National Register Listing

Cold Springs Station Site

a.k.a. Rock Creek Stage Station

51 mi. W of Austin on U.S. 50, Austin, NV

From the site of Rock Creek Station one can view Edwards Creek Valley, the location of a sequence of history from prehistoric time, through the years of the station's existence, to the present.

Campsites, petroglyphs, and the nearby Eastgate caves indicate a span of habitation of at least 2,500 years of prehistory. Abundant grass and brush found near its spring and intermittent streams were important ecological areas for the Valley's prehistoric inhabitants. Shoshone Indians and their ancestors wandered seasonally to gather wild seeds and small game and settled here in winter camps. In late prehistoric times, Paiute Indians also lived in the valley.

Col. John Reese, a Salt Lake City businessman seeking a shorter route than the more Northern Humboldt Trail, passed through the valley en route from Salt Lake City to Carson Valley in 1854.

Major Howard Egan of the Mormon Battalion, a pioneer journalist, was sent by Mormon leader Brigham Young to scout for an overl and route westward from Salt Lake City. In September, 1855, he crossed from Salt Lake City to Sacramento, using a route through the valley which he had previously developed as a cattle trail. It became known as the Egan Route and was used for the next three years solely by pack trains.

In 1859 Captain James Simpson of the Corps of Topographic Engineers, explored and mapped a wide area, searching for a central route with more grass and water. At the conclusion of his work, he recommended the use of the Egan route for the entire distance.

The Pony Express came into being in 1860 to supply the critical need for communication between the east and the gold and silver mining areas in California and Nevada, The pony route crossed Edwards Creek Valley and a station was established at Cold Springs, 3 miles east of Rock Creek Station.

The Central Overland Express Company, providing space for freight and for passengers, began operating the same year and followed a similar route. The nominated site, Rock Creek Station was a stage station on the Central Overland Express route.

Local significance of the site:
Industry; Transportation; Communications

Listed in National Register of Historic Places in 1972.

The National Register of Historic Places is the official list of the Nation’s historic places worthy of preservation. Authorized by the National Historic Preservation Act of 1966, the National Park Service’s National Register of Historic Places is part of a national program to coordinate and support public and private efforts to identify, evaluate, and protect America’s historic and archeological resources.