|
|
Carson City
|
With one of the longest histories in the Silver State, it is no wonder our little state capitol is brimming with stories to tell. An elaborate flume system, old mansions of the Comstock, to the funding of an unexpected state capitol, may be just a few stepping stones in the building of Carson City. However, Nevada did not solely begin its life here. The valley we know today as “Eagle Valley,” nestled at the foot of the Carson Range, has always been a favored spot among travelers, emigrants, ranchers, and wagon trains. Once characterized as a “swamp” and a “mudhole,” the Carson City we know today was a much different place in 1851. The first settlers to arrive in Eagle Valley set up shop to service the area around 1858. Soon, the valley became an ideal place for raising cattle. A little later, travelers and emigrants to the area established trails along the Carson River, one of the rare sources of fresh, year-round water that helped them in their journey into the great western reaches of the Utah Territory. It was not until a hunter shot an eagle flying overhead that the actual name "Eagle Valley" was born. The hunter was so proud of his kill, he mounted the bird on a post overlooking his trading post. Then in 1861, the promise of Eagle Valley was seeded when an ingenious man arrived with one thing on his mind: statehood.
Abe Curry: The Father of Nevada?
A businessman, born Abraham Curry, arrived in Eagle Valley around 1861. Many people claim that without Abe Curry, Nevada's capitol would have been established some four hundred miles to the south. Others claim that Curry's influence was the sole reason for the finding of Carson City, and in essence, the evolution of the Nevada territory. Before his interest in Carson City, Curry and his three partners, B.F. Green, Frank M. Proctor, and J.J. Musser, hoped to establish a mercantile business in the thriving town of Genoa. However, the men were discouraged by the price of Genoa's high real estate and looked further, fifteen miles north in Eagle Valley, until they found a large tract that could be bought for the price of a small Genoa lot. As any stern businessman would, Curry immediately requested a survey of the land and a town site was platted with individual lots divided equally between the four entrepreneurs. The lots sold slowly at first and went for as little as fifty dollars, or were given to individuals who promised to build on them. Soon, it became easy for Curry to expand his small settlement, resulting in an expansion of the territory!
Curry's prediction of a new state, influenced by the wealth of the Comstock mines, provided him enough incentive to set aside a plot of land in hopes that the Union would use the plot to build a Capitol Building. Sadly, Abe Curry never saw his plot of land utilized. Abe died just a year before President Abraham Lincoln announced Nevada’s admittance into the Union and Carson City’s designation as Nevada’s capitol. In his honor, Lincoln used the very same site Curry had platted for the current Capitol Building. After Nevada's inauguration into statehood, "Carson City" originally became a part of Ormsby County, (perhaps Nevada's first county) named in honor of Major William Ormsby, who came to the area in 1857. The man Ormsby takes claim for naming the area “Carson,” in honor of the legendary scout Kit Carson and the free-flowing Carson River. To put it simply, Carson City seemed destined to become something monumental from the very beginning of its time.
A Cow town’s in Charge!
- Carson City is the seventh smallest capitol in population and the fifth smallest in size. Carson City is so small, the little burg would qualify as a major suburb in most American cities. Carson is also one of the few capitols in America not serviced by a railroad, a major airport, or even an interstate. However, the little city loves making due, humbling itself as one of the last classic small towns in America.
Municipal or county, “Carsonites” are proud of the capitol! Carson holds itself in this kind of grand esteem on a daily basis, disproving its doubters by claiming itself as one of the most beautiful capitols in the country. Carson's ideal geographic location and its proximity to Lake Tahoe and Reno make it an excellent crossroads town for the tourist trade. However, some Nevadans believe that Carson's position, far from most of rural Nevada and Las Vegas (Nevada's largest city), somewhat isolates the head of state government. Las Vegans believe the capitol should be relocated to their city, once claiming Carson City to be a “tiny, lifeless cow-town.” Perhaps it is this reason why Carson enjoys the publicity. Let it be known, Nevada. This little “cow-town” runs the political show!
The Old and the New
The Markers
So, what is the big deal behind this uniquely distinct state capitol in America? Well, here are a few facts to wet your whistle ...
- Surrounded by three much larger-sized counties, the state legislature found that "Ormsby County" was “a bit redundant and overly unnecessary.” In 1969, the state legislature ultimately decided to consolidate Ormsby County into simply “Carson City.” If it can be defined as such, Carson City is Nevada’s smallest “county” in size –- governed as a “state body” and exempt from most of Nevada's typical county regulations. Carson City's title as the state capitol brands it as the only county governed as a municipal.
Carson has a tendency to satisfy its visitors, locals, and passers-by, equally and without limits. People will not find Carson City anything like Reno or Las Vegas; the neon-Nevada facade known by the rest of America, is worlds away in Carson City; instead of cheap buffets and bright-touristy lights (although these are thoroughly present in Carson City), Carson's true soul lies in its old-west heritage. Most tourists do not flock to Carson for its casinos or its nightlife, but rather indulge in Carson’s closeness and community. Whether it be among its back country or on its quaint and tidy streets, the early heritage of Nevada is alive and well in Nevada's capitol. A tourist can walk down Carson Street and take not one, but a few ganders at some of Nevada's most impressive structures, such as the original U.S. Mint Building built in 1870, or a few older establishments like the St. Charles Hotel, built in 1863. The common tourist can also stray away from Carson's main thoroughfare and stride hand-in-hand with heritage even further along its shaded streets. Visitors are invited to take a breather and stroll away from downtown. Here, newcomers can follow the blue-lined “Kit Carson Walk,” a self-guided tour of Carson’s dozen-or-so historic mansions -- all beautifully-restored homes that were first built during the Comstock era. Such requires a preparation for a genuine trip back in time. Old residences, such the Governor’s Mansion, Orion Clemens's Home, the Bliss and Rinckel Mansions, or the Ferris and Curry Residences do a fine job in sparking a lasting impression of homespun America. Of course, glitzy Carson Street is the city’s coup-de-tat, a delectable selection of interesting places in both old and new. Carson’s downtown scene, both quaint and chic, may be highlighted by its stately Capitol building –- a structure built of sandstone most demanding of attention! Visitors regularly walk around the Capitol's perimeter and stand beneath its seventeen trees -- one representative for each Nevada county. A walk inside negates a hour’s glance; the Capitol’s Alaskan marble walls, oak and walnut furnishings, and its complimentary bronze statue of Sarah Winnemucca are the talk of the region. Truly, new paths are found regularly in Carson City and its people still seem to be keen to discovery.
It should come as no surprise that most of Carson City's 26 markers focus on the finding of Nevada, the roots of state government, and how the Silver State came to be. Of course, Carson City would not be Carson City without some help from the Comstock Lode. Finding the markers here can be quite challenging primarily those that are found away from Carson Street. Since some of Carson's markers are set right in downtown mostly inaccessible by car, I would advise parking behind one of its centrally-located casinos; Cactus Jack's Casino on Curry Street is a great location. Musser Street alongside the Capitol is another great base that offers free two-hour parking. With that, this little “cow town” does what it can to accommodate its people. This little “cow-town” may not care about such things as neon overkill, a dizzying interstate, or even a flowery designation to sell it on billboards. Carson City is simply Carson City.
