Tag: Nevada State Historic Markers

Nevada State Historic Markers are a series of plaques and monuments that commemorate significant sites, events, and individuals in the history of Nevada. These markers, scattered throughout the state, provide educational insights into Nevada’s rich and diverse heritage, from its Native American origins and the era of westward expansion to the development of mining towns and modern-day landmarks. Each marker offers a glimpse into the past, detailing historical narratives and cultural milestones that have shaped Nevada’s identity. They serve as accessible, public resources for residents and visitors alike, fostering an appreciation for the state’s historical journey and its contributions to the broader tapestry of American history.

Orion Clemens Home – Nevada State Historic Marker

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Orion Clemens Home is a Nevada State Historical Marker Number Seventy Eight and located in Carson City, Nevada. Orion Clemens  (July 17, 1825 – December 11, 1897) is the youngers brother of Samuel Langhorne Clemens, better known by his pen name, Mark Twain. Orion was also the first and only Secretary of the Nevada Territory.

Mark Twain stayed with his brother Orion Clemens in Carson City, Nev. Photo from Library of Congress, Prints & Photographs Division, HABS, Reproduction number HABS NEV,13-CARCI,3-.
Mark Twain stayed with his brother Orion Clemens in Carson City, Nev. Photo from Library of Congress, Prints & Photographs Division, HABS, Reproduction number HABS NEV,13-CARCI,3-.

Orion Clemens, built the house in 1862, was a lawyer who served as the first Secretary of the Nevada Territory. It has also been known as the Governor’s Mansion from times when Orion was territorial governor pro tem while Governor James W. Nye was absent.

Nevada State Historical Markers identify significant places of interest in Nevada’s history. The Nevada State Legislature started the program in 1967 to bring the state’s heritage to the public’s attention with on-site markers. Budget cuts to the program caused the program to become dormant in 2009. Many of the markers are lost of damaged.

Nevada State Historic Marker Text

Orion Clemens, secretary to territorial Governor James W. Nye, lived in this house with his wife, “Mollie,” from 1864 to 1866.  Samuel, his brother who was a reporter for the Territorial Enterprise, stayed here periodically until leaving the territory in May 1864.  He became famous as “Mark Twain.”

STATE HISTORICAL MARKER No. 78
STATE HISTORIC PRESERVATION OFFICE
JULIAN C. SMITH, JR.

Nevada State Historic Marker Summary

NameOrion Clemens Home
LocationCarson City, Nevada
Nevada State Historic Marker Number78
Latitude, Longitude39.1667, -119.7695

Nevada State Historic Marker Location

The Orion Clemens House, also known as Mark Twain’s House, is a two-story Late Victorian house located at 502 N. Division St. in Carson City.

References

Carson City Mint – Nevada State Historic Marker

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The United States Mint at Carson City, Nevada is Nevada Sate Historic Marker Number 196 and located in Carson City, Nevada.

The original Carson City building is a formal balanced, sandstone block edifice, two stories high with a centrally located, cupola. The sandstone blocks were quarried from the Nevada State prison.

On March 3, 1862, Congress passed a bill authorizing the establishment a branch of the United States mint in the Territory of Nevada. The output of the Comstock Lode Silver strike, coupled with the high bullion transportation costs to San Francisco, necessitated the action.

From its opening of the U. S. Mint in Carson City, in 1870 to the closing of the coin operations in 1893, the minted coinage amounted to $49,274,434.30. Most of the Carson City coins are scarce to rare, some of them being tremendous rarities. Others, such as the silver dollars of 1882-84, have survived in vast numbers for reasons that have nothing to do with their original mintage figures. All of these coins, whatever their rarity or market value, carry romantic associations with the Old West and the great bonanza years of the late 19th Century

Nevada State Historical Markers identify significant places of interest in Nevada’s history. The Nevada State Legislature started the program in 1967 to bring the state’s heritage to the public’s attention with on-site markers. Budget cuts to the program caused the program to become dormant in 2009. Many of the markers are lost of damaged.

Nevada State Historic Marker Text

The original Carson City building is a formal balanced, sandstone block edifice.  Two stories high with a centrally located cupola.  The sandstone blocks were quarried at the Nevada State Prison.

