet their geology is interesting and their sides are used as stock ranges. Winnemucca Lake is the home of the silver trout a fish not to be excelled the world over for beauty. When taken out of the water he looks like the highest perfection of the silversmith's art. Winnemucca Lake will one day be a famous resort as the piscatorial sport to be had here cannot be beaten. Felix McCormack the host here took us out on the lake not long ago and with trout as bait caught eighteen two pound fish in ten minutes with a single line five feet in length. To understand this record the reader must remember that minnow is the regulation bait McCormack has a fast team plenty of fishing tackle and a dozen good boats."  
* p 21: "WINNEMUCCA LAKE Lying parallel to Pyramid Lake and a little to the east of it is Winnemucca Lake the largest body of water in the State extending north and south sixty miles and north and south twelve miles. With [[Pyramid Lake]] it shares the water of the Truckee River The surrounding mountains are low and regular yet their geology is interesting and their sides are used as stock ranges. Winnemucca Lake is the home of the silver trout a fish not to be excelled the world over for beauty. When taken out of the water he looks like the highest perfection of the silversmith's art. Winnemucca Lake will one day be a famous resort as the piscatorial sport to be had here cannot be beaten. Felix McCormack the host here took us out on the lake not long ago and with trout as bait caught eighteen two pound fish in ten minutes with a single line five feet in length. To understand this record the reader must remember that minnow is the regulation bait McCormack has a fast team plenty of fishing tackle and a dozen good boats."  
Line 11: Line 18:
=== Place Name ===
=== Place Name ===
* [https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Winnemucca_Lake Wikipedia]
* [https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Winnemucca_Lake Wikipedia]
* [http://geonames.usgs.gov/pls/gnispublic/f?p=gnispq:3:::NO::P3_FID:847551 GNIS]
* [https://edits.nationalmap.gov/apps/gaz-domestic/public/summary/847551 GNIS]
** Citation: "U.S. Geological Survey. Geographic Names Phase I data compilation (1976-1981). 31-Dec-1981. Primarily from U.S. Geological Survey 1:24,000-scale topographic maps (or 1:25K, Puerto Rico 1:20K) and from U.S. Board on Geographic Names files. In some instances, from 1:62,500 scale or 1:250,000 scale maps."
** Citation: "U.S. Geological Survey. Geographic Names Phase I data compilation (1976-1981). 31-Dec-1981. Primarily from U.S. Geological Survey 1:24,000-scale topographic maps (or 1:25K, Puerto Rico 1:20K) and from U.S. Board on Geographic Names files. In some instances, from 1:62,500 scale or 1:250,000 scale maps."
** Alternate Name: "Mud Lake": "'Map of an Exploring Expedition to the Rocky Mountains in the Year 1842 - Oregon and Northern California in the years 1843-44,' Baltimore, MD: no publication date, no scale given. Litho by E. Weber & Co. Prepared by Brevet Capt. J.C. Fremont of the Corps of Topographical Engineers under the control of Col. J.J. Abert, Chief of the Topographical Bureau."
** Alternate Name: "Mud Lake": "'Map of an Exploring Expedition to the Rocky Mountains in the Year 1842 - Oregon and Northern California in the years 1843-44,' Baltimore, MD: no publication date, no scale given. Litho by E. Weber & Co. Prepared by Brevet Capt. J.C. Fremont of the Corps of Topographical Engineers under the control of Col. J.J. Abert, Chief of the Topographical Bureau."
** Alternate Name: "Winnamuck Lake": "'Map of the Western Division of the Fort Kearney South Pass and Honey Lake Road, Western Wagon Roads,' Dept. of the Interior: 1857, scale 1:720,000 (1 inch=12 miles). Surveyed under the direction of John Kirk, Supt., by E. A. Bishop, Engineer."
** Alternate Name: "Winnamuck Lake": "'[https://www.davidrumsey.com/luna/servlet/detail/RUMSEY~8~1~204708~3002259 Map of the Western Division of the Fort Kearney South Pass and Honey Lake Road, Western Wagon Roads],' Dept. of the Interior: 1857, scale 1:720,000 (1 inch=12 miles). Surveyed under the direction of John Kirk, Supt., by E. A. Bishop, Engineer."
* [https://www.davidrumsey.com/luna/servlet/detail/RUMSEY~8~1~1260~110042:DeGroot-s-Map-Of-Nevada-Territory-E DeGroot's Map of Nevada Territory (1863)] (Rumsey) shows Winnemucca Lake
* [[Great Trans-continental Railroad Guide]] (1870)  Mentions Winnemucca Lake.
* [http://contentdm.library.unr.edu/u?/hmaps,1593 Granite Range (1894, Rp. 1923)] (UNR) shows Winnemucca Lake.
* [http://contentdm.library.unr.edu/u?/hmaps,1593 Granite Range (1894, Rp. 1923)] (UNR) shows Winnemucca Lake.
* [http://contentdm.library.unr.edu/cdm/ref/collection/hmaps/id/1618 Wadsworth (1894, Rp. 1942)] (UNR) shows Winnemucca Lake and [[Gibson]] at the south end of the lake.


=== Geology ===
=== Geology ===
* "[http://books.google.com/books?id=EdjUAAAAMAAJ&dq=Popular%20Science%20winnemucca&pg=PA139#v=onepage&q=Popular%20Science%20winnemucca&f=false Popular Science]," 1881, p 139: "Sir J. H. Lefroy in the Geographical Section devoted his address to the advances made in geographical research in North America showing that the great increase of our knowledge of this region is due to railways and the various State surveys. Among the interesting facts mentioned are the rise in the level of some American lakes and the depths to which the ground is permanently frozen in the northern part of British North America.Though before 1866 the surface Salt Lake had been falling since that it has risen eleven feet. Pyramid Lake risen nine feet and Lake Winnemucca two feet. No theory of the cause advanced."
* "[http://books.google.com/books?id=EdjUAAAAMAAJ&dq=Popular%20Science%20winnemucca&pg=PA139#v=onepage&q=Popular%20Science%20winnemucca&f=false Popular Science]," 1881, p 139: "Sir J. H. Lefroy in the Geographical Section devoted his address to the advances made in geographical research in North America showing that the great increase of our knowledge of this region is due to railways and the various State surveys. Among the interesting facts mentioned are the rise in the level of some American lakes and the depths to which the ground is permanently frozen in the northern part of British North America.Though before 1866 the surface Salt Lake had been falling since that it has risen eleven feet. Pyramid Lake risen nine feet and Lake Winnemucca two feet. No theory of the cause advanced."
** [http://books.google.com/books?id=Pl88AQAAIAAJ&lpg=PA176&ots=aZxKn0urOo&dq=J%20H%20Lefroy%20WInnemucca%20Lake&pg=PA176#v=onepage&q=J%20H%20Lefroy%20WInnemucca%20Lake&f=false The Academy, Volume 18], 1880.  A bit more from Lefroy.
** [http://books.google.com/books?id=Pl88AQAAIAAJ&lpg=PA176&ots=aZxKn0urOo&dq=J%20H%20Lefroy%20WInnemucca%20Lake&pg=PA176#v=onepage&q=J%20H%20Lefroy%20WInnemucca%20Lake&f=false The Academy, Volume 18], 1880.  A bit more from Lefroy.
* "[http://books.google.com/books?id=0Rg3AQAAMAAJ&lpg=PA3169&ots=_EfdQCYF4m&dq=%22WInnemucca%20Lake%22%201880&pg=PA3169#v=onepage&q=%22WInnemucca%20Lake%22%201880&f=false The Encyclopaedia Britannica]," 1898, p. 3169. "WINNEMUCCA LAKE in western Nevada lying in a desert without a visible outlet 27 miles long from north to south 4 miles wide from 50 to 57 feet deep, altitude 3,875 feet. It is supplied on the south by the eastern division of the Truckee River and receives part of the surplus waters of Lake Tahoe. It occupies the extreme southwest strip of Humboldt County and lying over into Washoe County its southernmost end lying in Churchill County. It lies between the Truckee range on the east and the Lake range on the west between it and Pyramid Lake which receives the western division of the Truckee River.
* George Hardman and Cruz Venstrom, "A 100-year record of the Truckee River runoff estimated from changes in levels and volumes of Pyramid and Winnemucca Lakes", Transactions of the American Geophysical Union p74, v22 1941.  Frock (below) states "The Overland Road Guide, published about 1850, says thatWinnemucca Lake appears to be a small pond." and cites Hardman and Venstrom, p74.  The [http://books.google.com/books?ei=ZJPnU9KOKeeg8QHu8YDQBA&id=1vcbAAAAMAAJ&dq=%22Overland+Road+Guide%22&focus=searchwithinvolume&q=overland Google excerpt] cites "J. Claude Jones, Overland road map, Huntington Library 1858".  Note the difference in dates (1850 vs 1858.)
* Eugene M Hattori, Donald R Tuohy, "[http://books.google.com/books?id=bvUkAQAAIAAJ&lpg=PA32&ots=V4q2DimwfG&dq=%22winnemucca%20lake%22%20chinese&pg=PA31#v=onepage&q=%22winnemucca%20lake%22%20chinese&f=false  Prehistoric Human Occupation and Changing Lake Levels at Pyramid and Winnemucca Lakes Nevada,]" Geological Survey Circular, Volume 1119 of Circular, 1996.  Winnemucca Lake reached its maximum depth of 26m in about 1880.  At around that time, there was a Chinese fishing camp on the western shore.
* Eugene M Hattori, Donald R Tuohy, "[http://books.google.com/books?id=bvUkAQAAIAAJ&lpg=PA32&ots=V4q2DimwfG&dq=%22winnemucca%20lake%22%20chinese&pg=PA31#v=onepage&q=%22winnemucca%20lake%22%20chinese&f=false  Prehistoric Human Occupation and Changing Lake Levels at Pyramid and Winnemucca Lakes Nevada,]" Geological Survey Circular, Volume 1119 of Circular, 1996.  Winnemucca Lake reached its maximum depth of 26m in about 1880.  At around that time, there was a Chinese fishing camp on the western shore.
* "[http://books.google.com/books?id=0Rg3AQAAMAAJ&lpg=PA3169&ots=_EfdQCYF4m&dq=%22WInnemucca%20Lake%22%201880&pg=PA3169#v=onepage&q=%22WInnemucca%20Lake%22%201880&f=false The Encyclopaedia Britannica]," 1898, p. 3169. "WINNEMUCCA LAKE in western Nevada lying in a desert without a visible outlet 27 miles long from north to south 4 miles wide from 50 to 57 feet deep, altitude 3,875 feet. It is supplied on the south by the eastern division of the Truckee River and receives part of the surplus waters of Lake Tahoe. It occupies the extreme southwest strip of Humboldt County and lying over into Washoe County its southernmost end lying in Churchill County. It lies between the Truckee range on the east and the Lake range on the west between it and Pyramid Lake which receives the western division of the Truckee River.


