Gold!!! We arrived at the place where gold was first discovered in Nevada. The state capital is located nearby in Carson City (named after Kit Carson). Fort Churchill guarded the area from bandits, desperadoes, tribal unrest and offered protection for the thousands of emigrant trains heading west to the gold fields. From mid-1800’s to early 1900’s, this northwestern section of Nevada produced millions upon millions of dollars from gold, silver, copper, precious gems, minerals and every other kind of ore imaginable. The excitement and extravagance is still visible today in the remaining buildings, tracks, stone walls, and mine shafts. The eccentric spirit lives on in one of the smallest nations on earth, The Republic of Molossia, located in the desert foothills of the Pine Nut Mountains.
Dayton, Nevada
The 49ers settled here at the foot of Gold Canyon as soon as gold was discovered by a group of Mexican miners in 1848. Soon the world was rushing to the Nevada Territory. Dayton became the major trade center for the area boasting of the Carson River, mills, mines, and main street. The remnants of the Carson & Colorado Railroad tracks, California Trail, Pony Express Route, and Spanish Trail all criss cross through Dayton. Many of the old buildings remain and several have been featured in Hollywood films. Marilyn Monroe, Clark Gable, Eli Wallach, and Montgomery Cliff were here filming the 1960 movie, “This Misfits.” We enjoyed an icy cold brew and delicious burger at the Saloon where they frequented. The Odeon Hall, a saloon and theater built in 1862, (also featured in the movie) continues to provide live music and line dancing most nights. The Old Town section of Dayton has a clearly marked walking tour and a museum with many of the buildings converted to restaurants and shops. A lovely, walkable residential area extends from the old town with cozy homes and even an alpaca farm. The Dayton Cemetery is one of the oldest maintained cemeteries in Nevada with a large section of pioneer graves. The surrounding city of Dayton is filled with grocery stores, more restaurants, casinos, and retail shops mostly located along the busy highway leading to Carson City and Lake Tahoe, about 20 miles west.
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Dayton State Park and Rock Point Mill Ruins
On the banks of the Carson River, the lower part of this state park is a lush basin-range desert environment. Across the busy Highway 50 is the upper section which preserves the remains of Rock Point Stamp Mill. The mill was built in 1861 and rebuilt twice after fires. It was one of the largest gold and silver processing mills along the Carson River. Stone foundations and water tanks remain for exploration.
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Carson City
Carson City has been the state capital of Nevada since statehood. Several excellent museums display the rich and colorful history of the “Battle Born” state. The Nevada State Railroad Museum has a large collection of steam and motor trains with knowledgeable and friendly volunteers stationed throughout the buildings to answer questions and share the history of the golden days of the railroads. Train rides are available during special events and all of the trains on display are in working condition. The Nevada State History Museum is located in the original United States Mint building. Demonstrations of minting coins are offered during weekends. From a recreated gold mine to a Colombian Mastadon fossil skeleton to original slot machines, the multi-floor historic building showcases all things Nevada. The central portion of Carson City is filled with restaurants, casinos, shops and offices flanking the colonial style capital building and its extensive park-like grounds. For military history buffs, a visit to the Westwall Militaria shop is a must. Filled from floor to ceiling and room after room of historical and authentic military gear, books, and paraphernalia from around the world, the store could have been a museum.
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Fort Churchill State Historic Park
Fort Churchill was a desert military outpost built in 1860 to establish federal control in a resource rich and wild territory. The fort protected area settlements from Native American conflicts, and resolved disputes between miners, attacks by outlaws, ensured the valuable gold and silver shipments were safely transported to the mills and railheads, and kept communication lines in working order. The Pony Express Route maintained a station at the fort as well. The buildings are now in a state of arrested decay, but walking the grounds gives great impressions of what life must have been like inside the fort. Dry camping is available in the park with a few sites to accommodate RVs.
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The Republic of Molossia
Did you know there is a foreign country located in the heart of Nevada? The Republic of Molossia is a sovereign, independent micro-nation located in and surrounded completely by the territory of the United States. A little over 6 acres, Molossia is one of those quirky, desert anomalies that are abundant in Nevada. Somewhat serious, yet somewhat tongue-in-cheek, the micro-nation is ruled by His Excellency, President Kevin Baugh. We had the privilege of receiving a tour of the country led by the President and First Lady, personally. From passport stamps to its own currency (the Valora) and postage stamps to public works, like a national park and space port, to a complete cultural history, holidays, and traditions, including a national anthem and flag, Molossia has everything a major nation has, but in miniature. It was a fascinating visit and President Baugh and his First Lady were charming and interesting. They are frequently invited as guest lecturers throughout the United States and have an active educational partnership with many of the nearby school districts. Their website (www.Molossia.org) is a wealth of information on the incredible detail poured into the founding and management of The Republic of Molossia.
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Next on the itinerary is a visit to the Queen of the Mining Camps, Virginia City, on the V & T Railroad with stops at Silver City and Gold Hill, as well as an afternoon on the beaches of Lake Tahoe.
CAMPGROUND REVIEW: DAYTON RV PARK
Location, location, location! Dayton RV Park was a great base camp for exploring the wide variety of historic and recreational sites in this area. Located off Hwy 50, the park is next to Dayton State Park, a casino, and a short walk to the historic old town buildings, restaurants and museum. It is 20 miles to Lake Tahoe, Carson City and Virginia City. The park is clean with full hookup sites, artificial turf at each site and a picnic table. The two individual restroom/showers are huge and the laundry room was also clean. The hookups are located on the passenger side of the sites which required us to purchase an additional sewer hose extension and this unusual configuration required hoses and cords to run across the patio side of the site. The park is mostly seasonal guests and the sites are VERY close together. The park also has an inviting community BBQ area with several high end grills, tables, lounge seating, and beautiful landscaping. The WiFi was adequate for basic use and we had good T-Mobile service as well. There is so much to see and do in this area and we would stay at Dayton RV Park again.
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Next up…Part 5 – The Mother Lode!
Their RV Travels 