Statehood 1864

Nevada

The area that became Nevada was part of the Mexican province of Alta California until Mexico ceded it to the United States in the Treaty of Guadalupe Hidalgo in 1848 after the Mexican–American War. Following the cession, the region was incorporated into the western Utah Territory and was known as Washoe, after the native Washoe people, with small Mormon settlements existing along the Utah border. The Territory of Nevada was organized on March 2, 1861, separated from Utah Territory due to political differences and animosity between non-Mormons in Nevada and Mormons from the rest of Utah Territory. Nevada became the 36th state on October 31, 1864, with statehood rushed to help ensure electoral votes for Abraham Lincoln's reelection.

Statehood
1864
Historic sites
395
Military engagements
90

Pre-contact era

The area that became Nevada was home to native peoples including the Washoe people, after whom the region was known as 'Washoe' prior to the creation of the Nevada Territory. The source text does not provide extensive detail on pre-contact indigenous history beyond this reference to the Washoe people and the region's harsh but rich environment that shaped its history and culture.

Colonial history

Most of the ceded area was part of the Mexican province of Alta California (Upper California). The source does not detail the extent or effectiveness of Spanish administration over the Nevada area specifically.

Mexico controlled the ceded territories with considerable local autonomy. The Mexican government sent few troops from central Mexico to suppress revolts in the area.

Prior to the creation of the Nevada Territory, the area was part of western Utah Territory and was known as Washoe, after the native Washoe people. Small Mormon settlements existed along the border of Utah before 1858.

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Explore Nevada records

395
National Register historic sites
National Register listings ›
90
Military engagements
Military history records ›
8
Indigenous groups
Heritage records ›
7
Colonial-era events
1492 to early statehood ›
Nevada counties
Census population history ›
Sources

State history content adapted from Wikipedia under the Creative Commons Attribution-ShareAlike 4.0 International License. Historic sites data: National Register of Historic Places, National Park Service (public domain).

About Nevada

When did Nevada become a state?
Nevada was admitted to the Union in 1864.
What European powers colonized Nevada?
The territory that became Nevada passed through several colonial periods. Most of the ceded area was part of the Mexican province of Alta California (Upper California). The source does not detail the extent or effectiveness of Spanish administration over the Nevada area specifically. Mexico controlled the ceded territories with considerable local autonomy. The Mexican government sent few troops from central Mexico to suppress revolts in the area. Prior to the creation o
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