Lyon County
Wedged in between historic Carson City and the agriculture king of Churchill, some Nevadans tend to forget about Lyon County. Why? It's a good question, but here in Nevada, you just don't hear a lot about it. It might be because its people are so self-sufficient. Stretching for more than 2,000 square miles and only three major communities, Lyon is an independant county within the state. It's people like their open spaces and wild terrain. Lyon's residents are concentrated in two prime areas, Fernley and Dayton. Yerington, the county seat, is set away from the 'main crowd', but no less a town. In between these places, Lyon's a pretty remote place, with only small outcroppings of civilization, such as Silver Springs and Stagecoach along US 50 and Wellington along SR 208 in the southern portion of the county. With these aside, Lyon is a true outback in a populated western Nevada. For these reasons alone is why I chose to make my home here.
The first thing you notice about Lyon County is its open terrain, its rather abundant areas of closeness and remoteness that bring it together. Once you leave Carson City, US 50 wastes no time in scanting out onto open area. The largest community still feels small and even the desert sand feels at home beside a paved asphalt. There isn't a single place in Lyon County that feels busy or urban! In fact, the county is still home to wild horses, one of the only areas left in Nevada that can celebrate this fame. And with populations so sparse, it makes a perfect place for another industry, legal prostitution. Lyon County has five brothels, more than anywhere else in Nevada and aside from the whores, the horses and horseplay of outdoor recreation, a Lyon County Resident finds this place the perfect home.
Lyon's odd shape makes graphing the land difficult, but it allows it to creep into many areas of landscape in Nevada. The county alone has two major river systems, the Walker and Carson Rivers, two major mountain ranges, the Pine Nuts and Sweetwaters, an agricultural valley, Mason Valley and its famed Pony Express Route along present-day US 50. Lyon County stretches from the moist valleys near Bridgeport, CA north to the tip of the 40 Mile Desert near Fernley. This amounts to a total of 120 miles, with lots to see in between and places to get out, sit among the air and just enjoy what Nevada has to offer. There really is, A LOT to see here! As for the markers well, it's some of the best hunting in the state. Lyon was named after Gen. Nathaniel Lyon killed at the battle of Wilson's Creek near Springfield, MO. However, it's 17 markers have nothing to do with Nathaniel Lyon. Instead, they seem to be concentrated on the 'transition' of Nevada, a time when Nevada's outback saw the first white man and the first 'incentive' to move westward. Gold. Most of Lyon's markers are situated in Dayton, the county's largest community. Here, you'll find all the services you need. Outward from Dayton, a handful of markers are gathered along US 50 and a few along US 95 Alternate headed south into Mineral. Lastly, don't forget about the few that are situated in Silver City along SR 342 headed to Virginia City! Yes, Silver City is technically within Lyon County and here you'll find 2 markers. Don't forget about these!
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