Pahrump, Nevada
From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
Pahrump is a town and census-designated place (CDP) in Nye County, Nevada, United States. The population was 24,631 at the 2000 census. The 2006 estimated population is 36,645. [1] The town's motto is "Heart of the New Old West".
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[edit] History
Originally inhabited by the Shoshone, it was discovered and slowly inhabited by American settlers in the late 19th century. They reportedly chose the name for the valley which Pahrump is named after from the original indigenous name Pah-Rimpi, or "Water Rock," so named because of the abundant artesian wells in the valley. Because of these artesian wells, the new inhabitants of Pahrump Valley began a number of large ranch-style holdings, mostly over 1000 acres (4 km²) in size. On these ranches, alfalfa, cotton, and livestock were raised.
Until the 1960s, Pahrump had no telephone service and there were no paved roads in or out of the Pahrump Valley. However, as Las Vegas grew, real estate speculation became more popular in the area, which led to increased interest in Pahrump. This led to the introduction of telephone service and the construction of a paved highway, from Las Vegas to Pahrump, during the late 1960s. Later, this road was extended from Pahrump northward to US 95, near Amargosa Valley. A second paved road was introduced that went from Pahrump to neighboring Shoshone, California, which provided a link to the Death Valley area, as well as a shorter route to those wishing to travel to Los Angeles or other areas in California. In 1974 Pahrump's first high school was constructed.
Since the late 1970s, Pahrump has grown almost exponentially, increasing from about 2000 residents in 1980 to almost 25,000 in 2000. Pahrump is a prototypical example of an exurb. Almost all significant agriculture has ceased in the valley, and the surface aquifers have been filled up over the years. Pahrump has also attracted a number of interesting people, including paranormal talk radio host Art Bell, along with a number of individuals with stronger libertarian political beliefs than most. The Frontsight Firearms Training Academy [2] is located in Pahrump.
Similar to many communities in Nevada, Pahrump has a "semi-incorporated" town status, with a limited government that manages land use planning, recreation, and fire, while leaving most services to Nye County.
On November 15, 2006, the Pahrump town board voted for an ordinance declaring English the official language of business, forbidding the display of foreign flags and denying any benefits to illegal aliens. A measure in the ordinance requires an American flag to be displayed above any other flag, regardless of what organization, nation or government it represents.
[edit] Geography
Pahrump is located at (36.208669, -116.012071)GR1.
According to the United States Census Bureau, the CDP has a total area of 771.5 km² (297.9 mi²). 771.5 km² (297.9 mi²) of it is land and none[citation needed] of it is covered by water.
Pahrump Valley Wilderness is in California and is not part of the Pahrump Valley in Nevada.
[edit] Demographics
As of the censusGR2 of 2000, there were 24,631 people, 10,153 households, and 7,127 families residing in the CDP. The population density was 31.9/km² (82.7/mi²). There were 11,651 housing units at an average density of 15.1/km² (39.1/mi²). The racial makeup of the CDP was 91.02% White, 1.30% African American, 1.29% Native American, 0.85% Asian, 0.37% Pacific Islander, 2.27% from other races which includes Latin Americans, and 2.89% from two or more races.
There were 10,153 households out of which 24.2% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 58.2% were married couples living together, 7.5% had a female householder with no husband present, and 29.8% were non-families. 23.5% of all households were made up of individuals and 10.5% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 2.42 and the average family size was 2.83.
In the CDP the population was spread out with 22.3% under the age of 18, 4.9% from 18 to 24, 22.6% from 25 to 44, 28.9% from 45 to 64, and 21.3% who were 65 years of age or older. The median age was 45 years. For every 100 females there were 102.4 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there were 101.4 males.
The median income for a household in the CDP was $34,860, and the median income for a family was $39,812. Males had a median income of $35,862 versus $21,586 for females. The per capita income for the CDP was $17,708. About 7.3% of families and 10.7% of the population were below the poverty line, including 14.8% of those under age 18 and 7.0% of those age 65 or over.
[edit] Brothels
Pahrump and neighboring Crystal house legal brothels, which helped build the infrastructure of the town. The brothels include:
[edit] Art Bell
Pahrump is Art Bell's hometown, although he briefly took up residence in the Philippines in 2006. He is the founder of the Coast To Coast AM radio talk show, which is mainly about paranormal matters. He still hosts it on some weekends, and also owns KNYE, the local radio station located in Pahrump.
On the December 28, 2006 broadcast of Coast to Coast AM Art Bell announced that he has moved back to Pahrump. His Coast to Coast weekend show is being broadcast from Art's local facilities as it was before.
[edit] In fiction
- In the movie "Rain Man" the diner scene and exterior where "Rain Man" himself counts the cards was filmed at a Pahrump bar known for rough fights.
- In the movie Mars Attacks the aliens blow up Pahrump, after a dove flies over the aliens (scenes really shot in Burns, Kansas as was most of the film).
- The town has been mentioned on CSI: Crime Scene Investigation.
- Season 2 of the CBS reality show "The Amazing Race" featured Pahrump's dry lake bed as its starting point.
- Pahrump was featured in the Aaron Sorkin television drama Studio 60 on the Sunset Strip in a two-part episode titled "Nevada Day." Part One aired November 6, 2006, and Part Two was aired a week later on November 13. The scenes, however, were set only in the town jail and a small diner, and the town itself was not featured, implying that Pahrump was a much smaller town than it is. The town's name was the butt of a running gag with each member of the cast snickering the first time they heard the name.
- Rush drummer Neil Peart mentions in his book, Ghost Rider, that he guesses that Pahrump means "soggy bottom".
[edit] External links
- Maps and aerial photos
- Street map from Google Maps, or Yahoo! Maps, or Windows Live Local
- Satellite image from Google Maps, Windows Live Local, WikiMapia
- Topographic map from TopoZone
- Aerial image or topographic map from TerraServer-USA
- Pahrump Town Government[3]