===Archeaology===
===Archeaology===
* "Historic Caves at Winnemucca Lake Looted," p. 13, 15-March-1955, Reno Evening Gazette.
* "Historic Caves at Winnemucca Lake Looted," p. 13, 15-March-1955, Reno Evening Gazette.
* W. I. Follett, "[http://www.nativefishlab.net/library/textpdf/18753.pdf Preliminary Report on Fish Remains from the Falcon Hill Sites, Washoe County, Nevada]," Nevada State Museum Anthropological Papers Number 9, 1963.  Interestingly, a salmon vertebra was found, which indicates communication with the Pacific Coast.
* Eugene Mitsuru Hattori, Donald R. Tuohy, "The archaeology of Falcon Hill, Winnemucca Lake, Washoe County, Nevada," Nevada State Museum, 1982.
* Regina C. Smith, Peggy McGuckian Jones, John R. Roney, Kathyrn E. Pedrick, "[http://www.blm.gov/pgdata/etc/medialib/blm/nv/cultural/reports.Par.78261.File.dat/06_Overview,_Winnemucca_District_1983.pdf Prehistory and history of the Winnemucca District]," BLM, 1984:  
* Regina C. Smith, Peggy McGuckian Jones, John R. Roney, Kathyrn E. Pedrick, "[http://www.blm.gov/pgdata/etc/medialib/blm/nv/cultural/reports.Par.78261.File.dat/06_Overview,_Winnemucca_District_1983.pdf Prehistory and history of the Winnemucca District]," BLM, 1984:  


In 1952 Philip Orr began excavating a series of rockshelters on the east side  
"In 1952 Philip Orr began excavating a series of rockshelters on the east side  
of Winnemucca Lake. The work, conducted under the auspices of the Nevada  
of Winnemucca Lake. The work, conducted under the auspices of the Nevada  
State Museum, the Western Speleogological Institute (Santa Barbara Museum of  
State Museum, the Western Speleogological Institute (Santa Barbara Museum of  
Natural History) and National Geographic, was intended to salvage materials  
Natural History) and National Geographic, was intended to salvage materials  
threatened by guano mining and private collectors.  
threatened by guano mining and private collectors."


The first excavations were at Stick Cave and Crypt Cave. Stick Cave was a  
"The first excavations were at Stick Cave and Crypt Cave. Stick Cave was a  
cache cave which yielded basketry, fishhooks, caches of chub, points, and a  
cache cave which yielded basketry, fishhooks, caches of chub, points, and a  
small painted granite effigy. Crypt Cave was used for habitation and  
small painted granite effigy. Crypt Cave was used for habitation and  
burials. In addition to a number of mummies, this site yielded a cache of  
burials. In addition to a number of mummies, this site yielded a cache of  
grasshoppers and a horse bone which could indicate association between  
grasshoppers and a horse bone which could indicate association between  
Pleistocene fauna and humans (Orr 1952).  
Pleistocene fauna and humans (Orr 1952)."


During 1952 through 1955 work continued at five other Winnemucca Lake  
"During 1952 through 1955 work continued at five other Winnemucca Lake  
Caves. Potentially most important is Fishbone Cave, where cultural  
Caves. Potentially most important is Fishbone Cave, where cultural  
materials may be associated with extinct Pleistocene fauna. In a pre-  
materials may be associated with extinct Pleistocene fauna. In a pre-  
Line 55: Line 68:
may show the contemporaneity of man and exinct fauna in the Great Basin.  
may show the contemporaneity of man and exinct fauna in the Great Basin.  
However, most students of Great Basin prehistory hesitate to accept this  
However, most students of Great Basin prehistory hesitate to accept this  
evidence in its present preliminary form (Heizer and Baumhoff 1970:3-4).  
evidence in its present preliminary form (Heizer and Baumhoff 1970:3-4)."


In another of the Winnemucca Lake Caves, Chimney Cave, Orr found a mummy  
"In another of the Winnemucca Lake Caves, Chimney Cave, Orr found a mummy  
which was radiocarbon- dated to 2,500 B.P. (Orr and Berger 1965). This specimen  
which was radiocarbon- dated to 2,500 B.P. (Orr and Berger 1965). This specimen  
was used to test reliability of radiocarbon dates on various types of materials,  
was used to test reliability of radiocarbon dates on various types of materials,  
Close agreement was found among dates on skin tissue, bone collagen, and  
Close agreement was found among dates on skin tissue, bone collagen, and  
vegetal clothing.  
vegetal clothing."


Although other brief accounts of the Winnemucca Lake Caves excavations are  
"Although other brief accounts of the Winnemucca Lake Caves excavations are  
available (Orr 1955, 1972, 1974), a final report for these important sites  
available (Orr 1955, 1972, 1974), a final report for these important sites  
has not yet been written. However, several papers do deal with specialized  
has not yet been written. However, several papers do deal with specialized  
Line 71: Line 84:
the Altithermal concept, with an extreme of aridity at about 6,250 B.P., lack  
the Altithermal concept, with an extreme of aridity at about 6,250 B.P., lack  
of a continuous profile and provenience for some of the samples hamper their  
of a continuous profile and provenience for some of the samples hamper their  
study.  
study."


Finally, Rozaire (1974) has described basketry from these sites in detail,  
"Finally, Rozaire (1974) has described basketry from these sites in detail,  
relating technique of manufacture to function of the basketry and considering  
relating technique of manufacture to function of the basketry and considering  
temporal and areal distribution of the various forms represented in the  
temporal and areal distribution of the various forms represented in the  
Winnemucca Lake Caves.  
Winnemucca Lake Caves."


Collections and Archive Materials  
"Collections and Archive Materials"
 
"Nevada Historical Society - Atlatl described by Harrington (1959). Nevada State Museum - Notes and artifacts from Orr's 1952-1958 excavations."


