Sarah Winnemucca Hopkins
(1844-1891)

"The moment I am about to leave I am greeted by the largest herd of wild horses I have ever seen (maybe sixty)! ...And, I'm writing this in lieu of taking pictures because my battery is dead. Figures. While I sit here watching these mustangs, I'm being attended by watchful eyes of both the horses and the people who live here. I hope both of them know I am only trying to represent their peaceful home up here in the best possible way ..." -- August 2008


[143]       

At the Tribal HQ, McDermitt Indian Reservation, 7.5 miles SE of McDermitt

Humboldt
  41.972502, -117.622670


Original Date Visited: 8/28/09
Signed: No


A Marker On The Edge of Nevada

Most people have no idea of this marker's existence thanks to a lack of signage along US 95. I guess NDOT figured that people would find it some way or another when exploring these far northern nooks of Nevada.

- Start by looking out for a green pointer sign that reads "Tribal Offices, Health Services" from US 95, approximately 3 miles south of McDermitt. (This is what you'll see below from the highway.)

Keep in mind that this road, although paved, is signed as "North Road" from the highway. The Benchmark ("Big Black") Atlas lists this road as "North Reservation Road," while Google notes it as "N Rd.") By whatever name, turn left here and follow this road east for 5 miles and you will eventually come to the intersection below.

[143]

Turn right and you'll see this. Look very carefully. Can you spot the marker?

[143]

In approximately 1/4 mile, you'll find the marker at the driveway entrance to the Fort McDermitt Tribal HQ, well away from the crowds in a very quiet, peaceful setting quite symbolic of Sarah Winnemucca. There is a small parking spot here to avoid blocking the driveway.

Exact Description:
The northern Paiute name Thocmetony (Shell-Flower) was bestowed on this valiant daughter of Chief Winnemucca and grandchild of the redoubtable Captain Truckee--a friend and supporter of General John C. Fremont. Sarah sought understanding between her people and whites when the latter trekked across and settled on Indian homelands. By lecturing, by writing a book (presumably the first in English by an Indian woman) and by founding a non-government school for Indian children, she worked tirelessly to remedy injustice and to advocate peace. Here at Fort McDermitt as interpreter and teacher she served well both Indians and the U.S. military. This exceptional Indian woman, a leader of her race, believed in the brotherhood of mankind.


This one honors the amazingly influencial Paiute Princess herself.


Sarah Winnemucca: Untold History


Interstate 95 Roadtrip
 COVERED IN US 95 ROAD TRIP


   Marker Superlative

- 143 - is the first historical marker on southbound US 95.


Next Marker

FORT MCDERMITT


Related Links & Markers:

 - 146 - McDermitt Indian Reservation (Northern Paiute)   - 147 - People of the Humboldt   - 148 - Two Battles of Pyramid Lake   Sarah Winnemucca (Biography)   Sarah Winnemucca (Online Nevada Encyclopedia) 

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