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-- Confirmed, 'Missing in Action' --
Date confirmed: December 28, 2010
Directions:
According to the State Marker System, the location for this marker is:
"Located along U.S. Highway 50, east of Spooner Summit and west of Carson City."
Description:
According to the State Marker System, here is the exact description as reads:
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Long before the coming of the emigrant trains, this site overlooked the lands of the Washo Indians. A valley, a city and a county still bear their name. A nearby trail marks their ancient route from the lowlands to Lake Tahoe and California. Their language is distinctive from both Shoshone and Paiute. For many years they preferred to remain isolated, roaming their native High Sierra. They were a peace-loving people who hunted and fished to provide food for their families. Their pinenut ceremony is still held before harvest time, the women accompanying the men on this expedition. The departure is celebrated by singing and dancing. Their puberty ritual has been in existence for generations, and Washo basketry is justly world famous. The beautiful work of their most celebrated artist, Dat-So-La-Lee, is on exhibition today in the Nevada State Museum, Carson City, and the Nevada Historical Society, Reno. Captain Jim is the most revered of their last great chiefs.
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Status: [181] The Washo Indians is yet another "here today, gone tomorrow" case -- a fine historical marker with such lively text that its disappearance is nothing less than a true shame for Nevadans. The looming question of course is just how did it disappear? The answer is puzzling mostly because of 181's location: on the edge of the steep bluffs alongside the busy, four-lane Spooner Grade just west of Carson City. Strangely, there is absolutely no indication or shred of evidence as to why this marker was removed. Some people speculate that it was hit by a car and fell over the cliffside! Some believe it's still there today, and I would have too ... up until a few years ago, that is.
Just recently, I confirmed this rumor to be just that, a rumor, until I decided to hike up the old Clear Creek Road to confirm this for myself. The old Clear Creek Road is the original route of US 50 that runs parallel to Spooner Grade in a canyon just below the grade ... and let me tell you: this is a phantom route. Even today, many people have no idea of this former road, and segments of it are either missing or locked away from public access. If the marker had fallen over the cliff from US 50, there is no doubt that it would've landed here, along the hillsides of the old Clear Creek Road. On my long hike, I clambered up the hillsides like a drunk mountain goat, but found only nothing but sagebrush (and a few scrapes along the way). Having said this, the best explanation for this marker's disappearance may have to do with property rights. My best guess is that NDOT themselves removed the marker due to private property issues regarding Washo land. This is an issue that continues to this day around the border line between Carson and Douglas. The Clear Creek area is a checkerboard of private property between the Washo Tribe and regular homeowners, and even the old Clear Creek Road barely carves a path between land ownerships. Everything was up in the air - until recently...
 All that remains of [181]. Today, the sign leans a 35 degrees off center that could most likely fall over in the next few months due to the very high winds that occur on this pass. Fortunately, I captured this image before that happens.
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The only form of evidence of [181] ever existing is a lone sign still posted on eastbound US 50. However, keen hunters will notice that the current marker here doesn't match the smaller landmark that is located here: a Clamper marker for the "Kings Canyon Fire." Please note that this is not an official state historic marker, or [181] The Washo Indians (as seen below.)
UPDATE! (December 2010)
A month after the Hohn article ran, the Nevada Appeal ran another article titled,
Three MIAs were found in Carson City. This article, posted December 29, 2010, revealed the whereabouts of three MIAs that have been gone for the past decade. Needless to say, the debut of this article has sparked some commotion around Carson City. Like myself, many area locals are ecstatic that these MIA's have been found after a long decade's worth of time! And, of course, of all the MIAs that fell under this list was [181] The Washo Indians. You can imagine my surprise when I received a batch of photos by avid marker hunter, Dave Morris. Before the markers were carted away to a "safe location" on December 28, 2010, he obtained these rare images for us to see. Dave, I and every other marker hunter thank you for these shots!
(Photo below)
Photo taken 12/28/10.
Until this marker is back in action, this is only shot we're going to get of this long-lost marker. Aside from the grime and rust spots, notice the great condition of this plaque.
(Photo below)
Photo taken 12/28/10.
Dave found these markers covered in snow and road grime. A rat had made its nest underneath [181]. Truly pathetic. Our historic markers deserve better than this.
(Photo below)
Photo taken 12/28/10.
These contractors cart away our three MIAs to an undisclosed location for repairs. The good news the plaques and marker bodies are in excellent condition, saving the SHPO an estimated $1,100 each! All photos courtesy of Dave Morris.
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Now, is it only a matter of time before [181] is back in action? At the risk of imparting sorrow, somehow I doubt it. Until funding can be given to these contractors, our three MIAs will remain just that. Until I see this delightfully, interesting marker back on the windy slopes of Spooner Grade, I'm not closing the lid on this case just yet. However, us marker hunters may be able to sleep a little better knowing that it was found and is now in safe hands. My recommendation for this marker's re-erection would be at the base of Spooner Grade, or in Douglas County along Jacks Valley Road. The marker might fare better at these two locations, well-away from any land issues and possible wind gusts that could blow it over. Only time will tell.
Thanks go to Dave Morris for finding these markers! Perhaps more importantly, thanks for allowing all of us to see your findings through these photographs.
See you out there!
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