The discovery of silver in Pahranagat Valley in 1865 led to the creation of Lincoln County, with Crystal Springs designated as the provisional county seat in 1866. Intending to organize the new county, Governor Henry G. Blasdel left Carson City in April 1866 with over twenty people and, after a perilous journey through Death Valley, California, reached the new district of Pahranagat. The expedition also sought a more practicable route between the valley and the towns of western Nevada. At Crystal Springs, the governor found that the region lacked enough voters to meet the requirements for county organization, resulting in the county's eventual formation at Hiko one year later. Used as a watering place and campsite, this locale was the principal stopover on the Mormon Trail alternate route.