Nevada Historical Society - Atlatl described by Harrington (1959). Nevada State Museum - Notes and artifacts from Orr's 1952-1958 excavations.  
"Santa Barbara Museum of Natural History - Possibly some materials recovered by Orr in 1952-1958.  
Southwest Museum - Possible stone artifacts collected by R. Simpson (Orr 1972:125)."


Santa Barbara Museum of Natural History - Possibly some materials recovered by Orr in 1952-1958.
"Selected References"
Southwest Museum - Possible stone artifacts collected by R. Simpson (Orr 1972:125).


Selected References
* Berger, R., and G.J. Fergusson and Harrington, M.R. 1959


Berger, R., and G.J. Fergusson and Harrington, M.R. 1959
* W.F. Libby 1965 Heizer, R.F. and M.A. Baumhoff


W.F. Libby 1965 Heizer, R.F. and M.A. Baumhoff
* Broecker, W.S. and L. Klup 1957 1970  
Broecker, W.S. and L. Klup 1957 1970  


Broecker, W.S., L. Klup and Orr, P.C. 1952, 1955, 1956, 1972, 1974  
* Broecker, W.S., L. Klup and Orr, P.C. 1952, 1955, 1956, 1972, 1974  


C.S. Tucek 1956
* C.S. Tucek 1956


Broecker, W.S. and P.C. Orr 1958 Orr, P.C. and R. Berger 1965  
* Broecker, W.S. and P.C. Orr 1958 Orr, P.C. and R. Berger 1965  


Crane, H.R. and J.B. Griffin 1958 Rozaire, C.E. 1974  
* Crane, H.R. and J.B. Griffin 1958 Rozaire, C.E. 1974  


Grosscup, G.L. 1958 Sears, P.B. and A. Rossma 1961  
* Grosscup, G.L. 1958 Sears, P.B. and A. Rossma 1961  


13. Coleman Locality  
"13. Coleman Locality "


During work in caves at Falcon Hill on the northern end of Winnemucca Lake  
"During work in caves at [[Falcon Hill]] on the northern end of Winnemucca Lake  
in 1959 through 1961, the Nevada State Museum made surface collections at  
in 1959 through 1961, the Nevada State Museum made surface collections at  
the nearby Coleman Locality (Shutler n.d.). Artifacts from the Coleman  
the nearby Coleman Locality (Shutler n.d.). Artifacts from the Coleman  
Line 115: Line 129:
materials from Hathaway Beach. Tuohy also compared the artifacts from the  
materials from Hathaway Beach. Tuohy also compared the artifacts from the  
Colman Locality to MacNeish's postulated Blade, Burin, and Leaf-point  
Colman Locality to MacNeish's postulated Blade, Burin, and Leaf-point  
Tradition, which might date between 30,000 and 11,000 years ago.  
Tradition, which might date between 30,000 and 11,000 years ago."


Collections and Archive Materials  
Collections and Archive Materials  
Line 123: Line 137:
Selected References  
Selected References  


Shutler, R., Jr. n.d.  
* Shutler, R., Jr. n.d.  
Tuohy, D.R. 1968, 1970a  
 
Warren, CM. and A.J. Ranere 1968  
* Tuohy, D.R. 1968, 1970a  
 
* Warren, CM. and A.J. Ranere 1968  


14. Falcon Hill Sites  
"14. Falcon Hill Sites"


In 1961 Richard Shutler, Jr., of the Nevada State Museum conducted archeological  
"In 1961 Richard Shutler, Jr., of the Nevada State Museum conducted archeological  
investigations at a number of archeological sites in Washoe and Churchill  
investigations at a number of archeological sites in Washoe and Churchill  
Counties. Among these were 11 caves and rockshelters at Falcon Hill, on the  
Counties. Among these were 11 caves and rockshelters at [[Falcon Hill]], on the  
north end of Winnemucca Lake (Shutler n.d.).  
north end of Winnemucca Lake (Shutler n.d.).:


Follett (1963) published a general, preliminary account of the Falcon Hill  
"Follett (1963) published a general, preliminary account of the Falcon Hill  
materials, proposing that they represent a "Lakeshore Ecology Phase" which  
materials, proposing that they represent a "Lakeshore Ecology Phase" which  
may be contrasted with the Desert Culture concept. Radiocarbon dates from  
may be contrasted with the Desert Culture concept. Radiocarbon dates from  
the Falcon Hill sites indicate a lacustrine adaptation by 7,590 B.C. Shutler  
the Falcon Hill sites indicate a lacustrine adaptation by 7,590 B.C. Shutler  
also suggested that there was strong archeological continuity between the  
also suggested that there was strong archeological continuity between the  
Lakeshore Ecology Phase and the historic Northern Paiute.  
Lakeshore Ecology Phase and the historic Northern Paiute."


These preliminary and specialized reports do not deal with the full range  
"These preliminary and specialized reports do not deal with the full range  
of materials from the Falcon Hill sites. These sites are treated in detail  
of materials from the Falcon Hill sites. These sites are treated in detail  
by Hattori (1982).  
by Hattori (1982)."


Collections and Archive Materials  
Collections and Archive Materials  
Line 151: Line 167:
Selected References  
Selected References  


Follett, W.I. 1963  
* Follett, W.I. 1963  


Hattori 1982  
* Hattori 1982  
 
* Shutler, R., Jr. 1968, n.d.


Shutler, R., Jr. 1968, n.d.




* Kathryn E. Pedrick, "[http://www.blm.gov/pgdata/etc/medialib/blm/nv/cultural/reports/technical_reports.Par.48553.File.dat/14_Lake_Range_Quarry_Washoe_County_Nevada.pdf The Lake Range Quarry, Washoe County, Nevada,]" 1985 BLM.  Includes references for Winnemucca Lake.
* Kathryn E. Pedrick, "[http://www.blm.gov/pgdata/etc/medialib/blm/nv/cultural/reports/technical_reports.Par.48553.File.dat/14_Lake_Range_Quarry_Washoe_County_Nevada.pdf The Lake Range Quarry, Washoe County, Nevada,]" 1985 BLM.  Includes references for Winnemucca Lake.
* Donald R. Tuohy,  Eugene M. Hattori, "[http://escholarship.org/uc/item/3sj6c7v0#page-4 Lovelock Wickerware in the Lower Truckee River Basin]," Journal of California and Great Basin Anthropology, 18(2), 1996. List of Winnemucca sites.


===Skirmish at Mud Lake===
===Skirmish at Mud Lake===
Line 176: Line 195:


===Mining===
===Mining===
* John W. Gourley, "[ftp://nas.library.unr.edu/keck/mining/SCANS/3400/34000002.pdf The Whitecap Tungsten Mine,]" 1962.  "Located at the southeast corner of Winnemucca Lake." Owned by Fred Crosby of [[Sutcliffe]].  Section 21, T 24 N, R24 E. at 4600 ft on a small peak of the Truckee Range.  Probably at [https://maps.google.com/maps?q=39.941466,-119.285697&num=1&t=h&gl=us&z=19&iwloc=near 39.941466, -119.285697].  APN 079-320-15 is owned by Eugene Gabrych, a large land owner.
* [[White Caps Mine]]
* "Tungsten Ground Developed by M.G.L Corporation," May 6, 1942, p. 6, Reno Evening Gazette.  The area is known as the Senator Cowles tungsten property.  Includes two pictures, one of Senator Cowles.
* "Tungsten Ground Developed by M.G.L Corporation," May 6, 1942, p. 6, Reno Evening Gazette.  The area is known as the Senator Cowles tungsten property.  Includes two pictures, one of Senator Cowles.
* See also [[Alford Jeakins]] for the Jeakins Mine in the [[Selenite Range]]
* See also [[Alford Jeakins]] for the Jeakins Mine in the [[Selenite Range]]


