Dayton in Lyon County, Nevada — The American Mountains (Southwest)

Dayton

Photographed By Paulette Nelson, December 12, 2019

1. Dayton Marker

Current text cut in stone, as of 2019.

Inscription. Dayton, one of the earliest settlements in Nevada was first known as a stopping place on the river for California-bound pioneers. Coming in from the desert they rested here before continuing westward.
In 1849, gold was found at the mouth of Gold Canyon and prospecting began in the canyons to the west. This led to the discovery of the fabulous ore deposits at Gold Hill and Virginia City in 1859.
Called by several different names in its early years, the place became Dayton in 1861, named in honor of John Day who laid out the town.
For many decades Dayton prospered as a mill and trading center, and remained the county seat for Lyon County until 1911.

Erected by Nevada State Park System. (Marker Number 7.)

Topics. This historical marker is listed in this topic list: Settlements & Settlers. A significant historical year for this entry is 1849.

Location. 39° 14.174′ N, 119° 35.359′ W. Marker is in Dayton, Nevada, in Lyon County. Marker is at the intersection of Main Street and Dayton Valley Road, on the right when traveling north on Main Street. Marker is on the southeast corner. Touch for map. Marker is in this post office area: Dayton NV 89403, United States of America. Touch for directions.

Other nearby markers. At least 8 other markers are within walking distance of this marker. Chinatown (here, next to this marker); The Pony Express (here, next to this marker);

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Chief Truckee (within shouting distance of this marker); Carson & Colorado Railroad (within shouting distance of this marker); The Road to Nowhere (within shouting distance of this marker); Where Nevada Began (within shouting distance of this marker); Union Hotel & Post Office (about 300 feet away, measured in a direct line); Nevada Added Station (about 400 feet away). Touch for a list and map of all markers in Dayton.

Also see . . . New Amended Text for Marker. The Nevada State Historic Preservation Office (SHPO) recently updated the text of the roughly 260 state historical markers in Nevada. The Nevada SHPO placed the amended text of each individual marker on its website and will change the actual markers in the field as funding allows. Minor changes have been made to the marker for grammar and readability. In regards to content, the marker was amended to indicate that Abner Blackburn found a gold nugget at the mouth of Gold Canyon and to change that prospecting began in the canyons to the north. The link will take you to the Nevada SHPO page for the marker with the amended

Photographed By Bill Kirchner, October 6, 2013

2. Dayton Marker

This original marker was replaced.

text. (Submitted on November 12, 2013, by Duane Hall of Abilene, Texas.)

Photographed By Bill Kirchner, October 6, 2013

3. Dayton Marker

Dayton Marker is in center of photograph.

Credits. This page was last revised on December 19, 2019. It was originally submitted on October 24, 2013, by Bill Kirchner of Tucson, Arizona. This page has been viewed 605 times since then and 10 times this year. Photos: 1. submitted on December 17, 2019, by Paulette Nelson of N Las Vegas, Nevada. 2, 3. submitted on October 24, 2013, by Bill Kirchner of Tucson, Arizona. • Syd Whittle was the editor who published this page.