Few people ever stop to read the Historic Marker for Kingsbury Grade. Perhaps that’s because the marker isn’t actually on today’s Kingsbury road at all, but rather on Foothill, tucked between Mottsville and Muller Lanes. But this small sign marks a fascinating and important early site: the original jumping-off spot for emigrants bent on taking the Daggett Pass route to […]
The Legacy of Roy Thran
A ten-year-old boy. A small box of his most prized possessions. And 83 years later — a very special legacy shared. Born June 10, 1925, Roy Thran was the last of five surviving children of Dick and Marie Thran. (You may remember our story a few weeks ago about the beautiful Thran House.) Roy’s mother, Marie was 48 […]
Lost in World War I
It was going to be the “War to End All Wars.” But when America entered the dreaded conflict overseas in 1917, local draft boards all across the nation were forced to make awful decisions: choosing which of their community’s young men should be sent off to fight. Here in Douglas County, Nevada, local County Clerk […]
Tale of the Thran House — and an Old Trunk
“I’m going to build you a grand house in Carson Valley, like we have in Germany!” promised Dietrich Thran. And a “grand house” Thran built for his wife, indeed! Completed about 1910 to 1911, the house featured stained glass over the front door, stately pillars out front, and a gigantic room upstairs for dancing. Thran […]
Carson City’s “Palace”
There was a certain “ambivalence” toward prostitution in Carson City’s early days, notes historian Peter Mires. Everyone knew it was happening, but — talking about it? That was a no-no! And some fascinating history was made by what didn’t quite make it into the record books! Practice of the world’s oldest profession in Carson City […]
Genoa’s Avalanche of 1882
Genoa, Nevada has weathered its share of disasters: earthquakes, high winds, and of course the Great Fire that nearly wiped out the town in 1910. But did you know Genoa once was struck by an avalanche? The time was 5:30 a.m. on March 16, 1882. Residents who happened to be awake at that early hour heard […]
Minden’s Old-Time Judge
Clark Gable was a true gentleman. And we have that on the very best authority: straight from Minden’s own early Justice of the Peace, Walt Fisher. One of Fisher’s very first acts as JP was to perform the 1955 marriage of the much-married Gable to actress Kay Williams. The Douglas County Clerk pulled a bit of a fast […]
Earl Lessley: The Flying Cowboy
He died over half a century ago. But tales live on about Earl Lessley, the “flying cowboy”! Earl Lessley was born in 1889 in Drytown, California. His parents, Mary and Samuel Lessley, had crossed the plains from Missouri by covered wagon. Even after they arrived in California, the family evidently moved around a bit; a second […]
Snowshoe Thompson’s Headstone — Stolen??
Well, almost!! Here’s the fascinating tale about how Snowshoe’s grave got capped with concrete — and who’s sleeping in the long-forgotten grave next to him! Snowshoe Thompson, you may remember, exited this life on May 15, 1876 at his ranch in Diamond Valley, California. Just 49 years old, this giant of a man was likely felled […]
Great Nevada History Reads
You can’t have too many friends, too many adventures, or too many books. (And books, after all, are a whole lot like friends and adventures!) Here are four new Nevada history books we recently found — or that recently found us. We wanted to share in hopes they follow you home, too! Nevada State Orphans/Children’s Home: […]
Virginia City’s Cemetery
So beautiful – and so many mysteries are buried here! We recently paid a visit to the historic cemetery on the outskirts of Virginia City. Here’s Tip #1: Be sure to bring your camera. (You’ll definitely wish you had one!) And Tip #2: Don’t count on it being a quick visit. If you’re like us, you’ll find […]
Walking Tour of Old Minden, Nevada
The pillars on County Road at the entrance to the Town of Minden once proudly bore a date of 1905. Perhaps it was wishful thinking; plans for this fresh town actually weren’t approved by County commissioners until 1906. And once it was a go, new homes began to spring up immediately in the fresh town. […]