Old Boundary (37th Parallel)
Nye County, Nye County, Nevada
Marker Inscription
Old Boundary. The 37th degree north latitude is marked at this point as the dividing line between the territories of Utah and New Mexico under the provisions of the Compromise of 1850 which originally organized the land ceded by Mexico in 1848.When the territory of Nevada was carved from western Utah in 1861, this line became the southern boundary of the new territory and continued to serve as such when the territory and state were enlarged by extensions to the east in 1862 and 1866 respectively.In 1867, the Nevada legislature approved the action of Congress to add that portion of the territory of Arizona which lay to the south of this line, west of the 114 west longitude and the Colorado River, and to the east of the boundary of California. This action, taken on January 18, 1867, gave the state of Nevada the permanent boundaries as they are today.
Erected by Nevada State Historic Preservation Office
The Story
This spot on the 37th parallel began as a line drawn on a national map: under the Compromise of 1850 it divided Utah and New Mexico territories organized from land Mexico ceded in 1848. When Nevada Territory was carved from western Utah in 1861, the parallel became its southern edge, holding firm through eastward enlargements in 1862 and 1866. A final act of Congress, ratified by Nevada's legislature on January 18, 1867, annexed the Arizona lands south to the Colorado River, fixing Nevada's borders as they stand today.
Why it matters
The marker records how abstract lines of latitude, drawn in the wake of the Mexican Cession, hardened into the permanent map of the American West.
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Related events
- · Compromise of 1850
- · Mexican Cession of 1848
- · Creation of Nevada Territory, 1861
Themes & tags
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