William Davis

The Wadsworth / Columbus Freight Route: Its History and Archaeological Record William Davis

This is a detailed historic work which gives one a rare look at some unique freight wagon stations across the 1870s Nevada "Outback". There were remote mining camps strung across the treacherous ranges and playas which desperately needed provisions and mining machinery on a consistent basis. From the railhead at Wadsworth, Nevada to the terminus at the famed town of Columbus, heavy freight wagons, with their 16 and 20 horse teams, were able to supply all necessities to these towns. The route covered a total of 130 miles. After months of driving and walking the route the author was successful in completing the recordation and mapping of this unique wagon road. Thus, the many freighter stations along the route were all individually documented for the archives. Prior to this work, this route, along with its history and combined station documentation simply had not been done. An aura of great intrigue is felt when learning of the stations such as Big Adobe, Island City, Dead Horse Well and Benton's Fort. This work can only be seen as "a rare documentation" of a unique event in our western historical past. The author is an archaeologist/historian.