Virgin Valley Heritage Museum

10/03/2026

Here is throwback Thursday.

Did you know that by 1974, Littlefield, Arizona, was nearly a ghost town with only 32 residents left? Just nine families remained. A brutal combination of geographic isolation, frequent flash floods, failing infrastructure, and the rise of massive commercial farms completely crushed the town's traditional way of life. The heads of the nine families that remained to keep the desolate community alive were:
Clifford Peterson
Melvin Peterson (Clifford & Grace’s son & family)
Louis Reber
Dessie Reber
Dan Reber
Eddie Jones
Lena Copley
Cecil Hardin
Polly Harris

Clifford and Grace Peterson were prominent life-long figures of Littlefield Arizona, an isolated community in what is called the “Arizona Strip.” They married in 1935, raised a large family and spent their lives sustaining the tiny community of Littlefield through several foundational contributions.

Clifford Peterson was born on March 7, 1913 in Littlefield AZ to Christopher Marius Peterson and Martha Emily Reber. Clifford was the grandson of Samuel Reber Sr and 3rd wife Emma Rosina Hofer who were at the time also residents of Littlefield..

Grace Virginia Nelson was born on April 27, 1915 in St Paul Minnesota to Stacy Nelson and Estella Mable Harmon Nelson. The Nelson’s moved across the country, first to Bountiful Utah, then to California, and then to St George Utah. She was introduced to Clifford Peterson at a scotch hop dance by Zella Pulsipher (Burns) in the mid-1930s.

Clifford and Grace Virginia married on December 20th 1935. Grace Virginia wrote:
“Then in 1935 (Dec. 20) Clifford and I were married in the St. Geo., Utah Temple. The only ones that was to the Temple was Clifford’s Aunt Vinda Reber and Mrs. Eve Starr. We didn’t have a wedding time except my mother gave a small shower at her home. I’ve regretted not having a wedding picture made. I guess it was because we couldn’t afford one. He sold a cow and I think he got about $35 and that’s what we got married on.”

Here are some of the highlights of the Clifford and Grace Peterson Family and their strive to keep the community of Littlefield Arizona alive and well.

09/26/2026

FYI & Participation

09/26/2026

FYI

09/26/2026

Here is Throwback Thursday.

Clara Bauer Granger was born on April 24, 1876, in Cedar City, Utah, to Alowis Bauer Jr. and Maria Augusta Christina Sandberg Lamb Bauer.

Clara’s mother, Maria, had faced a difficult life from the very beginning. Born in Copenhagen, Denmark, on August 23, 1852, Maria was tragically orphaned at just three weeks old when her mother passed away. Unable to care for her, Maria's father placed her with the childless Peterson family. The Petersons eventually emigrated to America, and Maria grew up in Salt Lake City. Tragically, stability was short-lived; Mr. Peterson abandoned his family to chase the California Gold Rush. Refusing to follow him, Mrs. Peterson struggled to provide for herself and young Maria.

When Maria was only 13, Mrs. Peterson urged her to enter a plural marriage with Abel Lamb, a man 50 years her senior. The children from Abel’s first marriage affectionately nicknamed the young bride "Grandpa’s darling." Maria and Abel had six children together, but only two survived. Their youngest, Sarah Mariah, was born after Abel died at the age of 73. Left with a toddler, a pregnancy, and an unfinished house, Maria received help through her local Ward Bishop. She was introduced to Alowis Bauer Jr., who traded her unfinished house for a home adjacent to his own, placing his two wives next door to each other as neighbors.

Maria married Alowis on July 13, 1874, and her daughter Sarah was born five months later. Clara was born two years after the marriage, on April 24, 1876. Maria endured three more premature births before giving birth to Rachel Ellen on March 27, 1880. Out of at least 11 recorded births across two plural marriages, Maria had only four surviving daughters.

Growing up in a large plural family, Clara learned the value of hard work early to help support the household. She was remarkably dependable, babysitting for local mothers and spending her summers working on Cedar Mountain, where she did chores and tended livestock. Though these heavy responsibilities cut her formal education short after the third grade, Clara was fiercely self-educated. She taught herself to manage business affairs, became an expert cook, wove durable and attractive rugs, and mastered home repairs. She also became a highly sought-after local seamstress.

Let’s take a look back at how this resilient young woman overcame limited resources and a brief education to build her own entrepreneurial success.

09/23/2026

FYI

09/19/2026

09/18/2026

It's that time again for the monthly History Session at the Mesquite Campus Library. We will be featuring the Virgin Valley Heritage Museum's Story Board 1 through 4 and how you can access it online. So join us for another exciting adventure into Mesquite & the Virgin Valley's past. Following is a preview of the Story Boards.

09/18/2026

Here Is Throwback Thursday.

The Wild West Roots of Local Education!

Did you know Bunkerville started as a bold experiment in equality? In 1877, Edward Bunker Sr. led 23 pioneers into the Virgin Valley to build a self-sufficient, communal utopia.
While survival came first, education wasn't far behind. Here is a look at how early schooling evolved in our valley:

🎒 Bunkerville: The first "school" was actually a lumber shack made from a wagon. When children finally arrived, Charlie Heath taught the first class using just one math book, one spelling book, and three readers! Later that year, Myron Abbott taught night classes to older kids who worked the fields by day—marking the start of our local high schools.

🏡 Beaverdam & Littlefield: Early classes were held inside family homes until a tiny adobe schoolhouse was built in 1910, followed by a newer building in 1924.

⛺ Mesquite Flats: Settled permanently in 1894, the first classes were taught by Emma Lorena Hardy in her living room in 1897. By the next year, the town upgraded to a tent school across the street!

Let’s take a stroll down memory lane to visit these historic school sites, meet the pioneer teachers, and look back at the classrooms that started it all.

09/10/2026

Here is Throwback Thursday.

Ever wondered how our community showed love to its very first builders? Back in the day, the annual "Old Folks Parties" were the ultimate celebration of gratitude for the aging pioneers who sacrificed so much to settle this isolated region.

Here is how the community rolled out the red carpet for their senior guests:
VIP Transport: Local youth drove wagons and buggies straight to the elders' homes to personally es**rt them to the party.
The Royal Treatment: Guests of honor wore special ribbons proudly labeling them as original valley pioneers.
Ultimate Comfort Food: Massive potlucks featured multi-generational, family-tested recipes.
Zero Chores: The younger generation did all the cooking and serving so the elders didn't have to lift a single finger.
Perfect Timing: Celebrations were held during the beautiful winter and spring months to avoid the brutal summer heat.

More than just a party, these annual events were a vital emotional lifeline. They gave our weary, aging pioneers public validation that their relentless daily struggles to build our community were deeply appreciated by those who inherited it.

Let’s take a stroll back in time to look at a few of these beautiful, public shows of affection and gratitude for a most deserving generation. 👇