Mormon Well Spring facts for kids

Mormon Well Spring is a special place located in the Desert National Wildlife Range in Nevada. It's a natural spring that has been important for a very long time. This site is so important that it's listed on the National Register of Historic Places in the United States. This means it's a place worth protecting because of its history.

Today, Mormon Well Spring helps provide water for many animals. The Bureau of Land Management (BLM) has even built structures there to make it easier for wildlife to drink.

The History of Mormon Well Spring

Mormon Well Spring has a rich history that goes back many centuries. It was a vital water source for different groups of people and animals.

Ancient Uses by Native Americans

Long before it was used for ranching, Mormon Well Spring was a significant spot for Native American people. Groups like the Southern Paiute used this spring for hundreds of years. They likely visited the spring from around 1000 AD all the way up to 1900 AD. It was a crucial place for survival in the desert.

Ranching and Modern Use

Later, from about 1900 to 1924, Mormon Well Spring was used for ranching. Ranchers relied on the spring to water their livestock in the dry desert environment.

Because of its long and important history, Mormon Well Spring was officially added to the National Register of Historic Places on December 24, 1974. This listing helps make sure the spring and its history are preserved for future generations.