===Possible Historic Images===
===Possible Historic Images===
* "[http://knowledgecenter.unr.edu/materials/specoll/photodesc.aspx?AccNo=UNRS-P2240 Swesey family photos]," University of Nevada, Reno, UNRS-P2240. (Image descriptions only)
* "[https://unrspecoll.pastperfectonline.com/AdvancedSearch?advanceSearchActivated=False&firstTimeSearch=False&search_include_photos=true&search_include_creators=true&search_include_people=true&search_include_containers=true&searchcat_1=&searchcat_2=&searchcat_3=&searchcat_4=&searchcat_5=&searchcat_6=&searchcat_7=&searchcat_8=Swesey+&searchcat_9=&searchcat_10=&actionType=Search  Swesey family photos]," University of Nevada, Reno, UNRS-P2240. (Image descriptions only)
** Swesey family. Winnemucca Lake, ca. 1914. Man rowing boat; three passengers; dog swims behind boat
** [https://unrspecoll.pastperfectonline.com/photo/72A1C5CD-669C-4187-8EFB-513164231818 Swesey family. Winnemucca Lake, ca. 1914. Man rowing boat; three passengers; dog swims behind boat (UNRS-P2240-1)]
** Winnemucca Lake, ca. 1914. Our black dog "Rowdy."
** [https://unrspecoll.pastperfectonline.com/Photo/465FEF47-EDB1-48A5-BBA2-991968898921 Handwritten on verso: Winnemucca Lake in background. 1914. Louise Swesey, Al Swesey, Scott Lourer, Nellie Swesey, ?? (UNRS-P2240-3)]
** [https://unrspecoll.pastperfectonline.com/Photo/B217395C-7CE8-4D9D-9263-599535996188 Winnemucca Lake, ca. 1914. Our black dog "Rowdy." (UNRS-P2240-2)]
** Winnemucca Lake in background. 1914. Louise Swesey, Al Swesey, Scott Lourer, Nellie Swesey, ??
** Winnemucca Lake in background. 1914. Louise Swesey, Al Swesey, Scott Lourer, Nellie Swesey, ??
** "[http://cdmweb.unr.edu/cdm/ref/collection/unohp/id/2533 Louise Swesey Schmidt: Memories of Childhood in Gerlach Area: 1910 - 1916,]" 1977, F847.W3 S32, University of Nevada Oral History Program. Discusses Winnemucca Lake.
** "[http://cdmweb.unr.edu/cdm/ref/collection/unohp/id/2533 Louise Swesey Schmidt: Memories of Childhood in Gerlach Area: 1910 - 1916,]" 1977, F847.W3 S32, University of Nevada Oral History Program. Discusses Winnemucca Lake.


* Jay A. Carpenter Collection, "[https://knowledgecenter.unr.edu/materials/specoll/photodesc.aspx?AccNo=UNRS-P1988-55 718, Tufa on west side of Winnemucca Lake, Washoe County. 17 May 1946]", University of Nevada, Reno, UNRS-P1988-55. (Image description only)
* Jay A. Carpenter Collection, "[https://unrspecoll.pastperfectonline.com/photo/FBBC61FA-6550-4EAE-B503-749148421014, Tufa on west side of Winnemucca Lake, Washoe County. 17 May 1946]", University of Nevada, Reno, UNRS-P1988-55-0718.


*  Sessions Wheeler, "[http://knowledgecenter.unr.edu/materials/specoll/photodesc.aspx?AccNo=UNRS-P1999-06 688 Slide. Winnemucca Lake]," University of Nevada, Reno, UNRS-P1999-06. (Image description only)
*  Sessions Wheeler, "[https://unrspecoll.pastperfectonline.com/photo/CB42D8D8-91CA-4AB2-8625-216048231628  Slide. Winnemucca Lake]," University of Nevada, Reno, (UNRS-P1999-06-688). (Image description only)


* [[Gus Bundy]], "[http://knowledgecenter.unr.edu/materials/specoll/photodesc.aspx?AccNo=UNRS-P1985-08 Winnemucca Lake, dry]," University of Nevada, Reno, UNRS-P1985-08. (Image description only).
* [[Gus Bundy]],  
** [https://unrspecoll.pastperfectonline.com/photo/FB698347-4910-4B60-9565-400087927995  Numbers 22789 through 22824. Thirty-six negatives: American Flat - Nathaniel Goodhue. August 1964; Truckee River (near Painted Rock, south); Pyramid Lake (old and new channels); Winnemucca Lake (dry); With Avery Winnemucca Oct. 3, 1964; (for Washoe Project) (neg. 2x2)] University of Nevada, Reno, UNRS-P1985-08-22789. (Image description only).
** [https://unrspecoll.pastperfectonline.com/photo/AA492DFF-D1A5-4AA0-93DA-515187330004 Numbers 22723 through 22755. Thirty-three negatives: Trees and Rocks - Little Valley; Winnemucca Lake, Woods Lake, Round Mt. Lake; September 1962; Special Negative of Tree and Rock (neg. 2x2).] University of Nevada, Reno, UNRS-P1985-08-22723. (Image description only)


===Newspaper Articles===
===Newspaper Articles===
* "The do not want to go to Pyramid Reservation and no Room for Them There if They Did," p. 2, 13-Dec-1884, Weekly Nevada State Journal.  The Indians claim that Winnemucca Lake was to be part of their reservation.  There is a "resort for Chinese fishermen."
* "The do not want to go to Pyramid Reservation and no Room for Them There if They Did," p. 2, 13-Dec-1884, Weekly Nevada State Journal.  The Indians claim that Winnemucca Lake was to be part of their reservation.  There is a "resort for Chinese fishermen."
* Reno Evening Gazett, May 11, 1887, Felix McCormack had 35 guests at Lake Winnemucca last Sunday.
* Reno Evening Gazette, May 11, 1887, Felix McCormack had 35 guests at Lake Winnemucca last Sunday.
* "New Gun Club is Organized," p. 12, 25-Feb-1936.  Charles Wibel is one of the board members.  The club has already taken over the Wibel property and built a club house.
* "New Gun Club is Organized," p. 12, 25-Feb-1936.  Charles Wibel is one of the board members.  The club has already taken over the Wibel property and built a club house.
* "Zeller Given Map to Claim States Miner," 27-March-1936, Reno Evening Gazette.  Art Zeller became stuck on the east side of Winnemucca Lake.  His body was found 55 miles east.  If he had walked 17 miles the other direction, he would have been safe.
* "Zeller Given Map to Claim States Miner," 27-March-1936, Reno Evening Gazette.  Art Zeller became stuck on the east side of Winnemucca Lake.  His body was found 55 miles east.  If he had walked 17 miles the other direction, he would have been safe.
* "Entertainment Guide," p. 4, 22-Aug-1936 Nevada State Journal.  Mike Schon and his band play at Charlie's Place at Winnemucca Lake where there will be a dance and a skeet shoot.
* "Entertainment Guide," p. 4, 22-Aug-1936 Nevada State Journal.  Mike Schon and his band play at Charlie's Place at Winnemucca Lake where there will be a dance and a skeet shoot.
* "Remember When," p. 4, 03-Aug-1956, Nevada State Journal.  20 years earlier the Winnemucca Lake Gun Club was established on the property of Charles Wibel, located 28 miles north of Nixon on west side of Winnemucca Lake along the Gerlach road.  Thomas Moltzen was president, A. J. Shaver was secretary
* "Remember When," p. 4, 03-Aug-1956, Nevada State Journal.  20 years earlier the Winnemucca Lake Gun Club was established on the property of Charles Wibel, located 28 miles north of Nixon on west side of Winnemucca Lake along the Gerlach road.  Thomas Moltzen was president, A. J. Shaver was secretary
* Oyvind Frock, "[http://www.nvarch.org/Website/In%20Situ/2000/In-SituFall2000.pdf The Last Boat on Winnemucca Lake]," In Situ, Newsletter of the Nevada Archaeological Association, Fall 2000.  An excellent write up about Adobe Charlie (perhaps Charles Wibel?) and his boat.  Adobe Charlie's place was 25 miles south of Gerlach, on the west side of the old road near the Hanneman and Royels Ranch.
** Donald Jeakins, 20-Oct-2013 email to Christopher Brooks, used by permission. "Winnemucca Lake is not too far from the Blackrock, Gerlach separates the Smoke Creek Desert from the  Blackrock, if you ever heard about Dobie Charley? He had a small resort like there and built a boat to go on to Winnemucca Lake, every one was telling him to hurry because it was going to dry up. Well I have a couple photos of Him in his boat by a little dock he built. had a model T engine in it. He disappears no one knew what happened to him. his place was just like it always was nothing removed, but him, now that is a mystery. And there is water on the Winnemucca Lake. His old boat set for years along side the bank of the lake, I always wanted to go down there, well about 20 years ago my wife and I went down to see it. all is rotted away, just enough wood left to for the bow no engine in it."


