Douglas County
Douglas County sees many a faces of the California Tourist. How many? Douglas alone welcomes over 50,000 tourists every year, most visitors driving north from Los Angeles and Southern California via the Scenic 395 corridor of the Eastern Sierra. This county has a nice variety of landscapes, with its western edge residing within the Carson Range and Lake Tahoe Basin onward to its remote eastern half, largely unpopulated in the Pine Nut Range. However, Douglas is centered around its 'heart', the Carson Valley, home to its seat Minden and largest community, Gardnerville.
The Carson Valley IS western Nevada. It's the roots of the Silver State and where many people call home. Differences and contrasts abound. Highs and lows are common and every road is a joy to drive. Although the tourist is a common face around here, there is a larger problem that threatens the quality of life here in Douglas County. Due to its proximity to Reno, people are finding refuge in Carson Valley's quiet corners and beautiful scenery. Cheap real estate is apparent to every western Nevadan and people find homes in Carson Valley. This is especially true for most people who work in Tahoe, but make the daily drive down the mountain to their 'quiet' residence on the valley floor. This burst of annoying suburbia threatens the rural nature of Douglas County and its forelorn valley. It's not uncommon to see a dairy farm set next to a golf course and a chain of track homes. Locals keep the peace as best they can, but its hard to ignore a way of life that is quickly changing. For this alone, a visit to Douglas County is bittersweet, easy to fall in love with, but hard to accept that it isn't the same. "Keep Nevada Rural" is the motto around here and frankly, every Nevadan in some way or another chants these words too.
Variety is the name of the game when it comes to Douglas' historical markers. For one, you'll find Genoa, Nevada's oldest community perched right on the mountain's edge, and barely hanging onto its 'ruralty'. Up the mountain however is a different story. By taking SR 207, the Kingsbury Grade, try to tear yourself away from the overwhelmingly overcrowded high rises of a 'Mountain Vegas' at Stateline and instead, imagine how the Tahoe Basin might have been like without the exploitation and commercialism. Travel up US 50 and Lake Tahoe's east shore and then back down the mountain onto the valley floor once again. All that adventure and only an hour's passed, but you'll have realized just how special us Nevadans have it down here on the desert. Compared to Tahoe, Carson Valley is wilderness. If you choose to work Douglas' markers effectively, focus your attention down here on Carson Valley. Almost all of the markers in this county can be found here. Book a stay in Minden and forget about everything else. However, don't forget about the few up the mountain... and our way of life.
Historical Markers of Douglas County (18)
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