Chief Tecopa
(Peacemaker of the Paiutes)

"This is just an odd marker. The setting, the placement, everything about it. Something is missing, and I'm not sure what. Tecopa's historic marker seems a bit intrusive and doesn't at all blend in with its surroundings. I have many ideas for this one, but they'd probably be heard on deaf ears. #171 conquered." -- March 2009

Inside Chief Tecopa Cemetery, E. 3rd St. -- Pahrump

Nye
36.208890, -115.989260

Original Date Visited: 3/14/09
Signed: No

Notes: We can be grateful that Marker 171 exists in honoring the ambassador that was Chief Tecopa. Plus, without this one, you'd really have no reason to visit Pahrump!

Finding the cemetery is probably the trickiest thing to conquering this marker, but it's been made easier in recent years with signage to the cemetery from SR 160.

- Access Pahrump's main intersection at SR 160 and SR 372, then head west on SR 372. About 1/4 mile later, look to your right to find S. East St. From here, look for the sign pointing east onto E. 3rd St. Follow E. 3rd to the parking lot. You'll need to park and walk into the cemetery for this one. Of course, with this being an active cemetery, Nye Sheriffs have made it a routine to patrol the cemetery past sundown. During my last visit, a security officer crawled past me in his pickup as I was taking pictures of the marker. Marker 171 will be found in the far northeast corner of the cemetery.

Street View

Here's what you'll see!

Marker 171 in Chief Tecopa Cemetery Kudos to the SHPO for honoring Chief Tecopa Was his misspelling intentional? Chief Tecopa, circa 1915

Exact Description:
Chief Tecopa was a young man when the first white man came to southern Nevada. As the leader of the Southern Paiute tribe, he fought with vigor to save their land and traditional way of life. He soon realized, however, that if his people were to survive and prosper, he would have to establish peace and learn to live in harmony with the foreigners.

During his life-span, which covered almost the entire 19th century, his energy and time were devoted to the betterment of his people.

Chief Tecopa is honored for the peaceful relations he maintained between the Southern Paiute Indians and the white men who came to live among them.