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

Nevada’s First Gold Discovery

Photographed By Paulette Nelson, December 12, 2019

1. Nevada’s First Gold Discovery Marker

Inscription. In July 1849, Abner Blackburn, a former member of the Mormon Battalion, made the first gold discovery in what is now Nevada near this site (see the canyon to the right). William Prouse, a member of a passing emigrant party, made a second discovery further up Gold Canyon in May 1850. The discoverers of these placer gold deposits believed the promised riches of California to be greater. Most emigrants consequently continued their westward journeys, but a few returned after finding most of California’s Motherlode creeks and rivers already claimed.
By the spring of 1851, some 200 placer miners, including James “Old Virginny” Finney, were working in the area. The continuous occupation of Gold Canyon’s mouth makes this site Nevada’s first non-Native American settlement. Dayton, also known as Chinatown, became a mineral milling, commercial, and agricultural center after prospectors and placer miners worked their way up Gold Creek. This monument commemorates the 150th anniversary of the discovery of gold and the thousands of pioneers who passed near this site.

Erected by State Historic Preservation Office, Blackburn Family Assoc., Dayton Hist. Society, Dayton Sesq. Comm., Lyon Co. Comm., Nevada Mining Assoc. (Marker Number 257.)

Topics. This historical marker is listed in these

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topic lists: Industry & Commerce • Notable Places. A significant historical year for this entry is 1949.

Location. 39° 14.15′ N, 119° 35.507′ W. Marker is in Dayton, Nevada, in Lyon County. Marker is at the intersection of Cemetery Road/Main Street and Shady Lane on Cemetery Road/Main Street. Marker is located at the Dayton Township Justice Court Building. Touch for map. Marker is at or near this postal address: 235 Main Street, 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. The Dayton, Sutro & Carson Valley Railroad (here, next to this marker); Hall's Station (within shouting distance of this marker); Nevada Added Station (about 300 feet away, measured in a direct line); Union Hotel & Post Office (about 400 feet away); Odeon Saloon - Billiard Parlour (about 400 feet away); The Misfits (about 500 feet away); Where Nevada Began (about 500 feet away); The Road to Nowhere (about 500 feet away). Touch for a list and map of all markers in Dayton.

Photographed By Paulette Nelson, December 12, 2019

2. Nevada’s First Gold Discovery Marker

Photographed By Paulette Nelson, December 12, 2019

3. Nevada’s First Gold Discovery Marker

Credits. This page was last revised on December 19, 2019. It was originally submitted on December 17, 2019, by Paulette Nelson of N Las Vegas, Nevada. This page has been viewed 349 times since then and 68 times this year. Photos: 1, 2, 3. submitted on December 17, 2019, by Paulette Nelson of N Las Vegas, Nevada. • Syd Whittle was the editor who published this page.

Editor’s want-list for this marker. View of the canyon mentioned in the marker text. • Can you help?