About fifteen minutes outside of Carson City, nestled against the beautiful Sierra Nevada Mountains, resides Nevada’s first settlement, Genoa. Established in 1850 by Mormon pioneers in what would eventually become the Nevada Territory, Genoa was home to Nevada’s first newspaper, hotel, and court. The Genoa Bar, billed as “Nevada’s Oldest Thirst Parlor”, was frequented by such famous men as Mark Twain, Teddy Roosevelt, and Johnny Cash.

 

Much of the town was destroyed by a fire in 1910, but many historic buildings survive and are now part of the Genoa Historic Distric, also known as Mormon Station.

This week I headed to the historic settlement to visit the beautiful little town and to learn more about the history of the proud state of Nevada.

This is a reproduction of the original fort at Mormon Station, rebuilt in 1947 after the fire of 1910

 

Beautiful grassy area just inside the fort

Examples of wagons used by the pioneers in 1850  

Another park and wooded area sits adjacent to Mormon Station    

Standing in downtown Genoa looking toward the historic courthouse

Took some time to visit the Genoa museum, located in the renovated Genoa Courthouse. Below is the original recorder’s room, filled with authentic 19th century artifacts from the Genoa’s historic era    

Exhibit dedicated to the Washoe Indians, who populated Carson Valley and much of Nevada prior to the western settlers.  

Exhibit on the original town Blacksmith, including a variety of tools and forges used in the day. 

The original jail cells used in the court. Apparently, when the courthouse was being renovated, a hole was found above the left jail cell. An inmate had attempted to escape by tunneling out through the roof, only to be failed by a ten inch plate of steel.

The renovated courtroom on the second floor of the courthouse. This room was easily my favorite, with its antique wooden floors creaking beneath your feet and the wide open room, really letting you imagine being part of courtroom proceedings in 1850.

Monument to Snowshoe Thompson, one of Genoa’s more incredible residents. Mail delivery in the area was made difficult due to the large amounts of snowfall. During these heavy winters, Snowshow, or John Albert Thomson, would strap on ten-foot skies and carry 60-70 pound bags of mail over the snow from Placerville to Genoa, and sometimes even Virginia City. Thompson never accepted payment for his deliveries, and even assisted in several snow rescues of stranded travelers. A large statue is dedicated to him in the town square, as is this exhibit. 

Statue of Snowshoe Thompson

Downstairs parlor of the courthouse. Lots of fascinating artifacts in this room. 

Large antique china collection in the parlor

Another really cool artifact in the museum: a bell originally cast in Sheffield, England. The story of the bell is a bit sad; the bell was shipped all the way from England to San Francisco, then brought over the mountains to the town where a group of settlers were intending to use it for their new church. However, the year the bell arrived also happened to be the year that James Marshall discovered gold at Sutter’s Mill, launching the Gold Rush of 1849. Most of the able-bodied men left the town, and the Church was never built. However, when the courthouse became a temporary school, it was decided that the bell would be moved to the courthouse. It is traditionally rung on Independence Day.

Kitchen in the upstairs area of the Courthouse    

Outside view of the Courthouse

The historic Genoa hotel  

Dirt lane behind the Courthouse and Hotel  

Looking towards downtown. Sunlight gets lost super quick here due to the mountains.

Monument to Snowshoe Thompson in the center of town.  

Lots of antique buildings line the streets of Genoa  

The Genoa Bar! Nevada’s oldest thirst parlor, visited by the likes of Mark Twain, Johnny Cash, and Teddy Roosevelt. This place is AWESOME. Old, antique bar and bar stools and the whole place just feels like a time capsule, definitely a fun place to visit. Didn’t have time to get a drink, unfortunately, but I will definitely be back soon!      

 

Genoa is easily one the coolest places I’ve visited. So few historic towns are so well preserved, and in such a beautiful location. I had the good fortune to be visiting on an off-season day, so the town was quiet and serene. There’s so much history, and places to discover in this town, and most of the historic buildings are situated close together, making it easily to simply park your car and walk around and enjoy the town. Conveniently located just seven miles out of Minden and about fifteen minutes out of Carson City, this little gem of a town is a wonderful and easy place to visit. I will most definitely be going back soon.