Elmer Bowman’s vision for Pahrump never failed as his mark can be seen in many parts of the valley today. Now local officials want to pay tribute to his deeds with a statue that would commemorate one of the valley’s first pioneers.
On Saturday, the Pahrump Valley Museum will unveil a bronze bust of Elmer Bowman, a pioneer who modernized the valley and elevated its quality of life after moving from Moapa to Pahrump with his family in 1946.
A dedication ceremony with the Bowman family will take place on Saturday at 2 p.m. at the Pahrump Valley Museum, located at 401 E. Basin Ave. in Pahrump.
Marilyn Davis, the director for Pahrump Valley Museum, said the statue of Bowman, who has long been regarded as one of Pahrump’s founding fathers, is “significant” for the museum.
“To receive this statue is a very important and significant exhibit because the Elmer Bowman family is part of the founding fathers and important to the history of Pahrump,” said Davis ahead of the event.
Bowman was responsible for several major developments in the valley, including an education system, telephone service, roads and initiation of Mormon church services, according to the museum.
He also bought what is known as the Manse Ranch in the early days of the area. Bowman used the farming operation located on his property to demonstrate the valley’s agricultural potential. The actual ranch where the main house was is now part of Mountain Falls.
Bob McCracken, a Pahrump Valley historian, called the efforts put in by the Bowman family “the beginnings of modern Pahrump.”
“I have the greatest admiration for the early figures in Pahrump, they were real pioneers, we don’t have pioneers like that so much anymore,” he said.
The bronze bust has been in the works for two years and was prepared by sculptress Shirley Marrs. It’s unclear whether it will be an exhibit on its own or part of the time line, Davis said.
It will be donated to the museum by Imogene Andersen and members of the Bowman family who will attend the ceremony.
The event is open and free to the public. Local dignitaries and community members are invited to attend.
Contact reporter Daria Sokolova at dsokolova@pvtimes.com. On Twitter: @dariasokolova77