RonnieAdventure #0138 - Crystal Springs, Lincoln County, Nevada

A Nevada State Historical Marker at the Junction of State Routes 318 and 375 indicates that this location was a principal stopover campsite and watering place for the early pioneers that used the Mormon Trail Alternative Route on their trip west. Crystal Springs flows year-round and is a reliable water source, which is not true for many springs found in desert locations.

In 1865 silver was discovered in the area, so it was proposed that Lincoln County be created with Crystal Springs as the provisional county seat. With the intention of organizing a new county, Governor Blasdel and a delegation of about 20 people arrived at Crystal Springs in 1866, but found that the region lacked the number of voters necessary to form a new county. About a year later, Lincoln County was formed with the provisional county seat located in Hiko, which is about 4 miles north of Crystal Springs.

The water still flows at Crystal Springs, but the settlers that once lived near the springs moved to other locations and Crystal Springs is now considered to be a ghost town site. A water retention dam is the only improvement that still remains at the site.

The junction of State Highways 318/375 and U.S. Highway 93 is located about ½ mile east of Crystal Springs, which also happens to be the location of the E-T-Fresh Jerky Store. Actually, it is the only store located at the junction.

The store sells a variety of nuts, dehydrated fruits, and E-T souvenirs, along with offering free toxic waste samples (at least that is what the sign says). There are reported to be many strange forces in this area and there are painted murals located outside of the store that depict various historical events. 

Located about one mile west of the junction is the Extraterrestrial Research Center, which contains a research laboratory, museum and gift shop. The Research Laboratory is off-limits and closed except for authorized personnel, but the museum and gift shop are open and free to the public. However, when the security guard was not looking I did manage to sneak into the Research Laboratory/Evidence Room through a back door that was unlocked and take a few quick pictures.

When we inquired about road conditions going west on State Highway 375, we were advised against taking that road because it is 150 miles to the next gas station and there have been a number of strange sighting and incidents along that stretch of the road. The Research Center advises people that must use the road traveling west, to travel in caravans and never travel at night if you want to reach your destination safely!

I could still hear those words ringing in my ears as I turned my vehicle west onto Nevada State Highway 375, with no other people or vehicles in sight. (Did I mention that Highway 375 runs along the north side of the Federal Government's Top Secret Area 51 and Nevada State Highway 375 is known as the "Extraterrestrial Highway?”) Time for a RonnieAdventure!