Fort Churchill and Beyond

18 March 2014

Our drive today took us down 50 with a stop at Fort Churchill on 95A just south of Silver Springs enroute to Carson City.

After paying our $7 entry fee, we stopped at the Visitor Center to view the exhibits detailing the history of the Fort. There is also dry camping in the park featuring a fire ring and table. An RV dump is nearby. Not a place I would camp due to rattlesnakes.
In fact, had it not been very cool today, would not have walked the paths around the fort.

Entry

Diagram of Fort

Fort Signage

Museum Display

Visitor Center

Visitor Display

Visitor Center

Diagram of Fort

Fort Churchill was established in 1860 on the Carson River at a cost of $180,000 to guard the Pony Express run and other mail routes. Adobe buildings were constructed in the form of a square facing the parade grounds. During the Civil War, the fort became an important supply depot for the Nevada Military District. The fort was abandoned in 1869 and buildings auctioned for $750. In 1884 the remains of soldiers buried in the post cemetery were moved to Carson City. The Buckland family who were pioneer ranchers are still buried here. In 1957 the state finally gained control and the CCC renovated what was left after years of deterioration.

Cemetery

View From Visitor Center

Laundry

Barracks

Mess Hall

Officer Quarters

Post Headquarters

Hospital

Signage for California Trail

After touring the fort we drove back to Hwy 50 west with stops to try and locate sites for Forts Hays,Stone,Homestead and Nye.

Progress has obliterated any signage except for Nye which is surrounded by new homes. Fort Homestead was located in Gold Hill near Virginia City. John thought he found the location, but with no clear marker and on private property we couldn't be sure.

We did a brief drive through Virginia City, with the intent of returning when we drive to Reno.

View of High Sierras

Virginia City

Comstock Lode Display

Virginia City Signage

We stopped in Carson City to take photo of the capitol and then drove 395 south to Genoa to visit Fort Genoa and now Mormon Station State Park. It is not open until May to our disappointment, but well worth the short drive. Genoa was founded in 1851 and the first settlement in the Nevada Territory. A charming town nestled at the base of the eastern slope of the Sierra Nevada Range.
would recommend this as a stop and visit if in the Reno or Carson City area. There are shops and local eateries to experience.

Carson City NV Capitol

Museum in Genoa

Hotel

Mormon Station Park

Sculpture in Park

Pink House B&B

General Store

Tomorrow we are just going to relax, visit the base museum and catch up on website and blog.