Historical Markers of Carson City
 

  • HM 1 - Empire and Carson River Mills
  • HM 25 - Nevada's Capitol
  • HM 44 - Carson City
  • HM 70 - Bliss Mansion
  • HM 71 - Methodist Church of Carson City
  • HM 72 - Nevada State Children's Home
  • HM 75 - Government Building
  • HM 76 - Eagle Valley
  • HM 77 - Dat So La Lee
  • HM 78 - Orion Clemens Home
  • HM 91 - Stewart Indian School
  • HM 134 - Trans-Sierran Pioneer Flight
  • HM 175 - Stewart-Nye Residence
  • HM 179 - First Air Flights in Nevada
  • HM 180 - The Warm Springs Hotel
  • HM 181 - The Washo Indians
  • HM 193 - Historic Flume and Lumber Yard
  • HM 194 - Gardner's Ranch
  • HM 196 - The U.S. Mint of Carson City
  • HM 213 - Lakeview
  • HM 235 - Camp Nye
  • HM 243 - Corbett-Fitzsimmons Fight
  • HM 250 - State Printing Building
  • HM 252 - Rinckel Mansion
  • HM 258 - Weather Observatory
  • HM 259 - The Governor's Mansion
  • Empire and Carson River Mills

    Location: Eastern end of Carson City
    Directions: Along US 50, 4 miles east of US 395

    N39 11' 14.4"    W119 42' 22.9"

    Location: 2
    Visibility: 1
    Accessibility: 1
    Marker type: Stone
       

    Date Conquered: 5/20/07
    Nearest intersection: Arrowhead Drive/Deer Run Rd.
    Quick Description: A marker honoring the lumber mills along the Carson River.
    Signed: Yes -- Signed on both lanes of US 50.

    Full Description:
    Exact description as reads...

    When the Comstock Lode was discovered in 1859, the problem of reducing the ore from the fabulously-rich Virginia City mines had to be solved. Mills were built in Gold Canyon and Six Mile Canyon, in Washoe Valley, at Dayton, and on the Carson River which offered the most abundant source of water for generating power to the mills.

    On the east shore of the river near the town of Empire the first small mill, built in 1860, was later enlarged to become the Mexican. The site of this mill lies to the southwest. Other large mills were then constructed further downstream, spurring the growth of the town of Empire. Ore was hauled to the mills at first by wagon and later by the famous Virginia and Truckee Railroad built in 1869. Fortunes in gold and silver were produced in over 40 years of operation by the Carson River mills including the Mexican, Yellow Jacket, Brunswick, Vivian, Merrimac and Santiago. Traces of Empire and its mills can still be seen today.


    Empire Today

    Unfortunately, there isn't much that remains of Empire today. Remnants are little more than the Empire cemetery and an old wooden structure that stands alongside busy US 50. Hikers may be able to make out a few decaying remnants of a mill or two along this section of the Carson River.

    "Remaining at Empire", Carson City, NV.

    "Parting of Skies", Carson City, NV.

    • To find the cemetery, turn south onto Deer Run Road, just past the historic marker. After 1/4 mile, make a right turn onto Sheep Drive headed in the direction of the Waste Management Facility and an old cement plant (5220 Sheep Drive). Turn into the facility and drive around back to a dirt parking lot and gate (located directly behind the facility). In recent years, NDOT has erected signage from both US 50 and Deer Run Road to help the public find this hidden cemetery!

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    Copyright, Paul Sebesta

    Fact #1: Carson City is one of only two U.S. capitols that border another state. The other is Trenton, N.J.