More Nevada

The year was 1860, and the fear of Indian attacks was at its peak.  Talk of Indian atrocities at Williams Station, a Carson River outpost 30 miles east of Carson City, filtered back to Carson Valley settlers, who demanded immediate protection .....

Fort Churchill was named in honor of Sylvester Churchill, the Inspector General of the US Army.  Adobe buildings were erected on stone foundations in the form of a square, facing a central parade ground. The Civil War made the fort an important supply depot for the Nevada Military District and as a base for troops patrolling the overland routes.

The day I visited, so did about 160 children, ages ranging from 6 to 16.  They are part of a homeschool cooperative and that was the day for their field trip.

Next, I drove to Genoa to see the Genoa Hanging Tree.  In 1897, a drifter that was accused of murder was lynched from a tree in Genoa. Afterward, it is said that those involved with the lynching "suffered injuries, great tragedies in their families, or terrible calamities."  Since it wasn't labeled, I don't know which of the trees was the actual tree, or if it still exists, but I imagine it would look like this one.

One of the disadvantages of traveling during the shoulder season is that some things might not be open.  Such was the case of the other two reasons for visiting Genoa; the Courthouse Museum and The Mormon Station Historic State Monument.  Oh well, something to save for next time.

And then a drive over the summit on Hwy 50 to see Cave Rock.  It is a 75-foot solid rock opening to an extinct volcano.  Tahoe Tessie, the lake's version of the Loch Ness monster, is reputed to live in a cavern below.  Washoe Indians consider this area a sacred burial site.  Lake Tahoe was beautiful.

By far the highlight of my day was a stop at the Nevada State Museum in Carson City, the capital of Nevada.  This is one of the better-done museums I have toured.   The primary building of the Museum is the former Carson City Mint.  There are three floors: the basement is set up to resemble a mine, the main or first floor has the coin press, a mint, etc. and a ghost town, the second floor has Nevada history.  When I arrived I only had about an hour before they closed; not nearly enough time.  A half day would have been better.  It was all, like I said, very well done and interesting.  The mine was spooky; so glad I'm not a miner!  I was thankful for the lights and the many exit signs.