[86]       

Tule Springs (Archeological Site)

Las Vegas & Clark County
  36.32246, -115.26877

"Haha. The young kid working at the kiosk wasn't too thrilled about me entering the park without payment. Nor should I. The park is going to close in about ten minutes. It isn't much to look at anyway. Some shade trees, a lush green lawn. Some picnic tables, a group pavilion. Nothing I can't see at home. Even the ponds, as important and ancient as they are, are completely lined with tules, making them mostly inaccessible from shore except for the few patches of empty dirt, which of course, are occupied by young fishermen. Somehow I expecting something a bit more "primordial," or at the very least, a bit more authentic considering this ground has been inhabited by early man since 1100AD. I'm glad I didn't have to pay the insane $7 entrance fee for something I can see at home." -- Journal Entry, March 2009

In Floyd Lamb Park, 2 miles east of US 95 -- North Las Vegas
 * Use Exit 93 (N. Durango Drive) from US 95, north on N. Durango Dr, then east to Brent Ln *

Original Date Visited: 3/17/09

Signed: Considering this isn't a state highway, it's rare to see historic marker signage on urban streets. One sign stands on northbound Durango Drive just before Brent Drive.

Notes: Floyd Lamb State Park was recently truncated to the City of Las Vegas and for some reason the city kept the park's fee system. Yes, this is a "pay-to-play" park and a fee is required to enter Floyd Lamb. IF the booth is being tended tell the ranger that you're only here to, "view the marker by the pond." If the rangers still refuse, save yourself the trouble and come here about thirty minutes before closing. (I'll refrain from spoiling the surprise.) Otherwise, the entrance fee for Floyd Lamb Park is $7.00 per vehicle. Be aware that the park does have strict hours from 8am to sunset year-round.

  • [86] Marker 86 and Floyd Lamb Park
  • [86] Marker 86 in North Las Vegas

Exact Description:
Tule Springs is one of the few sites in the U.S. where evidence suggest the presence of man before 11,000 B.C.

Scientific evidence shows this area, once covered with sagebrush and bordered with yellow-pine forests, had many springs. These springs were centers of activity for both big game animals and human predators. Evidence found at these fossil springs shows the presence, 14,000 to 11,000 years ago, of several extinct animals--the ground sloth, mammoth, prehistoric horse and American camel. The first Nevada record of the extinct giant condor comes from Tule Springs.

Early man, perhaps living in the valley as early as 13,000 years ago and definitely present 11,000 years ago, was a hunter of the big game.

Small populations of Desert Culture people, about 7,000 years ago to the historic period, depended upon vegetable foods and small game for subsistence.

Late Pleistocene geological stratigraphy in few other areas is as complete and well known.

[86]

Marker 86 just north of Las Vegas. The ugly, barren hills in the b.g. showcase some of the oldest fossils on earth.

Next Marker:

SAVAGE MANSION (C.1863)

Related Links & Markers:

[103] -- Gypsum Cave    Tule Springs Fossil Beds Nat'l Monument (NPS) 

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