Seeking to open a land route between Tucson and California, Fray Francisco Garces was the first European to enter Nevada. By the end of February, 1776, he had reached the Mohave Villages located a few miles southeast of this location on the Arizona bank of the Colorado River. The Franciscan father traveled alone in areas never before seen by a white man. Relying on Indian guides, he walked from village to village. The Mohaves agreed to lead him to the coast along a trail used for trade purposes. On March 4, 1776, accompanied by four natives, Garces crossed the Colorado River and reached the San Gabriel (California) Mission 20 days later. His route followed a much older prehistoric trail used to bring shells and other trade goods to the tribes of the mountain and desert West.

He was the first European to enter Nevada.

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