Nyala, Nevada
Encyclopedia
Nyala is an unincorporated community in the Railroad Valley
of Nye County, Nevada
at the northwestern base of the Quinn Canyon Range.
Known variously as Mormon Well or Polygamy Well, the site was a watering hole for travelers through Railroad Valley as early as the 1860s. Because of its supply of water the site not only became an important stop on the Midland Trail
, but was also alluring as a base of operations for agricultural pursuits.
Herman and Alvena Reischke arrived to the Mormon Well area in 1913 to develop ranching property and soon expanded their business interests, opening a boardinghouse, restaurant, and general store; a small settlement developed around them, and on February 5, 1914 the community was granted a post office under the name Nyala.
The Reischke property changed hands in 1917 and again prior to 1913 when it was acquired by George Sharp. Sharp closed down the services in Nyala, and the post office was discontinued on January 15, 1936.
The origin of the name cannot be determined with certainty: Helen S. Carlson (Nevada Place Names) draws the conclusion that the name is a permutation Nye, from Nye County, whereas according to Shawn Hall (Preserving the Glory Days, p. 107) the name Nyala was suggested by Alvena Reischke after being smitten by a photograph of a nyala antelope
.
Railroad Valley
Railroad Valley is one of the Central Nevada Desert Basins in the Tonopah Basin and is ~80 miles long north-south and up to 20 miles wide, with some southern areas running southwest to northeast. The southern end of the valley begins near Gray Top Mountain and stretches north all the way to...
of Nye County, Nevada
Nye County, Nevada
-National protected areas:* Ash Meadows National Wildlife Refuge* Death Valley National Park * Humboldt-Toiyabe National Forest * Spring Mountains National Recreation Area -Demographics:...
at the northwestern base of the Quinn Canyon Range.
Known variously as Mormon Well or Polygamy Well, the site was a watering hole for travelers through Railroad Valley as early as the 1860s. Because of its supply of water the site not only became an important stop on the Midland Trail
Midland Trail
For the trail's section in West Virginia see: The Midland Trail in West Virginia.The Midland Trail, also called the Roosevelt Midland Trail, was a national auto trail spanning the United States from Washington, D.C...
, but was also alluring as a base of operations for agricultural pursuits.
Herman and Alvena Reischke arrived to the Mormon Well area in 1913 to develop ranching property and soon expanded their business interests, opening a boardinghouse, restaurant, and general store; a small settlement developed around them, and on February 5, 1914 the community was granted a post office under the name Nyala.
The Reischke property changed hands in 1917 and again prior to 1913 when it was acquired by George Sharp. Sharp closed down the services in Nyala, and the post office was discontinued on January 15, 1936.
The origin of the name cannot be determined with certainty: Helen S. Carlson (Nevada Place Names) draws the conclusion that the name is a permutation Nye, from Nye County, whereas according to Shawn Hall (Preserving the Glory Days, p. 107) the name Nyala was suggested by Alvena Reischke after being smitten by a photograph of a nyala antelope
Nyala
The Nyala is a Southern African antelope. It is a spiral-horned dense-forest antelope that is uncomfortable in open spaces and is most often seen at water holes. Nyalas live alone or in small family groups of up to 10 individuals.The male stands up to 110 cm , the female is up to 90 cm ...
.