===Personal Recollection===
===Personal Recollections===
* "[http://nsla.nevadaculture.org/statepubs/epubs/210777-1959-1Winter.pdf The Diary of Joe F. Triplett]", Nevada Historical Society 1959. May 22, 1862:
"Traveled North twenty miles. No signs. Turned east, crossed low range of granite hills to Mud Lake, the sink of the east branch of Truckee.  Owing to the soft and miry nature of the ground could not get our horses to the lake, so we traveled north ten miles to Lost Springs. Plenty of grub, but the springs are only holes-in-the-ground, not large enough to put a bucket in;  improvised a pump by tying strings into the rim of an old wool hat (like boys string kites), then with a long pole pressed into the crown of the hat we soon raised water for ourselves and our half-famished horses. 50 head of cattle."
** It is not clear where "Lost Springs" is. 
*** [[Sevenmile Spring]] is located just under 10 miles as the crow flies from the south end of the lake.
*** [[Goose Spring]] is located on the east shore of Winnemucca Lake, 14.6 miles north (as the crow flies) from the south end of the lake.
* "[http://contentdm.library.unr.edu/u?/wheat,38  Oral history interview with Ethel O'Neil, Josie French, and Mabel Wright Paulina,]" 1969, Special Collections Department, University of Nevada, Reno Libraries. "...a mudhen drive on Winnemucca Lake..."
* "[http://contentdm.library.unr.edu/u?/wheat,38  Oral history interview with Ethel O'Neil, Josie French, and Mabel Wright Paulina,]" 1969, Special Collections Department, University of Nevada, Reno Libraries. "...a mudhen drive on Winnemucca Lake..."
* "Winnemucca Lake is not too far from the Blackrock, Gerlach separates the Smoke Creek Desert from the  Blackrock, if you ever heard about Dobie Charley? He had a small resort like there and built a boat to go on to Winnemucca Lake, every one was telling him to hurry because it was going to dry up. Well I have a couple photos of Him in his boat by a little dock he built. had a model T engine in it. He disappears no one knew what happened to him. his place was just like it always was nothing removed, but him, now that is a mystery. And there is water on the Winnemucca Lake. His old boat set for years along side the bank of the lake, I always wanted to go down there, well about 20 years ago my wife and I went down to see it. all is rotted away, just enough wood left to for the bow no engine in it." Donald Jeakins, 20-Oct-2013 email to Christopher Brooks, used by permission.
* "[https://archive.org/details/LukeGeorge George Luke: You Have to Kind of Take Pride in It Farming on the Newlands Project Since 1912 and Collectin’ Heads], 1980, Special Collections Department, University of Nevada, Reno Libraries. Description of digging in caves around WWII.


===Chinese Fishing Camp===
===Chinese Fishing Camp===
* [http://water.nv.gov/mapping/chronologies/truckee/part2.cfm Truckee River Chronology] reports that the Nevada State Journal, September 23, 1882 reports that fish are caught in Pyramid an Mud Lake.  Mud Lake is another name for Winneumucca Lake.  Only the Indians are allowed to take trout from Pyramid Lake.  White men, Italians and Chinese are fishing.
* "The do not want to go to Pyramid Reservation and no Room for Them There if They Did," p. 2, 13-Dec-1884, Weekly Nevada State Journal. The Indians claim that Winnemucca Lake was to be part of their reservation. There is a "resort for Chinese fishermen."
* W. D. C. Gibson, "[https://books.google.com/books?id=1VpGAQAAIAAJ&dq=gibson%20pyramid%20lake&pg=PA142#v=onepage&q=gibson%20&f=false Annual report of the Commissioner of Indian Affairs to the Secretary of the Interior for the fiscal year ended]," p. 147, 1885: "I think it is absolutely necessary that a SURVEY of the outward boundaries of Pyramid Lake and Walker River Reservations should be made and properly marked with suitable monuments substantially erected defining the exact lines of said reserves. I can scarcely find any two persons either white or Indians that agree as to where the lines run especially of Pyramid Lake Reserve hence it is impossible to tell whether the whites are trespassing on the reserve or not. I have been informed that in trials before courts of justice the evidence is so conflicting as to where the lines run that it is useless to try to obtain a conviction for trespassing. Some of the Indians residing on Pyramid Lake Reserve claim that the original survey of land allotted to them prior to 1865 included Winnemucca or what is better known here as Mud Lake. If this should be the fact and so established by a new survey it would be of great benefit to these Indians pecuniarily as they would then have the exclusive right to fish upon Pyramid and Mud Lakes which are both fed by the waters of the Truckee River. As it is now Chinamen monopolize Mud Lake and at times overstock the fish market to the detriment of the Indians fishing on Pyramid Lake." 
* [http://newspaperarchive.com/us/nevada/reno/weekly-nevada-state-journal/1887/11-12/page-3 Nevada State Journal, November 12, 1887.]  "Fishing has commenced in earnest at Mud Lake."
* Hattori and Tuohy (see above) state that there was a Chinese fishing camp on the Western shore around 1880 when the depth was about 26m.
* Hattori and Tuohy (see above) state that there was a Chinese fishing camp on the Western shore around 1880 when the depth was about 26m.
* Sally Zanjani "[http://books.google.com/books?id=qazH0LPNOvIC&lpg=PA259&ots=6PQJ5GLsih&dq=Winnemucca%20Lake%20Chinese&pg=PA259#v=onepage&q=Winnemucca%20Lake%20Chinese&f=false Sarah Winnemucca]," p. 259, 2004. The Paiutes evicted a colony of Chinese because they attempted to seize a portion of the commercial fishery upon which the Paiute's depended.
* Sally Zanjani "[http://books.google.com/books?id=qazH0LPNOvIC&lpg=PA259&ots=6PQJ5GLsih&dq=Winnemucca%20Lake%20Chinese&pg=PA259#v=onepage&q=Winnemucca%20Lake%20Chinese&f=false Sarah Winnemucca]," p. 259, 2004. The Paiutes evicted a colony of Chinese because they attempted to seize a portion of the commercial fishery upon which the Paiute's depended.
* Justin R. Foley, "[https://books.google.com/books?id=HhHoVSlBA-AC&lpg=PA52&dq=Gibson%20winnemucca%20lake&pg=PA55#v=onepage&q=%22Winnemucca%20Lake%22&f=false In Defense of Self: Identity and Place in Pyramid Lake Paiute History]," states that the Paiute sheriff mentioned that there was a Chinese fishing camp at the southeast portion of Winnemucca Lake where the Chinese were taking fish for profit, even though the Paiute themselves could not get commercial fishing permits for that location.  Foley cites Shaw Harnar 1974, 56-59, which is Nellie Shaw Harnar, "The History of the Pyramid Lake Indians, 1843-1959 and Early Tribal History, 1825-1834," 1974. Also located at the southeast edge of the lake is [[Gibson]].
* Omer C. Stewart, "[http://digitalassets.lib.berkeley.edu/anthpubs/ucb/text/ucar002-004.pdf The Northern Paiute Bands]," University of California Anthropological Records, p. 140, Volume 2, 1939, states that Chinese were reported at the lake in "Ind. Aff. Rep., 1885 147.", which is presumably Gibson's report.
* Robert K. Vierra, "[http://nvarch.org/amcs/wp-content/uploads/2017/10/2016-Volume-29-Nevada-Archaeologist.pdf Winnemucca Lake: The Evidence for A Chinese Commercial Fishing Economy]," Nevada Archaeologist, Volume 29, 2016


 
== See Also ==
* [[Jenny Creek]] - Drains in to the north end of Winnemucca Lake
* [[Needle Rock]] - Pillar located at the north end of Winnemucca Lake
* [[Nugent Springs]] - Located in the Lake Range, the west of Winnemucca Lake.
* [[Gibson]] - historical location at the south end of Winnemucca Lake
* [[Goose Spring]] - Spring located on the east shore
* [[Russell Peak]] - Located on the south east shore.
[[Category:1860s deaths‏‎]]
[[Category:1860s deaths‏‎]]
[[Category:Deaths by violence]]
[[Category:Deaths by violence]]
[[Category:Wikipedia articles]]
[[Category:Wikipedia articles]]
[[Category:Winnemucca Lake]]

Revision as of 21:06, 28 December 2021

Winnemucca Lake is dry lake located on Highway 447 north of Nixon and south of Empire. To the west is Pyramid Lake.

Winnemucca Lake is the site of the oldest petroglyphs in North America. See the Winnemucca Lake Wikipedia article for details.

This page contains links to original materials about the area.

Pyramid and Winnemucca Lakes, (Russell 1885).

