Lyon County Nevada is named for Brigadier General Nathaniel Lyon, commander of the Federal forces at Wilson’s Creek during the civil war. General Nathaniel Lyon was the first Union General killed in the civil war after being shot three times on August 10th, 1861 at the Battle of Wilson’s Creek near Springfield, Missouri. The general was killed by a soldier named John Morgan after he was completely surrounded by Confederate soldiers
The county is one of the original nine counties in the great state of Nevada, that were in place on November 11th, 1871. The original county seat was located in Dayton, however now this honor belongs to Yerington.
The first mineral discoveries in Nevada occurred in Gold Canyon north of Dayton in the spring of 1850. Johntown was founded at the site and the states first mining camp. This areas was “the place to be” in terms of mining operations when the Comstock boom started.
Lyon county has a total area of 2,024 square miles (5,240 km2) and 23 square miles (60 km2) is water.[It is the fourth-smallest county in Nevada by area.
The bravest man I ever saw was General Lyon. After he was completely surrounded, and pulled off of his horse, he picked up rocks and fought with thousands of men around him. He struck Will Morgan in the face with a rock, and John Morgan shot him with an old-fashioned horse pistol, killing him.
Lyon County History
Lyon County’s early history was shaped by mining, with gold and silver deposits discovered in the area in the mid-1800s. The town of Dayton, located in the southern part of the county, was one of the earliest mining towns in Nevada and served as a supply center for the nearby Comstock Lode.
In the late 1800s, agriculture also became an important industry in Lyon County. The fertile land along the Carson River proved to be ideal for farming, and many settlers began growing crops such as alfalfa, wheat, and barley. Ranching also became popular, with many large cattle ranches established in the area.
During World War II, the town of Yerington in the western part of the county became an important center for munitions production. The Anaconda Copper Company built a plant in Yerington to produce copper wire, which was used in military equipment such as radios and tanks.
In the 1960s and 1970s, Lyon County experienced significant growth as the Las Vegas metropolitan area began to expand. The county’s location along major transportation routes made it an attractive location for new businesses and residential development.
Today, Lyon County is home to a diverse economy that includes mining, agriculture, manufacturing, and tourism. The county is also known for its outdoor recreation opportunities, including boating, fishing, and hiking in the nearby mountains and deserts.
Lyon County’s rich history is preserved in several museums and historic sites throughout the county, including the Dayton Museum, the Yerington Theatre for the Arts, and the historic courthouse in downtown Yerington. Overall, Lyon County has played an important role in Nevada’s development and continues to be an important part of the state’s economy and culture.
Lyon County Map
4×4 Trails
 The Pony Express Trails and Stations In NevadaThe Pony Express operated for a very brief period of time from April 3, 1860, to October 26, 1861. The mail service allowed quick delivery… |
Lyon County Ghost Towns
 Johntown Nevada – Lyon County Ghost TownLocated in Gold Canyon between Silver City and Dayton, Johntown Nevada is the first ghost town in Lyon county. None of the buildings are currently… |
 Ludwig NevadaLudwig Nevada is a ghost Town is a historic site located in Lyon County, Nevada. The town was founded in the late 1800s by John… |
 Pine Grove Nevada – Lyon County Ghost TownOne of the lesser known yet longest running gold mining camps is Pine Grove, Nevada. Located in Lyon County, Nevada just East of the 338… |
 Sutro NevadaLocated at 4,478 feet, Sutro Nevada is a ghost town located in Lyon County Nevada built to support construction of the Sutro Tunnel. The town… |
Points of Interest
 Buckland’s StationBuckland Station is a pony express station, stage stop, boarding house and supplier near Fort Churchill in Lyon County, Nevada. The station is designated as… |
 Carson City Station – Pony Express StationCarson City Station was a pony express station located between on Carson Street between Forth and Fifth Street in Carson City, Nevada. Founded in 1858,… |
Dayton Station – Pony ExpressDayton, Nevada is a small unincorporated community, and the location of the Dayton Station Pony Express stop in Lyon County, Nevada. The little town of… |
 Devil’s Gate – Nevada State Historic Marker 223Devil's Gate, located in Lyon County, Nevada, is a striking natural landmark renowned for its rugged and otherworldly beauty. The geologic landmark is recognized as… |
 Fort Churchill NevadaFort Churchill is a Civil War era United States Army Fort, Pony Express Station and overland stage stop located in Lyon County, Nevada just West… |
Johntown Nevada – Lyon County Ghost TownLocated in Gold Canyon between Silver City and Dayton, Johntown Nevada is the first ghost town in Lyon county. None of the buildings are currently… |
Ludwig NevadaLudwig Nevada is a ghost Town is a historic site located in Lyon County, Nevada. The town was founded in the late 1800s by John… |
Pine Grove Nevada – Lyon County Ghost TownOne of the lesser known yet longest running gold mining camps is Pine Grove, Nevada. Located in Lyon County, Nevada just East of the 338… |
Sutro NevadaLocated at 4,478 feet, Sutro Nevada is a ghost town located in Lyon County Nevada built to support construction of the Sutro Tunnel. The town… |
 Sutro TunnelThe Sutro Tunnel was a drainage adit into the Comstock Load, which is located in Lyon County, Nevada. Following Silver discovers and in the Comstock… |
The Pony Express Trails and Stations In NevadaThe Pony Express operated for a very brief period of time from April 3, 1860, to October 26, 1861. The mail service allowed quick delivery… |
 Virginia and Truckee RailroadThe Virginia and Truckee Railroad is a historic railway in Nevada, renowned for its role in transporting ore during the Comstock Lode mining boom of… |
Lyon County Nevada State Historic Markers
Buckland’s StationBuckland Station is a pony express station, stage stop, boarding house and supplier near Fort Churchill in Lyon County, Nevada. The station is designated as… |
Dayton Station – Pony ExpressDayton, Nevada is a small unincorporated community, and the location of the Dayton Station Pony Express stop in Lyon County, Nevada. The little town of… |
Devil’s Gate – Nevada State Historic Marker 223Devil's Gate, located in Lyon County, Nevada, is a striking natural landmark renowned for its rugged and otherworldly beauty. The geologic landmark is recognized as… |
Sutro TunnelThe Sutro Tunnel was a drainage adit into the Comstock Load, which is located in Lyon County, Nevada. Following Silver discovers and in the Comstock… |
Lyon County Pony Express Stations
Buckland’s StationBuckland Station is a pony express station, stage stop, boarding house and supplier near Fort Churchill in Lyon County, Nevada. The station is designated as… |
Carson City Station – Pony Express StationCarson City Station was a pony express station located between on Carson Street between Forth and Fifth Street in Carson City, Nevada. Founded in 1858,… |
Dayton Station – Pony ExpressDayton, Nevada is a small unincorporated community, and the location of the Dayton Station Pony Express stop in Lyon County, Nevada. The little town of… |
Fort Churchill NevadaFort Churchill is a Civil War era United States Army Fort, Pony Express Station and overland stage stop located in Lyon County, Nevada just West… |
The Pony Express Trails and Stations In NevadaThe Pony Express operated for a very brief period of time from April 3, 1860, to October 26, 1861. The mail service allowed quick delivery… |