Historic Circle Drive - Clairitage Press

Historic Houses on Gardnerville’s Circle Drive

Remember our recent story about the V&T line to Minden, and the mystery of what became of the stationmaster’s house? We knew that this special piece of V&T history had been moved to Gardnerville, NV to become a residence. But we didn’t know just where the old yellow house wound up – or even if it still existed.

Thanks to the kind help of one of our readers, the mystery of the whereabouts of the V&T stationmaster’s house been solved! Said to be the very first house ever built in the new town of Minden, it served a succession of V&T stationmasters from 1906 to 1950 – and now sits at 1498 Circle Drive, Gardnerville.

And it even still sports its distinctive original trim! Check out these “before-and-after” pictures:

*“Before” — the Stationmaster’s house in its original location in 1950. Notice the unusual window trim at the far right side of the photo, behind the car. (Ted G. Wurm photo).*

*“After” — the Stationmaster’s house in its current location at 1498 Circle Drive, Gardnerville, Nevada. Check out the distinctive window trim still in place! (Dustman photo).*

But we were fascinated to learn that the old stationmaster’s house may not be the only historic home that got moved to Circle Drive!

You’d never know it from looking at the exterior of 1509 Circle Drive. But according to oral history handed down through a previous owner’s family, this house incorporates a much older structure: the original dwelling of Henry Van Sickle, built before his larger abode at Genoa was completed and later moved to this location.

*This modern-looking two-story house at 1509 Circle Drive might (according to oral history) incorporate an early home of Henry Van Sickle.*

Henry Van Sickle arrived in Carson Valley in 1852, and his large waystation was built by Charley Holbrook in 1857. So it makes sense that Van Sickle would have had another small home during those first early years.

*Van Sickle’s station was built in 1857. This is how it looked in the 1860s, with the two-story hotel (left). (Library of Congress photo).*

If Van Sickle’s early home was indeed moved to Circle Drive, today’s modern-looking house might incorporate one of the oldest structures in the valley.

It’s yet another fun mystery! We’re hoping that, once again, a sharp-eyed reader will be able to shed additional light on this long-handed-down story.

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More Forgotten Tales of CARSON VALLEY!
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