MARK WAITE / PVT Blanca Rodriguez, an employee at the Allstate Insurance office operated by the Mankins family, holds up a rusty sign denoting "Mankins Corner" which was found in Overton. Advertisement

A sign still hangs at Mankins Insurance Company noting a location called "Mankins Corner."

It was a common reference in the early days of Pahrump to where the Bank of America building now stands on the northwest corner of Pahrump's main intersection at Highway 160 and 372.

Nye County Commissioners last week voted to officially designate that spot Mankins Corner.

Pat Mankins, widow of the late Leslie "Bill" Mankins, recalled when the now bustling intersection was the site of their home.

She said they received their homestead in Pahrump in 1954 and moved to the valley in 1955. They acquired 320 acres back at a time when property sold for $60 an acre, though she said they spent about $100 after expenses.

The Mankins took over the Union 76 service station and an adjoining cafe on the corner of Highway 160 and 372 from Leroy and Mary Vaughn in 1961.

"We bought it and added a store, which was the second store in Pahrump. But we had a lot more things than the Pahrump Trading Post had," Pat Mankins said.

The Mankins' service station changed from a Union 76 to Tidewater Oil to a Rebel station, then eventually Texaco, she said.

Eventually Valley Bank acquired the property at the main intersection of town. Bank of America later took it over.

"I really am quite honored that they did that. That was very nice for them to do that. Bill worked very, very hard for this valley, and so did I," she said.