Lost City of St. Thomas NV
Just south of Overton Nevada barely inside Lake Mead Recreational Area is the lost city of St.Thomas. Once a thriving little community of between four and five hundred people alongside the Virgin and Muddy rivers confluence. Lost you are thinking, how could that be? In 1938 these residents were forced to abandon their town due to the rising waters created by the Hoover dam in LasVegas some 50 miles to the south. Submerged by over 40 feet of water for over 60 years, these homes foundation can now be seen due the drought that has seen Lake Mead drop by over 50 feet in recent years.
There is a clearly marked and easy trail to walk among these old foundations. The walk is a bout two and a half miles round trip on relatively flat surface. It seems a little eerie walking amongst the foundations and road beds, seeing sea shells lying about every where you look. It is hard to imagine living in this area when it was in its prime. Ground water must have been plentiful back then as evidenced by the number of wells at each foundation location. From what I read these people were mostly farmers. Planting crops near the river with easy access to water for their crops.
If you are lucky you might see a wild burrow walking around the old river bottom. If you have some spare time on your hands and like visiting history I strongly recommend this easy walk.
On your way back through Overton stop by the Lost City Museum if you have further interest in the town of St. Thomas.
Written by
Buck Schaeffel
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