*HM 1*
-- Empire and Carson River Mills --
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Location: Eastern end of Carson City
Directions: Marker located along US 50, 4 miles E of Carson City
Location: 2
Visibility: 1
Accessibility: 2
Marker type: Stone
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Description: To supply the needs and demand for the Comstock Lode, mills were built for the processing of ore. Such mills were built in Gold Canyon and Six Mile Canyon and later along the banks of the Carson River in present-day Dayton. Larger mills were constructed further west, this one here, in present-day Carson City, along the river's eastshore proved to be one of the busiest. Built in 1860, the site of this mill was one of the largest, spurring the growth of a new town, Empire. Ore was hauled from Virginia City's mines via wagon and later by rail on Virginia & Truckee Railroad.
Right alongside US 50, you can still see the last remnant of Empire, an old wooden shack that stands in view of a busy modern-day society. Along the banks of the Carson, one may be able to make out the last decaying remnants of a mill or two.
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