A Few of FR's Finest....Every Day....08-22-03....Nevada - "Battle Born"

Mama_Bear

[Mama_Bear]

A Few of FR's Finest....Every Day

Free Republic made its debut in September, 1996, and the forum was added in early 1997.   Over 100,000 people have registered for posting privileges on Free Republic, and the forum is read daily by tens of thousands of concerned citizens and patriots from all around the country and the world.

A Few of FR's Finest....Every Day was introduced on June 24, 2002. It's only a small room in JimRob's house where we can get to know one another a little better; salute and support our military and our leaders; pray for those in need; and congratulate those deserving. We strive to keep our threads entertaining, fun, and pleasing to look at, and often have guest writers contribute an essay, or a profile of another FReeper.

On Mondays please visit us to see photos of A FEW OF FR'S VETERANS AND ACTIVE MILITARY

If you have a suggestion, or an idea, or if there's a FReeper you would like to see featured, please drop one of us a note in FR mail.

We're having fun and hope you are!
~ Billie, Mama_Bear, dansangel, dutchess, Aquamarine, FreeTheHostages ~

It's FRiday and we hope you will join us once again as we take a cyber-tour of another state in this great Union of ours. As we present and celebrate each of our 50 states we also salute the proud FReepers who call their state 'home'. Over the coming months each "Finest" hostess will profile her own home state - I will be presenting all the others in random order. Please FReepMail me if you would like to participate in spotlighting your state. I would love to have your insight and input on what you would like to see highlighted.

To date I have presented Alabama, Maryland, Vermont and Utah, and Billie has taken us on a cyber-tour of her home state, Texas. Please join us today as we head back out west and visit "The Silver State".

In 1848 the United States acquired the land that was to become Nevada in the Treaty of Guadalupe Hidalgo, and on October 31st 1864 - Nevada became our 36th state. Since this was the time of the Civil War the state motto of "Battle Born" was adopted. The Union needed the minerals which were abundant in the state. As far back as 1857 many names were used to refer to the area that became Nevada, IE: Sierra Nevada Territory; Washoe Territory; Carson Territory; Eastern Slope; Humboldt; Esmeralda; Sierra Plata; Oro Plata and Bullion. But in 1864 the land emerged as "Nevada" a Spanish word meaning snow-covered. Nevada is also known as "The Sagebrush State".

C'mon along, let's explore old Nevada...

What I find most interesting about presenting the western states here at the 'Finest' is the history and lore of the "wild west". There is a certain mystique about the desert and the rugged men and women who trekked across this barren land searching for gold, silver, religious freedom, or the elusive "land of milk and honey" that promised to be just over the horizon.

(If you aren't into exploring and want to head straight for the casinos, scroll down. We'll catch up with you. (Just leave your cash and credit cards with me.) ;-)

Hardships and Tragedy
The stories recorded about the early pioneers and explorers of what is now the state of Nevada; Jedediah Smith, Captain John Freemont, Christopher "Kit" Carson, Antonio Armijo, and Joseph Walker, are fascinating studies in survival and fortitude. As history records, one of the most tragic incidents that took place during the migration west was in 1846 when the Donner-Reed Party, an ill-advised group of emigrants delayed their journey too long in the Truckee Meadows near the present-day City of Reno, Nevada. They subsequently became trapped in the heavy snows of the Sierra Nevada when they attempted to follow the "Hastings Cutoff" through the mountains into California. 47 out of 87 perished.

The Gold Rush
It is estimated that 22,500 settlers passed through the Truckee Meadows in 1849, then 45,000 in 1850 and up to 52,000 in 1852. Gold and silver prospectors began combing the barren lands of Northern Nevada. Towns began springing over night along the prospectors trails, many becoming ghost towns as the mines dried up. One of the most colorful towns to spring up during this time was Virginia City, made famous in recent years by the long running "Bonanza" TV show.

Virginia City and the Comstock Lode still maintain the flavor of the highfalutin mining days, when Mark Twain roamed the streets and everybody wanted a piece of the "Richest Place on Earth."

Carson City
Carson City was confirmed as Nevada's permanent capital with statehood in 1864, and development thereafter was no longer completely dependent on the health of the Comstock mines. Until they began to decline in the 1880s, these mines provided Carson City with most of its economic importance as a freight and staging center, and as a marshalling point for much of the timber harvest in the Lake Tahoe basin.



That was Nevada THEN,
this is Nevada NOW....

Now that we have had our brief history lesson for the day, let's hop in our limo and see the sights in Las Vegas.....

Casinos, casinos....EVERYWHERE!

From the tacky and garish to the truly elegant, one hotel casino after another lines the Las Vegas strip. There is no place on earth like it!






If you aren't into gambling you can surely find a pool to suit you. The Las Vegas hotels have some of the most beautiful pools in the world!


Or, there is always golf...



Before we leave Las Vegas...

An interesting bit of trivia.....The first mechanical slot machine, the Liberty Bell, was invented in 1895 by Charles Fey, a San Francisco mechanic. Fey's machine housed three spinning reels, each decorated with diamonds, spades, hearts and one cracked Liberty Bell per reel. When the bells lined up, they produced your biggest payoff: 10 nickels. The original Liberty Bell slot machine can be seen at the Liberty Belle Saloon & Restaurant in Reno.

Thank you to the following websites for
historical information and graphics....

