Carson City Nevada history

Following the discovery of gold and silver on the nearby Comstock Lode in 1859, Carson City became a thriving commercial center.

Name | Adopted in 1861 when territory was established; from Spanish meaning “snow-capped.”

Carson City was confirmed as Nevada's permanent capital with statehood in 1864, and development thereafter was no longer completely dependent on the health of the Comstock mines.

The V&T was completed between Carson City and Virginia City in 1869, with the railroad's shops and main offices in Carson City.

In 1870, the Virginia & Truckee, Queen of the Short-Line Railroads, was completed between Virginia City and Carson City and transported the rich silver ore from the mines.

In 1873 Curry died of a stroke.

By 1874, when the Comstock mines were reaching their peak production, 36 trains a day passed through Carson City.

1875 Carson City, Nevada is formally incorporated.

The Carlson House is a popular modern restaurant set in the wonderfully restored 1876 Rinckel Mansion, the city's second-oldest residence, with service offered in the garden during the summer months.

In 1879, a branch of the United States Mint was established in Carson City to strike coins from the Comstock Silver Lode.

State Seal | Adopted February 24, 1886.

Carson City’s first telephone line was strung in 1888.

In 1897, Carson City became the focus of worldwide attention when it became the site of a world heavyweight championship fight in which Britain Bob Fitzsimmons won over "Gentleman Jim" Corbett.

Economic Information: Carson City Area Chamber of Commerce, 1900 S. Carson St, Carson City, NV 89701; telephone (775)882-1565; fax (775)882-4179; email ccchamber@carsoncitychamber.com.

1910 The first air flight in Nevada took place in Carson City on June 23, 1910.

1911 A several-mile stretch of Carson Street is surfaced making it Carson City’s first paved road.

1919 The first trans-Sierra airplane flight landed in Carson City, Nevada on March 22, 1919.

Desperate Trails (1921)””Silent movie about an innocent convict who seeks revenge on those who sent him to jail starred Harry Carey.

Discovered by archaeologists in 1924 during an excavation at Lovelock Cave, the 11 decoys are each formed of a bundle of bullrush (tule) stems, bound together and shaped to resemble a canvasback duck.

In 1930 the population had dwindled to 1,800, about a quarter of what it had been at the peak of the mining boom 50 years earlier.

Since gambling was legalized in 1931, tourism has also been important to the Carson City economy, and the resort city is drawing increasingly more visitors.

Bertha Raffetto of Reno, adopted February 6, 1933. “Home” means Nevada, “Home” means the hills, “Home” means the sage and the pines.

1941 C.B. Austin became the first elected mayor of Carson City, Nevada.

The Remarkable Andrew (1942) Comedy about an accountant accused of embezzling who is aided by the ghost of Andrew Jackson starred William Holden.

1950 The last train of the original Virginia & Truckee Railroad completes its run from Reno to Minden.

Carson City Library, built in 1966, offers over 116,000 volumes, 200 periodical subscriptions, and 3,200 audio tapes.

In 1969 the city of Carson City and Ormsby county were consolidated to form one governmental unit called Carson City.

Western Nevada Community College was established there in 1971.

Flesh and Blood (1979) Film about an ex-con who becomes a professional boxer starred Tom Berenger.

1986 Great Basin National Park, the only national park in the state, was created.

At the Great Basin Wildlife Center, opened in 1992, visitors can observe coyotes, foxes, eagles, raccoons, a mountain lion, and a black bear, as well as geology and botany displays.

Sworn to Vengeance (1993) Drama about a policeman seeking vengeance for the murder of three teens starred Robert Conrad.

Trail of Tears (1995) Drama about two women seeking the return of their kidnapped children starred Katy Sagal and Pam Dawber.

It was expanded in 1997.

The Carson City Symphony, renamed in 1998 from Carson City Chamber Orchestra, presents five annual classical concerts.

Since 1999 it has shared in a $5 million joint-use project with Western Nevada Community College named the Jim Randolph High-Tech Center.

United States rank in 2000: 680th (State rank: 9th)

Taxable sales totaled over $860 million in 2003 with nearly half of that from car and other retail sales.

Western Nevada Community College opened the 34,000-square-foot New Library & Student Center on its Carson City campus in January 2004.

With a growing population comes an increased need for medical facilities, which will be addressed with the opening of the $132 million Carson-Tahoe Regional Medical Center in late 2005.

The challenging and long-discussed project is estimated to cost nearly $70 million; the 4.8-mile northern half is scheduled to open in 2006.

Training programs supported by the state and pro-business policies have helped make Nevada the fastest growing state in the nation with an anticipated 15 percent increase in the workforce by 2010.