On March 3, 1862, Congress passed a bill establishing a branch mint in the Territory of Nevada.

The output of the Comstock Lode coupled with the high bullion transportation costs to San Francisco proved the necessity of a branch in Nevada.

From its opening in 1870 to the closing of the coin operations in 1893, coinage amounted to $49,274,434.30.

STATE HISTORICAL MARKER No. 196
NEVADA STATE PARK SYSTEM
NEVADA LANDMARKS SOCIETY

Nevada State Historic Marker Summary

NameThe United States Mint at Carson City
LocationCarson City, Nevada
Nevada State Historic Marker Number196
Latitude, Longitude39.1673, -119.7670

Nevada State Historic Marker Location

The Nevada State Historic Marker is in Carson City, Nevada. The marker is located on North Carson Street (U.S. 395), on the west side of the highway. Marker is at or near this postal address: 600 North Carson Street, Carson City NV 89701, United States of America

References

Nevada’s Capitol – Nevada State Historic Monument

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Nevada’s Capitol is located in Carson City, Nevada and designated as Nevada State Historic Marker Number Twenty Five. The capitol building is located in the state capital of Carson City at 101 North Carson Street. The building was constructed in the Neoclassical Italianate style between 1869 and 1871.

Nevada's Capital in 1875
Nevada State Capitol in 1875

The cornerstone of Nevada’s Capitol is laid on June 9, 1870. A brass box that served as a time capsule was deposited in the stone. The cornerstone was a solid block of sandstone, laid on top of blocks which contained the capsule.  The Capitol Building was designed by Joseph Gosling of San Francisco. The Building was built by Peter Cavanaugh & Son of Carson City.  Cavanaugh’s $84,000 bid was nearly half of the actual cost of the building. The building was constructed of locally-quarried sandstone.  The silver-colored cupola dome rose 120 feet above the ground.  Furnishings cost an additional $20,000.

The original building is cruciform shape in the form of a cross, with a central rectangle 76 feet wide by 85 feet deep. Each of two wings measures 35 feet wide by 52 feet in length. The window panes are made of 26-ounce French crystal. Floors and wainscotting are made of Alaskan marble which was shipped to San Francisco in 20-ton blocks. The octagonal dome topped with a cupola admits light to the second story. During 1906, an octagonal Annex was added to the rear of the capitol to house the State Library.

Nevada State Historical Markers identify significant places of interest in Nevada’s history. The Nevada State Legislature started the program in 1967 to bring the state’s heritage to the public’s attention with on-site markers. Budget cuts to the program caused the program to become dormant in 2009. Many of the markers are lost of damaged.

Nevada State Historic Marker Text

Completed in 1871, Nevada’s splendid Victorian-era Capitol was built of sandstone from the quarry of the town’s founder, Abe Curry.  The octagon annex was added in 1907, the north and south wings in 1915.  Notable features are its Alaskan marble walls, French crystal windows, and elegant interior.

NEVADA CENTENNIAL MARKER No. 25
STATE HISTORIC PRESERVATION OFFICE
SPONSOR: DAUGHTERS OF THE AMERICAN COLONISTS

Nevada State Historic Marker Summary

NameNevada’s Capitol
LocationCarson City, Nevada
Nevada State Historic Marker Number25
Latitude, Longitude39.1639, -119.7667

Nevada State Historic Marker Location

The Historic Marker located on the grounds of the Nevvada State Capitol. The marker is mounted on the capital building just to the right of the entrance doors.  The marker is at or near this postal address: 149 South Carson Street, Carson City NV 89701, United States of America.

References

Carson City – Nevada State History Marker

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Carson City Nevada State Historic Marker Number 44 is located at the State Capital of Nevada in Carson City.

Christopher 'Kit' Carson (1809-1868), American explorer - Photograph byMathew Brady or Levin C. Handy - This image is available from the United States Library of Congress's Prints and Photographs division under the digital ID cwpbh.00514.
Christopher ‘Kit’ Carson (1809-1868), American explorer – Photograph by Mathew Brady or Levin C. Handy – This image is available from the United States Library of Congress’s Prints and Photographs division under the digital ID cwpbh.00514.