Overview

N.A. Hummel, General history and resources of Washoe County, Nevada, published under the auspices of the Nevada Educational Association." archive.org(1888):

  • p. 3:"Sulphur is found on the shore of Winnemucca Lake but as this bed is some 70 miles from railroad it will probably remain undisturbed some years although experts pronounce it of superior quality. Some months ago a San Francisco corporation discussed the feasibility marketing it and went so far as to contract 20,000 tons annually. The company was denied the privilege of hauling over the Indian Reservation road and bridge and we opine that is reason nothing further has been done."
  • p 21: "WINNEMUCCA LAKE Lying parallel to Pyramid Lake and a little to the east of it is Winnemucca Lake the largest body of water in the State extending north and south sixty miles and north and south twelve miles. With Pyramid Lake it shares the water of the Truckee River The surrounding mountains are low and regular yet their geology is interesting and their sides are used as stock ranges. Winnemucca Lake is the home of the silver trout a fish not to be excelled the world over for beauty. When taken out of the water he looks like the highest perfection of the silversmith's art. Winnemucca Lake will one day be a famous resort as the piscatorial sport to be had here cannot be beaten. Felix McCormack the host here took us out on the lake not long ago and with trout as bait caught eighteen two pound fish in ten minutes with a single line five feet in length. To understand this record the reader must remember that minnow is the regulation bait McCormack has a fast team plenty of fishing tackle and a dozen good boats."
  • p. 22: "Twenty five years ago Winnemucca Lake nearly dried up and became at an immense lake of soft mud. During the time it was in this condition it was called Mud Lake and by that name it is best known to day. McCormack's place at the mouth of the slough one could easily ford twenty years ago whereas now at this point there is a width of 100 feet a depth of 50 feet. Farther down the shore this lake Andy Russell and other stockmen built a stone corral which is now twenty feet the surface of the water. On the western was a piece of land containing about 500 acres meadow and salt grass which is now all water. The cause of this change of surface is sawdust and other waste material which is dumped into the Truckee river by the sawmills and carried along to the mouth of the river at the of the lakes where it is deposited and forms bar. A quarter of a century ago such a dam formed and cut off the water which went into Winnemucca Lake and all the water flowed Pyramid Lake. The result was that Pyramid Lake grew larger and larger and Winnemucca Lake nearly dried up. The high water of Pyramid at last backed far enough to burst the barrier and restore Winnemucca Lake. What happened twenty five years ago is happening to day only the inlet to Pyramid Lake is nearly closed and it is growing smaller and smaller. If allowed to it will dry up for a time within the next ten years if the inlet is not cleared by artificial means. The Indians realize this and are trying to prevent it by building a wing dam."

History of the Comstock Silver Lode and Mines (1889) Part 3 "Winnemucca Lake. This lake lies to the east of, and parallel with, Pyramid Lake, from which it is separated by only a single ridge of gray rock and sand. It lies principally in Humboldt County, though a part reaches south into Churchill County. The lake is now about sixty miles long, with an average width of twelve miles. Of late years it has been rapidly increasing in size, as more water has been flowing through its feeder than formerly. It has on the east side a high rocky ridge, like that which separates it from Pyramid, therefore it lies in a trough between two ranges of hills. Though so near to each other, the surface of the water in Winnemucca Lake is, forty feet lower than that in Pyramid. The Piutes remember a time when all was one lake. Were the waters of these twin lakes now united they would make a lake quite as large as the great Salt Lake of Utah. The inlet to Winnemucca Lake contains several old rafts of drift-wood, which prevent a free flow of water through it. Some years ago a freshet lifted these rafts from the bed of the stream, and the water found a channel beneath them. Since that occurred Winnemucca Lake has been steadily increasing in size. There are many Indian traditions connected with these lakes, one of which is in regard to immense animals that once herded in the neighborhood. This seems to be a tradition of the elephant or mastodon. All this region was once covered by an inland sea of fresh water, over 200 miles in length, and 80 or 90 miles in width."

Place Name

  • Wikipedia
  • GNIS
    • Citation: "U.S. Geological Survey. Geographic Names Phase I data compilation (1976-1981). 31-Dec-1981. Primarily from U.S. Geological Survey 1:24,000-scale topographic maps (or 1:25K, Puerto Rico 1:20K) and from U.S. Board on Geographic Names files. In some instances, from 1:62,500 scale or 1:250,000 scale maps."
    • Alternate Name: "Mud Lake": "'Map of an Exploring Expedition to the Rocky Mountains in the Year 1842 - Oregon and Northern California in the years 1843-44,' Baltimore, MD: no publication date, no scale given. Litho by E. Weber & Co. Prepared by Brevet Capt. J.C. Fremont of the Corps of Topographical Engineers under the control of Col. J.J. Abert, Chief of the Topographical Bureau."
    • Alternate Name: "Winnamuck Lake": "'Map of the Western Division of the Fort Kearney South Pass and Honey Lake Road, Western Wagon Roads,' Dept. of the Interior: 1857, scale 1:720,000 (1 inch=12 miles). Surveyed under the direction of John Kirk, Supt., by E. A. Bishop, Engineer."
  • DeGroot's Map of Nevada Territory (1863) (Rumsey) shows Winnemucca Lake
  • Great Trans-continental Railroad Guide (1870) Mentions Winnemucca Lake.
  • Granite Range (1894, Rp. 1923) (UNR) shows Winnemucca Lake.
  • Wadsworth (1894, Rp. 1942) (UNR) shows Winnemucca Lake and Gibson at the south end of the lake.

Geology

  • "Popular Science," 1881, p 139: "Sir J. H. Lefroy in the Geographical Section devoted his address to the advances made in geographical research in North America showing that the great increase of our knowledge of this region is due to railways and the various State surveys. Among the interesting facts mentioned are the rise in the level of some American lakes and the depths to which the ground is permanently frozen in the northern part of British North America.Though before 1866 the surface Salt Lake had been falling since that it has risen eleven feet. Pyramid Lake risen nine feet and Lake Winnemucca two feet. No theory of the cause advanced."
  • "The Encyclopaedia Britannica," 1898, p. 3169. "WINNEMUCCA LAKE in western Nevada lying in a desert without a visible outlet 27 miles long from north to south 4 miles wide from 50 to 57 feet deep, altitude 3,875 feet. It is supplied on the south by the eastern division of the Truckee River and receives part of the surplus waters of Lake Tahoe. It occupies the extreme southwest strip of Humboldt County and lying over into Washoe County its southernmost end lying in Churchill County. It lies between the Truckee range on the east and the Lake range on the west between it and Pyramid Lake which receives the western division of the Truckee River.
  • George Hardman and Cruz Venstrom, "A 100-year record of the Truckee River runoff estimated from changes in levels and volumes of Pyramid and Winnemucca Lakes", Transactions of the American Geophysical Union p74, v22 1941. Frock (below) states "The Overland Road Guide, published about 1850, says thatWinnemucca Lake appears to be a small pond." and cites Hardman and Venstrom, p74. The Google excerpt cites "J. Claude Jones, Overland road map, Huntington Library 1858". Note the difference in dates (1850 vs 1858.)
  • Eugene M Hattori, Donald R Tuohy, "Prehistoric Human Occupation and Changing Lake Levels at Pyramid and Winnemucca Lakes Nevada," Geological Survey Circular, Volume 1119 of Circular, 1996. Winnemucca Lake reached its maximum depth of 26m in about 1880. At around that time, there was a Chinese fishing camp on the western shore.

Archeaology

"In 1952 Philip Orr began excavating a series of rockshelters on the east side of Winnemucca Lake. The work, conducted under the auspices of the Nevada State Museum, the Western Speleogological Institute (Santa Barbara Museum of Natural History) and National Geographic, was intended to salvage materials threatened by guano mining and private collectors."

"The first excavations were at Stick Cave and Crypt Cave. Stick Cave was a cache cave which yielded basketry, fishhooks, caches of chub, points, and a small painted granite effigy. Crypt Cave was used for habitation and burials. In addition to a number of mummies, this site yielded a cache of grasshoppers and a horse bone which could indicate association between Pleistocene fauna and humans (Orr 1952)."

"During 1952 through 1955 work continued at five other Winnemucca Lake Caves. Potentially most important is Fishbone Cave, where cultural materials may be associated with extinct Pleistocene fauna. In a pre- liminary report Orr (1956) describes stratigraphy in this site. Level 3, which consisted of dust, ash, burned guano, and other perishable organic matter included one Pinto and one Amargosa Point. Fragments of horse and camel bone found in Level 3 are believed to have originated in Level 4. Level 4, which underlies Level 3, contains more sand and less perishable material. It has been intruded upon by many cache pits from Level 3, result- ing in some mixing of the deposit. Level 4 includes horse and camel bone and brush that was radiocarbon - dated to 10,900 +/- 300 B.P. String, basketry, netting, and matting were all found in Level 4. Also, in Level 3 an awl made of horse bone was found. Thus, Fishbone Cave is very important in that it may show the contemporaneity of man and exinct fauna in the Great Basin. However, most students of Great Basin prehistory hesitate to accept this evidence in its present preliminary form (Heizer and Baumhoff 1970:3-4)."

