History of Carson City

The Nevada state capital, Carson City, which lies south of Reno, takes its name from the Wild West hero Kit Carson. Features of interest in Carson City are the State Capitol building, with a silver dome, and the Nevada State Museum, which includes a reproduction of a silver-mine.

The Consolidated Municipality of Carson City, Nevada's territorial and state capital, has a rich and colorful frontier past.  Carson City was founded as a community in 1858, seven years after the first settlement of Eagle Station trading post in 1851. Eagle Valley had been settled by ranchers. Carson City is named for the famous frontiersman and scout Christopher "Kit" Carson. During his 1843-1844 expedition, John C. Fremont had named Carson City's nearby river for Kit Carson, Fremont's scout.  Pioneer Abraham Curry arrived in Eagle Valley in 1858 and soon thereafter surveyed and plotted a town site.  A cadre of well-connected attorneys whose names still decorate street signs here (Proctor, Musser) bought the richest part of the valley for $500 and a herd of horses. The farsighted and optimistic Curry set aside 10 acres expressly for the construction of a capitol -- this was before the formation of Nevada Territory in 1861. Carson City was soon designated both the territorial capital and county seat of the new Ormsby County.  President Abraham Lincoln, recognizing the importance of Nevada's silver and gold to the Union's Civil War effort, signed the proclamation that ushered Nevada into statehood on October 31, 1864.  Carson City was selected as the state capital at the constitutional convention and has retained that honor to the present day.

The magnificent 1890 Federal Building is a Carson City landmark. It has been renamed the Paul Laxalt building in honor of Nevada's former Governor and United States Senator.In 1933 the highway was paved through town, but for a long time afterward the kids could roller skate on it without worrying too much about traffic. In those innocent days Carson City advertised itself as America's smallest state capital.

In 1960 Carson City regained its 1880 population level, and in 1969 Ormsby County was merged into Carson City to consolidate government services. There are now nine state capitals with smaller populations than Carson City, and in fact, with its area of 146 square miles, Carson City could now advertise itself as one of the largest state capitals in America!

Tourist Attractions in Carson City

Bowers Mansion Park
The wonderful Bowers Mansion Park in near Carson City is a testament to the wealth of Lemul "Sandy" Bowers. It was built in 1863 and cost $400,000 to build, a very large sum of money at the time. Following the financial ruin of the Bower's the mansion was operated as a lodge and today is managed by the Washoe County Parks Department. Beside the mansion is a park that features a swimming pool, picnic areas, and a playground.

Brewery Arts Center
The Brewery Arts Center is the cultural heartbeat of Carson City. This wonderful venue provides a regular roster of local, national, and international events. The Brewery Arts Center consists of two unlikely buildings, an old brewery building from 1864 and the former St Teresa Church. Gallery space, classrooms, an auditorium, a gift shop, and a beautifully restored ballroom all complete the complex.

Childrens Museum of Northern Nevada
The Children's Museum of Northern Nevada in Carson City is a fun place to take the youngsters. Here they will find a wide array of interactive and interesting exhibits including Stuffy's Playhouse, Jacobs Ladder, and Smith's Grocery store among 17 others. Other interesting displays in the Children's Museum of Northern Nevada include a vintage rocking horse collection, mineral rock collection, and a HO train collection.