Nevada State Historical Markers identify significant places of interest in Nevada’s history. The Nevada State Legislature started the program in 1967 to bring the state’s heritage to the public’s attention with on-site markers. Budget cuts to the program caused the program to become dormant in 2009. Many of the markers are lost of damaged.

Nevada State Historic Marker Text

In 1851, Frank and Warren L. Hall, George Follensbee, Joe and Frank Barnard and A.J. Rollins established one of the state’s oldest communities, Eagle Station, a trading post and ranch on the Carson Branch of the California Emigrant Trail.  The station and surrounding valley took their name from an eagle skin stretched on the wall of the trading post.

In 1858, Abraham Curry purchased much of the Eagle Ranch after finding that lots in Genoa were too expensive.  Together with his friends, Jon Musser, Frank Proctor and Ben Green, Curry platted a town he called Carson City.  Curry left a plaza in the center of the planned community for a capitol building should a territorial state seat of government eventually be located in his town.

In March 1861, Congress created the Nevada Territory.  Seven months later in November, Carson City became the capital of the territory due to the efforts of Curry and William M. Stewart, a prominent lawyer.  When Nevada became a state three years later, Carson City was selected as the state capital, and by 1871, the present capitol building was completed in the plaza Curry had reserved for it.

STATE HISTORICAL MARKER No. 44
STATE HISTORIC PRESERVATION OFFICE
CARSON CITY HISTORIC COMMISSION

Nevada State Historic Marker Summary

NameCarson City, Nevada State Historic Marker
LocationCarson City, Nevada
Nevada State Historic Marker Number44
Latitude, Longitude39.1639, -119.7670

Nevada State Historic Marker Location

This Nevada State Historic Marker can be reached from South Carson Street (U.S. 395/50) near East Musser Street. The marker is located on the grounds of the Nevada State Capitol Plaza on the main walkway to the Capitol building.  Marker is at or near this postal address: 149 South Carson Street, Carson City NV 89701, United States of America

References

Chief Tecopa – Peacemaker of the Paiutes

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Chief Tecopa – Peacemaker of the Paiutes is Nevada State Historic Marker number 171 and located in Nye County, Nevada. The monument is located at his graveside in Chef Tecopa Cemetery in Pahrump, Nye County, Nevada. Tecopa (c. 1815–1904)  was a Native American leased of the Southern Nevada tribe of the Paiute of the Ash Meadows and Pahrump areas.

Chief Tecopa, very early 1900s.
Tecopa, very early 1900s.

Tecopa, who’s name means wildcat, along with several other warriors joined Kit Carson and John C. Fremont in the battle of Resting Springs which lasted for three days.

Tecopa maintained peaceful relations with the white settlers to the region and was known as a peacemaker. He often wore a bright red band suit with gold braid and a silk top hat. These clothes are replaced by local white miners when the clothes wore out. This gesture is in gratitude for Tecopa’s help in maintaining peaceful relations with the Paiute.

Tecopa is buried with his son and grandson at the Chief Tecopa Cemetery in the Pahrump Valley, Nevada.

Nevada State Historic Marker Text

Chief Tecopa – Peacemaker of the Paiutes

Chief Tecopa was a young man when the first European Americans came to Southern Nevada. As a leader among the Southern Paiutes, he fought with vigor to save their land and maintain a traditional way of life. He soon realized if his people were to survive and prosper, he would have to establish peace and live in harmony with the foreigners.

During his life, which spanned almost the entire nineteenth century, his time and energy were devoted to the betterment of his people until his death here in Pahrump Valley.

Chief Tecopa is honored for the peaceful relations he maintained between the Southern Paiutes and the settlers who came to live among them.

STATE HISTORICAL MARKER NO. 171
STATE HISTORIC PRESERVATION OFFICE
CALIFORNIA & NEVADA DEVELOPMENTORGANIZATION

Nevada State Historic Marker Summary

NameChief Tecopa – Peacemaker of the Paiutes
LocationPahrump, Nye County, Nevada
Nevada State Historic Marker171
Latitude, Longitude36.2091, -115.9895

Nevada State Historic Marker Location

References