Potosi Mountain (Nevada) facts for kids
Quick facts for kids Potosi Mountain |
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View from the east
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| Highest point | |
| Elevation | 8,517 ft (2,596 m) NAVD 88 |
| Prominence | 3,012 ft (918 m) |
| Geography | |
| Location | Clark County, Nevada, U.S. |
| Parent range | Spring Mountains |
| Topo map | USGS Potosi |
Potosi Mountain is a mountain located about 30 miles (48 km) southwest of Las Vegas. It is in the Spring Mountains of Clark County, Nevada, in the United States.
People also call this mountain Double Up Mountain or Olcott Peak. The mountain is mostly made of a type of rock called limestone.
Contents
Discovering Potosi Mountain's Past
Early Uses of the Mountain
Long ago, in the mid-1800s, the Chemehuevi people used a large cave on Potosi Mountain. Their spiritual leaders, called shamans, went there for special journeys. These journeys were called vision quests.
Mining History
Some people think that Spanish missionaries might have started silver mines here. However, there are no clear records to prove this.
In 1855, settlers from the Mormon church found rich deposits of lead and other metals. The person in charge of the Mormon mine likely named it Potosi. He probably named it after his hometown, Potosi, Wisconsin, which was also a mining town. That town was named after a very famous silver mine in Bolivia called Cerro Potosí.
The area on the west side of Potosi Mountain became known as the Potosi Mining District. This district was important for producing lead and silver.
A Sad Event in History
Potosi Mountain was also the place where a plane crash happened. On January 16, 1942, TWA Flight 3 crashed there. Sadly, 22 people lost their lives in this accident. A famous actress named Carole Lombard was among those who passed away.
Potosi Mountain's Role in Broadcasting
Radio Station Home
Potosi Mountain is a very important place for FM radio in Las Vegas. Many full-power FM stations send their signals from the top of Potosi. There are seven main FM stations and one FM translator.
These stations include:
- KNPR 88.9
- KCNV 89.7
- KOMP 92.3
- KYMT 93.1
- KXPT 97.1 (all licensed to Las Vegas)
- KVPH 104.3 (licensed to North Las Vegas)
- KXTE 107.5 (licensed to Pahrump, Nevada)
There is also a translator station, K276BL, on 103.1. It broadcasts the same programs as KSOS 90.5 from Las Vegas.
First HD Digital Broadcast
KXTE was the first radio station to broadcast from Potosi Mountain. It was also the first station in the United States to use HD Digital broadcasting. This technology makes radio sound much clearer.
Other Broadcasts
An amateur television repeater is also located here. It has the call sign N7ZEV. This allows amateur radio users to send TV signals over longer distances.
The mountain also hosts a NOAA All Hazards Radio station, WNG634. This station broadcasts important weather and hazard alerts on 162.400 MHz. The National Weather Service office in Las Vegas manages it.