"The Big Bonanza"
"Nevada's Past - A History Timeline"

I hope this quick trip through Nevada has been as interesting for you as it has for me. I also hope that I have presented a "Nevada" that is much more than neon lights and one-armed bandits. From the breathtaking grandeur of Lake Tahoe to the Pioneer and Las Vegas Territories in the south, Nevada is a state with beautiful parks and recreation....something for everyone.

Thank you for joining us today,
have a nice FRiday!

THIS WEEK'S THREADS 08-18-03...Military Monday 08-19-03...Finest Pets on Vacation 08-20-03...Freepercise 08-21-03...John's Two Cents

Opinions by our own 'King of Ping' The guy's good, folks!

Thanks, Mixer!

1) Click on the graphic to open the Calendar.
2) Once there you can click on any month and even click to the right to go into next year. Once you are in the month that you joined FR you will need to click on the number in the calendar and then an add item screen will come up.
3) In the next box enter your name in the "Calendar Text" field and then click on submit.
4) If any of the screens fail to load simply click on refresh in your browser and that will usually fix it.
5) If all else fails or simply if you want me to do this for you send me an FReepmail and I will gladly do it for you. ~Mixer

[Mama_Bear]

Thank you MEG. The history of the west is so interesting, isn't it?

I am looking forward to doing some of the states where the gunslingers and outlaws roamed, like Billy the Kid and Jesse James. They were common thugs and murders, but history and folklore has made them into bigger than life characters with an almost heroic appeal.

[dutchess]

Hi Lori. What a great post today. I did Vegas several years ago "with the girls" while the guys went on a golf vacation. (that was the last time they did that LOL...I think they were afraid we were having too much fun without them :o)...) Anyway...my favorite part of the trip was renting a car and driving through the mountains...over to Lake Mead etc. Thanks for another great lesson on the beautiful US of A!

[Molly Pitcher]

The humidity's starting to dissipate, mountaineer!

Friday afternoon greetings to all at the Finest thread....

[Mama_Bear]

Nice presentation of the Great State of Nevada.

Thank you, Diver.

You've never been to Nevada? And it's just over the mountains!

Lake Tahoe is beautiful country and probably only about 2 to 3 hours away from Modesto. You really need to go see it...(but not over the weekend of Sept 13th. We have dibs on you and your lovely wife for the Fresno FR Tailgate BBQ.) :-)

[Mama_Bear]

Hiya (((((((((dutchess!))))))))).

...my favorite part of the trip was renting a car and driving through the mountains...over to Lake Mead etc.

Did you get a chance to take the tour of Hoover Dam while you were there? Fascinating, although it was a bit creepy going down inside the dam, knowing all that concrete was towering above me. What a massive structure that is!

My grandparents used to vacation at Lake Mead and I treasure the memory-making times when I was able to go with them.

[FreeTheHostages]

Our very own Amy in Sin City? :::GASP::::

[Mama_Bear]

New Definitions

Thanks dixie. I love the definition of "Bozone"! That substance seems to be indigenous to this area. LOL.

[Mama_Bear]

Howdy, Mama_Bear! I have to commend you on getting this thread posted so early, especially being on the West Coast.

Well, thank you! It's a sacrifice I am more than willing to make for my friends........and well worth it. A commendation from Thin Man is quite an honor!

It puts a certain hostess (guess who) (hint..."howdy" is a clue) to shame. :-).

Hmmmmmmm.....I don't have a clue who you could be talking about. ;-)

Thanks also for your contribution of the Nevada laws. I love these archaic state laws that are still on the books. This one, "It's still "legal" to hang someone for shooting your dog on your property", sounds perfectly reasonable to me. :-)

[Mama_Bear]

Hi Molly! Happy FRiday to you. Hope you have a perfectly wonderful day.

[Mama_Bear]

Our very own Amy in Sin City? :::GASP::::

I know!! I'm thinking one of us should have tagged along to keep an eye on her. ;-)

[dixie sass]

Knew there was something - Good article about Nevada. Everytime I think of Vegas, culture shock sets in. Thankfully though, it is becoming less and less as the months roll by!!!!

[dixie sass]

That is the older version of John Edwards.

[Area51]

ROFL! Forgot about that! There is a freeper by that name too. I'll post a few pics of Area 51 before I run.

Umm, the only known pictures of me are not suitable for public viewing. Please refrain from attempting such a feat. Doing otherwise could very well end up causing late night visits, silicone chip implants and trips to the inspection table for you. ;)

Mama-bear- I spend most of my days in Michigan, and well the nights just fly by... :)

[Billie]

Coming back by the Finest to say hello - hope you've had a good day today, Dubya. :)

[Billie]

I'm sure glad our "calendar" is back - always fun to see the picture of the day. :)

[Billie]

What a sweet little beauty that Mountain bluebird is! I love hearing the birds' i>singing</i>, Cal!

[Billie]

Hi, Dave - we've been to Vegas a few times, but have never seen other parts of Nevada, so it was nice to get this cyber tour of the Nevada without the bright lights and slot machines!

[Billie]

Hi, Aqua! Are you having a good Friday? (Playing, Practicing, Studying?) :)

[Diver Dave]

You've never been to Nevada? And it's just over the mountains!

Nope... but I have been to Tulare. Does that count for anything? :) Haven't been to Yosemite either (low entertainment level).

[Mama_Bear]

Nope... but I have been to Tulare. Does that count for anything? :) Haven't been to Yosemite either (low entertainment level).

LOL. Hey, NO place has as low an entertainment level as Tulare. ;-)