The community of Panaca has a long
association with mining.
.
While most of the hard rock mining took place in the hills some twelve miles
distant to the north around Pioche, several mines were operated within its almost
immediate vicinity, as well. Despite the trials of
existence in the untamed region, commerce began in Panaca in 1864. During that
year an adobe and log fort was completed near the
Panaca Spring with the
cooperation of miners Sherwood and Vandermark. By 1868 Panaca already boasted a
lumber mill and gristmill and a near frame schoolhouse. However, this relative
level of peace and progress was short-lived.
The ever-growing enmity
between miners and settlers smoldered under the strain of land jumpers and then
burst into flame when a conflict arose over a boundary and taxes dispute. This
came to a head when by act of the Nevada legislature on February 26, 1866,
Lincoln County was created, but at that date Panaca still remained part of
Utah. Then on May 5, 1866 the US Congress shaved one degree between the 37th
and 42nd parallels from the Utah Territory and added it to eastern
Nevada. This extended Nevada to the 114th longitude west, its
present boundary. Therefore, Panaca, geographically and officially, became both
a part of the State of Nevada, and Lincoln County. Unfortunately, the boundary
line had not yet been surveyed and there was a question about exact location.
So, the settlers kept paying their taxes to Washington County, Utah. It was not
until 1872 that the matter was finally put to rest after much litigation, many
levied fines, and vain attempts to collect delinquent taxes.
North of Panaca in Meadow Valley, hovers Condor
Canyon where Indians used to camp. “This canyon” as described in a high school
essay by Jean Blad, “is about six miles in length, with red, towering
perpendicular rocky walls. At one point the walls come within 75 feet of each
other.” Through Condor Canyon the narrow gauge railroad between Pioche and
Bullionville was built. Later a spur of what is now the Union Pacific Railroad
was laid from Caliente to Pioche along much of this same route. John Dorrell
was one of the first engineers of the train.
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