"In another of the Winnemucca Lake Caves, Chimney Cave, Orr found a mummy which was radiocarbon- dated to 2,500 B.P. (Orr and Berger 1965). This specimen was used to test reliability of radiocarbon dates on various types of materials, Close agreement was found among dates on skin tissue, bone collagen, and vegetal clothing."

"Although other brief accounts of the Winnemucca Lake Caves excavations are available (Orr 1955, 1972, 1974), a final report for these important sites has not yet been written. However, several papers do deal with specialized aspects of the Winnemucca Lake Caves. Harrington (1959) described an un- usual atlatl- flaking tool combination found in Cowbone Cave. Sears and Roosma (1961) analyzed pollen from guano and fishbone. Although their results support the Altithermal concept, with an extreme of aridity at about 6,250 B.P., lack of a continuous profile and provenience for some of the samples hamper their study."

"Finally, Rozaire (1974) has described basketry from these sites in detail, relating technique of manufacture to function of the basketry and considering temporal and areal distribution of the various forms represented in the Winnemucca Lake Caves."

"Collections and Archive Materials"

"Nevada Historical Society - Atlatl described by Harrington (1959). Nevada State Museum - Notes and artifacts from Orr's 1952-1958 excavations."

"Santa Barbara Museum of Natural History - Possibly some materials recovered by Orr in 1952-1958. Southwest Museum - Possible stone artifacts collected by R. Simpson (Orr 1972:125)."

"Selected References"

  • Berger, R., and G.J. Fergusson and Harrington, M.R. 1959
  • W.F. Libby 1965 Heizer, R.F. and M.A. Baumhoff
  • Broecker, W.S. and L. Klup 1957 1970
  • Broecker, W.S., L. Klup and Orr, P.C. 1952, 1955, 1956, 1972, 1974
  • C.S. Tucek 1956
  • Broecker, W.S. and P.C. Orr 1958 Orr, P.C. and R. Berger 1965
  • Crane, H.R. and J.B. Griffin 1958 Rozaire, C.E. 1974
  • Grosscup, G.L. 1958 Sears, P.B. and A. Rossma 1961

"13. Coleman Locality "

"During work in caves at Falcon Hill on the northern end of Winnemucca Lake in 1959 through 1961, the Nevada State Museum made surface collections at the nearby Coleman Locality (Shutler n.d.). Artifacts from the Coleman Locality were briefly mentioned by Tuohy (1968) and by Warren and Ranere (1968) who relate them to the San Diequito Complex. These materials have been described and analyzed by Don Tuohy (1970). Of the four localities which Tuohy considered, one is a basalt quarry, two are workshops where basalt was the primary raw material, and one was a campsite. Projectile points and other artifacts were clearly comparable to Anathermal aged materials from Hathaway Beach. Tuohy also compared the artifacts from the Colman Locality to MacNeish's postulated Blade, Burin, and Leaf-point Tradition, which might date between 30,000 and 11,000 years ago."

Collections and Archive Materials

Nevada State Museum

Selected References

  • Shutler, R., Jr. n.d.
  • Tuohy, D.R. 1968, 1970a
  • Warren, CM. and A.J. Ranere 1968

"14. Falcon Hill Sites"

"In 1961 Richard Shutler, Jr., of the Nevada State Museum conducted archeological investigations at a number of archeological sites in Washoe and Churchill Counties. Among these were 11 caves and rockshelters at Falcon Hill, on the north end of Winnemucca Lake (Shutler n.d.).:

"Follett (1963) published a general, preliminary account of the Falcon Hill materials, proposing that they represent a "Lakeshore Ecology Phase" which may be contrasted with the Desert Culture concept. Radiocarbon dates from the Falcon Hill sites indicate a lacustrine adaptation by 7,590 B.C. Shutler also suggested that there was strong archeological continuity between the Lakeshore Ecology Phase and the historic Northern Paiute."

"These preliminary and specialized reports do not deal with the full range of materials from the Falcon Hill sites. These sites are treated in detail by Hattori (1982)."

Collections and Archive Materials

Nevada State Museum - Notes and artifacts.

Selected References

  • Follett, W.I. 1963
  • Hattori 1982
  • Shutler, R., Jr. 1968, n.d.


Skirmish at Mud Lake

  • Sarah Winnemucca, "Life Among the Piutes: Their Wrongs and Claims," (1883) p. 76-78. In the chapter "Reservation of Pyramid and Muddy Lakes": (p "This reservation given in 1860 was at first sixty miles long and fifteen wide. The line is where the railroad now crosses the river and it takes in two beautiful lakes one called Pyramid Lake and the one on the eastern side Muddy Lake." ... "In 1865 we had another trouble with our white brothers. It was early in the spring and we were then living at Dayton Nevada when a company of soldiers came through the place and stopped and spoke to some of my people and said, "You have been stealing cattle from the white people at Harney Lake'" They said also that they would kill everything that came in their way men women and children. The captain's name was Wells. The place where they were going to is about three hundred miles away. The days after they left were very sad hours indeed. Oh dear readers these soldiers had gone only sixty miles away to Muddy Lake where my people were then living and fishing and doing nothing to any one. The soldiers rode up to their encampment and fired into it and killed almost all the people that were there. Oh it is a fearful thing to tell but it must be told. Yes it must be told by me. It was all old men women and children that were killed for my father had all the young men with him at the sink of Carson on a hunting excursion or they would have been killed too. After the soldiers had killed all but some little children and babies still tied up in their baskets the soldiers took them also and set the camp on fire and threw them into the flames to see them burn alive. I had one baby brother killed there. My sister jumped on father's best horse and ran away. As she ran the soldiers ran after her but thanks be to the Good Father in the Spirit land my dear sister got away. This almost killed my poor papa. Yet my people kept peaceful."
  • Philip D. Smith, "The Sagebrush Soldiers: Nevada's Volunteers in the Civil War," Nevada Historical Society Quarterly, Volume V, Nos. 3-4, 1962. An account of the "Expedition to Pyramid Lake", also know as ""Skirmish, Mud Lake, Nevada".
  • Captain Almond B. Wells, "March 12-19 1865, Expeditions from Fort Churchill to Pyramid and Walker's Lakes Nev with skirmish 14th at Mud Lake and affair 16th near Walker's Lake Nev,"
    • Oddly, this reports that Chief Winnemucca visited Captain Wells and that Winnemucca "expressed his approval at the results of the fight, as the Indians involved were not from his people, but were 'bad' Indians."
    • "Camp Nye Nev March 19 1865 Sir In obedience to instructions from headquarters Military Sub District of Nevada Fort Churchill Special Orders No 15 dated March 11 18C5 1 have the honor to report that on the 12th of March with fifty men I traveled a distance of ten miles in a northeasterly direction and camped for the night At 6 o clock the next morning broke camp and marched a distance of forty eight miles in a westerly direction arriving at Pyramid Lake at 6 pm I immediately ascertained from good anthority that there was a band of Smoke Creek Indians encamped about eleven miles below that they were continually stealing cattle from the ranchmen and herders I placed a guard over the Indians encamped around me and gave orders not to let one escape The next morning the 14th instant at 3 o clock I left camp with twenty nine of my men and two citizens Messrs TW Murch and W II Wilson who volunteered their services as guides for the purpose of arresting the guilty Indians We came within sight of their encampment about 5.30 am I divided my command into three squads under Sergeants Wad leigh and Besat ten men remaining with me I then approached their encampment intending to arrest them but when within about 150 yards they commenced firing upon me The first shot took effect in Corporal Dolan's shoulder wounding him slightly the second passed through the cape of my overcoat I then ordered a charge with sabers The Indians fell back to the bushes on both sides of the slough By this time the men under Sergeants Wadleigh and Besat came up and a general engagement ensued The Indians fought like veterans I killed twenty nine in all but one escaped I destroyed several guns a quantity of powder fresh beef &c I pursued and fought them for about tea miles up into the mountains Some of my men had hand to hand conflicts with them Several were beaten on the arms with the Indians guns I also captured nine horses but as they were very poor I did not deem it necessary to bring them in Throughout the battle my men behaved with a valor and fortitnde rarely equaled Without an exception they were as cool and collected as though ou an ordinary skirmish drill. My acknowledgments are due Messrs Murch and Wilson for the benefit of their experience as guides and for the aid they afforded throughout the conflict After the battle Winnemucca chief of the Pi Utes called on me and expressed himself as highly pleased with the result He told me through the interpreter that he had been talking to them all winter telling them not to steal the white men's cattle and he thought that the punishment they had received would teach them a lesson I am sir very respectfully your obedient servant. AB WELLS Captain Company D First Battalion Cavalry Nevada Volunteers"
  • Sessions S. Wheeler, "The Nevada Desert," (1971), p. 60 - p. 73. An excellent description of the murders at Granite Creek Station and Winnemucca Lake.
  • Jeremy Pratt, "Truckee-Carson River Basin Study," Report to the Western Water Policy Review Advisory Commission, September 1997. History of Winnemucca Lake.
  • Emma Richey, "The History of Winnemucca Lake," Online presentation with a few resources.
  • Rich Moreno, "Nevada's Lost Natural Wonders," Backyard Traveler. Blog. February 05, 2007. In 1936, Winnemucca Lake National Wildlife Refuge was designated. Winnemucca Lake dried up within a couple of decades of the creation of Derby Dam. In 1962, the national refuge status was removed.

