Mesquite

History of Mesquite, Nevada

The fertile Virgin River Valley has drawn people to the Mesquite area since prehistoric times — Ancestral Puebloans used wood from the common desert mesquite shrub for basketry and weaving, while its sticky sap was used to make adhesive, gum and candy.

Early pioneers arrived to settle in the Virgin River Valley in the late 1870s and early 1880s. Two attempts to establish a permanent settlement at Mesquite Flats failed due to flooding from burst irrigation canals. However, in 1894 pioneers finally established a permanent foothold on the banks of the Virgin River. The town was renamed Mesquite in 1894.

Stop in to the Virgin Valley Heritage Museum to learn more about this truly unique portion of southeastern Nevada. The museum building itself is listed on the National Register of Historic Places and was constructed primarily through the efforts of the Civilian Conservation Corps. 

Restaurants in Mesquite

Mesquite, NV offers a variety of elevated culinary experiences. Katherine’s Steakhouse at the CasaBlanca Resort serves only USDA Prime beef from stockyards of Chicago complemented fresh crab flown in from the Florida Keys. The Mesa Buffet and Casa Café, also at the CasaBlanca, are favorites among locals and visitors alike.

Sierra’s Buffet at the Virgin River Hotel, serves breakfast, lunch, and dinner at modest prices. The 1880 Grill at Conestoga Golf Club, meanwhile, serves its signature 1880 burger and wings that are sure to please the hungriest golfer or visitor.  The Golden West Restaurant & Casino has earned Mesquite’s “Best Burger” distinction many times, while the champagne brunch at Town Square Buffet is the town’s premier Sunday morning brunch destination.

Events in Mesquite

Mesquite offers a packed lineup of fun special events. The 54-hole Nevada Open Golf Championship is held in November at the Palms and CasaBlanca golf clubs, attracting competitors with its prize purse of $150,000. The CasaBlanca Rib Fest, meanwhile, takes place each September and features award-winning ribs from many of the nation’s top competitive cooking teams.

Each January, thousands of classic car enthusiasts descend on the town for Mesquite Motor Mania, while many return in September for the equally impressive Super Run Classic Car Show. Mesquite’s temperate winter weather and stunning Virgin River Valley backdrop make the colors of the Mesquite Hot Air Balloon Festival, held the last week of January, simply pop all over the sky. Other popular events in Mesquite include the annual Lights Fest—during which guests send their concerns, dreams, and goals skyward in candle-lit lanterns—and the animal lovers’ Donkey Jamboree, a celebration (and adoption extravaganza) of Nevada’s beloved burros.