Photograph of two cars abandoned by their owners in St. Thomas, Nevada, April 11, 1948

Remains of two cars, most likely near the remains of Hugh Lord's shop, in St Thomas, Nevada, when the town emerged from the waters of Lake Mead in 1945

Transcribed Notes: Bureau of Reclamation typed notes appended to back of photo: Boulder Canyon Project--Nevada--Region 3 St. Thomas, Nevada, was founded by the Mormons in 1855. In its heyday there were about 800 residents in the village. The "Main Street" was a part of the old Arrowhead Trail, which led from Salt Lake City, Utah to Los Angeles, California. In June 1938 the town was abandoned by its residents, which at that time were few in number because of the rising waters of Lake Mead that submerged the townsite. Photograph shows a closeup of two cars abandoned by their owners. Note the wide wooden wheel on the car to the right; also, the smaller wheel with wooden spokes. The wide wooden wheel was used as an "engine" to pump water, the belt being placed on this wooden wheel.