Mining

  • White Caps Mine
  • "Tungsten Ground Developed by M.G.L Corporation," May 6, 1942, p. 6, Reno Evening Gazette. The area is known as the Senator Cowles tungsten property. Includes two pictures, one of Senator Cowles.
  • See also Alford Jeakins for the Jeakins Mine in the Selenite Range

Possible Historic Images

  • Sessions Wheeler, "Slide. Winnemucca Lake," University of Nevada, Reno, (UNRS-P1999-06-688). (Image description only)

Newspaper Articles

  • "The do not want to go to Pyramid Reservation and no Room for Them There if They Did," p. 2, 13-Dec-1884, Weekly Nevada State Journal. The Indians claim that Winnemucca Lake was to be part of their reservation. There is a "resort for Chinese fishermen."
  • Reno Evening Gazette, May 11, 1887, Felix McCormack had 35 guests at Lake Winnemucca last Sunday.
  • "New Gun Club is Organized," p. 12, 25-Feb-1936. Charles Wibel is one of the board members. The club has already taken over the Wibel property and built a club house.
  • "Zeller Given Map to Claim States Miner," 27-March-1936, Reno Evening Gazette. Art Zeller became stuck on the east side of Winnemucca Lake. His body was found 55 miles east. If he had walked 17 miles the other direction, he would have been safe.
  • "Entertainment Guide," p. 4, 22-Aug-1936 Nevada State Journal. Mike Schon and his band play at Charlie's Place at Winnemucca Lake where there will be a dance and a skeet shoot.
  • "Remember When," p. 4, 03-Aug-1956, Nevada State Journal. 20 years earlier the Winnemucca Lake Gun Club was established on the property of Charles Wibel, located 28 miles north of Nixon on west side of Winnemucca Lake along the Gerlach road. Thomas Moltzen was president, A. J. Shaver was secretary
  • Oyvind Frock, "The Last Boat on Winnemucca Lake," In Situ, Newsletter of the Nevada Archaeological Association, Fall 2000. An excellent write up about Adobe Charlie (perhaps Charles Wibel?) and his boat. Adobe Charlie's place was 25 miles south of Gerlach, on the west side of the old road near the Hanneman and Royels Ranch.
    • Donald Jeakins, 20-Oct-2013 email to Christopher Brooks, used by permission. "Winnemucca Lake is not too far from the Blackrock, Gerlach separates the Smoke Creek Desert from the Blackrock, if you ever heard about Dobie Charley? He had a small resort like there and built a boat to go on to Winnemucca Lake, every one was telling him to hurry because it was going to dry up. Well I have a couple photos of Him in his boat by a little dock he built. had a model T engine in it. He disappears no one knew what happened to him. his place was just like it always was nothing removed, but him, now that is a mystery. And there is water on the Winnemucca Lake. His old boat set for years along side the bank of the lake, I always wanted to go down there, well about 20 years ago my wife and I went down to see it. all is rotted away, just enough wood left to for the bow no engine in it."

Personal Recollections

"Traveled North twenty miles. No signs. Turned east, crossed low range of granite hills to Mud Lake, the sink of the east branch of Truckee. Owing to the soft and miry nature of the ground could not get our horses to the lake, so we traveled north ten miles to Lost Springs. Plenty of grub, but the springs are only holes-in-the-ground, not large enough to put a bucket in; improvised a pump by tying strings into the rim of an old wool hat (like boys string kites), then with a long pole pressed into the crown of the hat we soon raised water for ourselves and our half-famished horses. 50 head of cattle."

Chinese Fishing Camp

  • Truckee River Chronology reports that the Nevada State Journal, September 23, 1882 reports that fish are caught in Pyramid an Mud Lake. Mud Lake is another name for Winneumucca Lake. Only the Indians are allowed to take trout from Pyramid Lake. White men, Italians and Chinese are fishing.
  • "The do not want to go to Pyramid Reservation and no Room for Them There if They Did," p. 2, 13-Dec-1884, Weekly Nevada State Journal. The Indians claim that Winnemucca Lake was to be part of their reservation. There is a "resort for Chinese fishermen."
  • W. D. C. Gibson, "Annual report of the Commissioner of Indian Affairs to the Secretary of the Interior for the fiscal year ended," p. 147, 1885: "I think it is absolutely necessary that a SURVEY of the outward boundaries of Pyramid Lake and Walker River Reservations should be made and properly marked with suitable monuments substantially erected defining the exact lines of said reserves. I can scarcely find any two persons either white or Indians that agree as to where the lines run especially of Pyramid Lake Reserve hence it is impossible to tell whether the whites are trespassing on the reserve or not. I have been informed that in trials before courts of justice the evidence is so conflicting as to where the lines run that it is useless to try to obtain a conviction for trespassing. Some of the Indians residing on Pyramid Lake Reserve claim that the original survey of land allotted to them prior to 1865 included Winnemucca or what is better known here as Mud Lake. If this should be the fact and so established by a new survey it would be of great benefit to these Indians pecuniarily as they would then have the exclusive right to fish upon Pyramid and Mud Lakes which are both fed by the waters of the Truckee River. As it is now Chinamen monopolize Mud Lake and at times overstock the fish market to the detriment of the Indians fishing on Pyramid Lake."
  • Nevada State Journal, November 12, 1887. "Fishing has commenced in earnest at Mud Lake."
  • Hattori and Tuohy (see above) state that there was a Chinese fishing camp on the Western shore around 1880 when the depth was about 26m.
  • Sally Zanjani "Sarah Winnemucca," p. 259, 2004. The Paiutes evicted a colony of Chinese because they attempted to seize a portion of the commercial fishery upon which the Paiute's depended.
  • Justin R. Foley, "In Defense of Self: Identity and Place in Pyramid Lake Paiute History," states that the Paiute sheriff mentioned that there was a Chinese fishing camp at the southeast portion of Winnemucca Lake where the Chinese were taking fish for profit, even though the Paiute themselves could not get commercial fishing permits for that location. Foley cites Shaw Harnar 1974, 56-59, which is Nellie Shaw Harnar, "The History of the Pyramid Lake Indians, 1843-1959 and Early Tribal History, 1825-1834," 1974. Also located at the southeast edge of the lake is Gibson.
  • Omer C. Stewart, "The Northern Paiute Bands," University of California Anthropological Records, p. 140, Volume 2, 1939, states that Chinese were reported at the lake in "Ind. Aff. Rep., 1885 147.", which is presumably Gibson's report.
  • Robert K. Vierra, "Winnemucca Lake: The Evidence for A Chinese Commercial Fishing Economy," Nevada Archaeologist, Volume 29, 2016

See Also

  • Jenny Creek - Drains in to the north end of Winnemucca Lake
  • Needle Rock - Pillar located at the north end of Winnemucca Lake
  • Nugent Springs - Located in the Lake Range, the west of Winnemucca Lake.
  • Gibson - historical location at the south end of Winnemucca Lake
  • Goose Spring - Spring located on the east shore
  • Russell Peak - Located on the south east shore.