Mesquite and the Virgin ValleyThe lower Virgin River basin is located about 10 miles south of the border junction between what is now Nevada, Arizona, and Utah. Early explorers told of blistering heat, disease-carrying insects, and scarce, evil-tasting water. But in 1877, the valley offered a haven to a small group of Mormon families who sought to live and practice their religious convictions, settling in Bunkerville on the south side of the Virgin River. On the north side, the struggle to establish Mesquite started in 1880. The third attempt in 1894 was successful after years of merciless floods. Residents have survived a hostile environment, geographic isolation, political gerrymandering, and in the middle of the last century, dangerous radiation fallout from atomic testing. Deep sand roads have given way to a bustling interstate highway, and the area has become a golf and gaming destination. After incorporation in 1984, Mesquite experienced a boom and has been named the fastest growing city of its size in the United States. |
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Mesquite and the Virgin Valley Geraldine White Zarate,Virgin Valley Historical Committee Limited preview - 2010 |
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Abbott alfalfa Arrowhead Trail Barnum became bridge building built cabins Café canal Clareen Clark County Claudia Leavitt constructed corner of Willow Courtesy of Claudia Courtesy of Dorothy Courtesy of Hazel Courtesy of Jerry Courtesy of Pete crops Dorothy Thurston Dudley Leavitt early settlers Edward Bunker farm Faye flood Frehner George golf courses Granger grew Hafen Hardy hauled Hazel White Highway 91 Hughes and Sons Interstate 15 Jerry Pulsipher John David John Jensen Las Vegas later left to right Lew Pulsipher Lincoln County Littlefield lived lumber married Mesquite and Bunkerville Mesquite Boulevard Moapa Mormon motel mountains Nephi Johnson Nevada Pete Clayton photograph shows photograph taken road rock Samuel Reber sand hills second row seen service station shown Southern Utah teacher tourist town travelers U.S. Highway 91 Utah Valley High School Vegas Virgin River Virgin Valley High wagon washed Western Village White Steeple Church wife young