| Page Views: 4,948 Last Visit to Carson City: - | Carson City, Nevada by al_mary - last update: Dec 19, 2005 |
Carson City - Nevada's Capital
In 1861 the Nevada Territory was formed, and Carson made its capital.
Nevada was granted statehood on Oct. 31, 1864.
Carson City sits in the center of one of the most scenic and historic areas
in the country, making it the perfect starting point for sightseeing.
The habitat of the Eastern Sierra must have been a welcome refuge for
explorers Kit Carson and John C. Fremont as they rode into Eagle Valley
during their 1840s quest to map the West.
To the east, long stretches of desert mark the difficult terrain settlers had to
endure to get here. To the west, the Sierra Nevada mountains stretch out as
a gateway to the Pacific.
In 1859, gold prospectors hit silver in the hills east of Carson City. The
Comstock Lode, as it was called, was the largest silver find in world history.
Tens of thousands of miners poured into Carson City and Virginia City.
In the 1860's, Carson City was a station on the Pony Express and the
Overland mail under both Butterfield and Wells, Fargo and Co. In 1861,
true to Curry's prediction, and largely because of his shrewd maneuvers,
Carson City became the capital of the Nevada Territory.
Despite its small population and expansive territory (Nevada is the seventh
largest state), statehood was inevitable. War was brewing in the east, and
Nevada's wealth, as well as its congressional votes, would prove vital to the
Union war effort. Nevada was granted statehood on Oct. 31, 1864.
Each year Nevada's "Battle Born" roots are celebrated in Carson City with the
Nevada Day parade ......
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|  | Kit Carson - Frontiersman
Frontiersman Kit Carson's stopover in Northern
Nevada during his journey to map the west during
the 1840s left an indelible mark on an area that
bears his name in the town of Carson City, as
well as the areas of Carson Valley and Carson Pass.
In 1826, he ran away from his Kentucky home at the
age of 17, making his way to New Mexico territory where
he gained notariety as a hunter, trapper and guide.
By 1842, his reputation earned him a spot on a mission
to map California with then Lt. John C. Fremont of the
Army Corps of Engineers. It was during that trip that
Carson and Fremont happened upon unchartered
portions of Northern Nevada, creating the maps, with
references to "Carson Pass" - that would guide the
settlers that followed. Ironically, Carson would not visit
Carson City until after it had been settled.
In 1846, during the Mexican-American War, Carson joined
the U.S. Army's march on California. In 1854 he was appointed
agent for the Ute and Apache tribes in Taos, New Mexico.
Carson's military life extended to the Civil War where, as a
brevet brigadier general, he led volunteers from New Mexico
in 1865, he died three years later ......
Click To Enlarge Photo
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Nevada Law Enforcement Officers Memorial
Nevada Law Enforcement Officers Memorial
401 S. Carson
Located in the park in front of the Capitol
Monument features plaques, inscribed poetry,
and a list of Nevada law enforcement officers
who lost their lives on the job ......
Click To Enlarge Photo | | | Law Enforcement Officers Memorial |
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al_mary's Carson City Travel Tips
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Tips: 1 - Photos: 5 | Hotels & Accommodations | | | | Nightlife | Off The Beaten Path | | | | Tourist Traps | Warnings Or Dangers | | | | Transportation | Local Customs | | | | Packing Lists | Shopping | | | | Sports Travel | General Tips |
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