In the early 1800s, Spanish explorers marveled at the abundant water in the desert place they called Las Vegas.

American adventurer John C. Fremont noted the two narrow streams of clear water, four or five feet deep which gush suddenly with a quick current from two singular large springs.

The Territory of Nevada was created by an Act of congress, signed by President James Buchanan and became effective March 2, 1861. President Abraham Lincoln appointed James W. Nye of New York as Nevada's first Territorial Governor.

The Origin of the State's name, Nevada, is Spanish, which means; snow-capped.

On October 31, 1864, President Lincoln proclaimed Nevada's admission to the Union as the 36th state, the creation of the Nevada Territory, and its admission to the Union, were related to both the Civil War and the mineral wealth of the Comstock Lode. During the next 75 years, many mining towns flourished, if only briefly all over the state. Since 1931, tourism, particularly entertainment and legalized gaming, have become increasingly important to Nevada's economy. Mining also has rebounded in recent years, and Nevada now produces more gold than any other state. Federal legislation enacted in 1986 created the Great Basin National Park, the only national park in the state, which includes the area around Wheeler Peak and Lehman Caves in eastern Nevada.

Old Nevada State Song: Way out in the land of the sun, Where the wind blows wild and free, There's a lovely spot, just the only one That means home sweet home to me. If you follow the old Kit Carson trail, Until desert meets the hills, Oh, you certainly will agree with me, It's the place of a thousand thrills,

In 1933, the Legislature adopted "Home Means Nevada" as the official state song. Mrs. Bertha Raffetto of Reno wrote the song to honor the state. The refrain of the song goes as follows:

"Home" means Nevada, "Home" means the hills, "Home" means the sage and the pines. Out by the Truckee's silvery rills. Out where the sun always shines. There is a land that I love the best, fairer than all I can see. Right in the heart of the golden west. "Home" means Nevada to me.

State Metal:
Silver.

State colors:
Silver and Blue.

Nevada Nicknames:
Sagebrush State, Silver State, Battle-Born State.

State Artifact:
The Tule Duck was created by early Nevadans almost 2,000 years ago. Discovered by archeologists in 1924 during an excavation at Lovelock Cave, the 11 decoys are each formed of bundle of bullrush (tule) stems, bound together and shaped to resemble a canvasback duck.

State Fossil:
The Ichthyosaur (Shonisarus) fossil was found in Berlin, east of Gabbs. Nevada is the only state to possess a complete skeleton (approximately 55 feet long) of this extinct marine reptile.

State Bird:
The Mountain Bluebird (Sialia currucoids) lives in the Nevada high country and destroys many harmful insects. It is a member of the thrush family and its song is a clear, short warble like the caroling of a robin, The male is azure blue with a white belly, while the female is brown with a bluish rump, tail, and wings.

State Animal:
The Desert Bighorn (or Nelson) Sheep (Ovis canadensis nelsoni) is smaller than its Rocky Mountain cousin but has a wider spread of horns. The bighorn is well-suited for Nevada's mountainous desert country because it can survive for long periods without water. The large rams stand about 4 ½ feet tall and can weigh as weigh as much as 175 pounds.
The Lahontan Cutthrout trout (Salmo clarki henshawi), a native trout found in 14 of the state's 17 counties, is adapted to habitats ranging from high mountain creeks and alpine lakes to warm, intermittent lowland streams and alkaline lakes where no other trout can live.

State Reptile:
The Desert Tortoise (Gopherus agassizii), the largest retile in the Southwestern united States, lives in the extreme southern parts of Nevada, Its hard, dome-shaped shell ranges from tan to black in color. This reptile spends much of its life in underground burrows to escape the harsh summer heat and winter cold. The desert tortoise can live to be more than 70 years old.

State Flower:
Sagebrush (Artemisia tridentata) grows abundantly in the deserts of the Western United States. A member of the wormwood family, sagebrush is a branching bush (1 to 12 feet high) and grows in regions where other kinds of vegetation cannot subsist. Known for its pleasant aroma, it's pleasant aroma, its gray-green twigs, and pale yellow flowers. Sagebrush is an important winter food for sheep and cattle.

State Trees:
The Single-Leaf Pinon (Pinus monophlla) is an aromatic pine tree with short, stiff needles and gnarled branches. The tree grows in coarse, rocky soils and rock crevices. Though its normal height is about 15 feet, the single-leaf pinon can grow as high as 50 feet under ideal conditions.

State Grass-:
Indian Ricegrass (Oryzopsis hymenoides), once a staple food sources for Nevada Indians, now provides valuable fee for wildlife and range livestock. This tough native grass, which is found throughout the state, is known for its ability to reseed and establish itself on sites damaged by fire or over grazing.

State Rock:
Sandstone, in its more traditionally recognized form or as quartzite, is found throughout the state, In areas such as the Valley of Fire state Park and red rock Canyon Recreational Lands, both near Las Vegas, it provides some of Nevada's most spectacular scenery. The State Capitol, and the former United States Mint, is built of sandstone.

State Precious Gemstone:
Among the many gemstones found in Nevada, the Virgin Valley Black Fire Opal is one of the most beautiful. The Virgin Valley in northern Nevada is the only place in North America where the Black Fire Opal is found in any significant quantity.