Not far from Las Vegas, Pahrump has been home to settlers of many ethnicities and backgrounds for centuries. Today, the 25,000 residents, as of the 2000 census, organize annual events to celebrate the town's history.
Pahrump is an unincorporated town at the southeast tip of Nye County, which sits on the southern border of Nevada. Located in a desert Valley, Pahrump is the eastern gateway into Death Valley National Park. It is less than an hour's drive from Las Vegas.
The town's name comes from "Pah-Rimpi," which means "water rock" in the native Shoshone. The wells in the valley's rock walls provided irrigation for the numerous cattle and cotton ranches that sprung up in the area in the early 20th century. The remains of these ranches and the related ghost towns are a highlight for history-loving tourists. The Pahrump Valley Museum includes exhibits on these early farmers, as well as Native American artifacts.
A nod to the its time as the heart of the old west, the Wild West Extravaganza includes hoedowns, Pony Express rides and gun fights in a frontier town replica. Traveling further back in time, the annual Social Powwow showcases native tribal dances, drumming, crafts and food.
