Genoa in Douglas County, Nevada — The American Mountains (Southwest)

Mormon Station State Historic Park

Utah Territory image. Click for full size.

Photographed by Joseph Alvarado, May 14, 2023

1. Utah Territory

Panel One

Inscription. Panel One: Utah Territory The area now making up the state of Nevada was acquired by the United States after the Mexican-American War. This newly acquired land was generally labeled as unorganized territory until 1850. The State of Deseret was an early Provisional State proposed for this land in 1849 by Mormon settlers in Salt Lake City. Ultimately, the administration of President Zachary Taylor was not sympathetic to the Mormon's desires of establishing this giant state.

In 1850, the unorganized territory was divided into the State of California, and the territories of New Mexico and Utah. By this time, President Taylor had died and the Presidency had fallen into the hands of Millard Fillmore. Fillmore was sympathetic and very friendly to the Mormon cause. The leader of the Mormon Church, Brigham Young, was appointed as the governor of Utah Territory on September 20, 1850.

Panel Two: Territorial Status and Freedom from Utah Nevada gained territorial status on March 2, 1861, due to the population explosion from the discovery of the Comstock lode. Two days later, Abraham Lincoln became the President of the United States. James W. Nye was selected as territorial Governor for patronage reasons and as a reward for his services. He was to ensure that Nevada Territory would remain loyal to the Union. Orion Clemens was appointed as Secretary of the Territory because of his political connections. Secretary Clemens came to Nevada by overland stage with his younger brother Samuel Clemens. Samuel Clemens went on to become the famous Mark Twain who poked fun at the world, including the territorial politicians.

Nevada officially became a state on October 31, 1864. The reasons for Nevada's statehood were political, not economic. By the time Congress approved the Enabling Act for Nevada on March 21, 1864, the Civil

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War was winding down. The Union had won critical battles at Gettysburg and Vicksburg, and the South was in shambles. President Lincoln sought reelection, and new states and their votes were needed to support his policies. Among these policies was the 13th Amendment abolishing slavery. If Nevada was a state, it could ratify the amendment and help pass this landmark piece of legislation. Nevada is the "Battle Born" state because of its entrance into the union during the Civil War. The discovery of the Comstock Lode influenced its territorial status, but the leap to statehood was purely political.

Panel Three: Pony Express As California's population began to boom during the gold rush, so did the demand for a reliable mail service. This demand increased even further at the approach of the Civil War. Alexander Majors, William Waddell, and William Hepburn Russell partnered in 1855 and ran a freighting company with government contracts for delivering army supplies to the west. Russell came up with the idea of a similar contract they could possibly get for a fast mail service. If they utilized a short route with mounted riders instead of

Territorial Status and Freedom from Utah image. Click for full size.

Photographed by Joseph Alvarado, May 14, 2023

2. Territorial Status and Freedom from Utah

Panel Two

stagecoaches, they figured they could establish a mail route from Missouri to California with a delivery time of 10 days. After that, the mail could run by boat to San Francisco. At the time, this was considered an impossible feat. It took Russell, Majors, and Waddell two months to organize and put together the Pony Express in the winter of 1860. The operation assembled 120 riders, 400 horses, and several hundred personnel.

The mail route was approximately 1,900 miles long, with around 184 stations in between. The stations were set 12 to 25 miles apart. A single rider would ride 75 to 100 miles while changing horses at every station. It took approximately 75 horses to make a one-way trip from Missouri to California. The Pony Express only lasted 19 months. It became obsolete when the transcontinental telegraph reached the west.

Panel Four: Pony Express Life at the Pony Express stations was pretty rough, especially at the remote stations. "Setting aside the chance of death... the work is severe; the diet is sometimes reduced to wolf-mutton, or a little boiled wheat and rye, and the drink to brackish water; a pound of tea comes occasionally,

Pony Express image. Click for full size.

Photographed by Joseph Alvarado, May 14, 2023

3. Pony Express

Panel Three

but the draughty souls are always out of whisky and tobacco." Richard F. Burton

The Genoa Pony Express Station was located right across Main Street, just south of where the firehouse sits today. Unfortunately, the Genoa Station burned down in 1910. After leaving Genoa Station, riders either headed to Carson City Station to the East, or to Woodfords or Friday's Station to the West.

The mail was kept in specially designed mail pouches called mochilas. On each of the four corners were weather proof cantinas which were small leather boxes. Three of these boxes were padlocked, and only the station keepers at St. Joseph and Sacramento had the keys. The other was used for mail picked up along the way.

The cost to mail a letter delivered by the Pony Express was very expensive. It was $5.00 to send a 1/2-ounce letter (about $130.00 to today's standards). By the end of the Pony Express period, the price had dropped to $1.00 per 1/2 ounce, but even that was considered expensive (equivalent to $26 today).

Billy Tate was a 14-year-old Pony Express rider who rode the trail in Nevada. During the Paiute uprising of 1860, he was chased by a band

Photographed by Joseph Alvarado, May 14, 2023

4. Pony Express

Panel Four

of Paiute Indians on horseback and was forced to retreat into the hills behind some rocks. He ended up killing seven of his assailants in a shoot-out before being killed himself. His body was found riddled with arrows but was not scalped, a sign that the Paiutes honored their enemy.

Panel Five:Pioneer Remedies The early pioneers were unaware that germs caused many diseases. Because of this, early medicine was like a guessing game. When doctors were available, they were often no more knowledgeable than the patients themselves. This led to some very questionable remedies.

Many settlers suffered from a disease called ague. Symptoms were similar to those of the flu and included fever, coughing, chills, and achiness. One so called "cure" for this disease was to kill a chicken and hold it's body against the patient's bare feet while he or she swallowed a ball of cobwebs!

Baldness: Smear your head with fresh cow manure.
Cuts: Pack the cut with axle grease.
Coughs: Put some cow dung in water and bring it to a boil. Gargle the water three times a day.
Crick in the neck: Go down to the hog pen and find where the hog has rubbed his

Pioneer Remedies image. Click for full size.

Photographed by Joseph Alvarado, May 14, 2023

5. Pioneer Remedies

Panel Five

neck against the fence, then rub your neck in the same spot and the crick will be gone.

What a quack! Sometimes pioneers were so desperate for a cure that they turned to a quacksalver, or quack for short. Quacks claimed to have miracle cures for all sorts of illnesses. Some of these cures contained unhealthy and even dangerous ingredients. Today we still call a doctor with questionable cures a quack.

Panel Six: Pioneer Sayings Going to see the Elephant
On the California Trail, the elephant was a metaphor for the exotic sights that travelers expected to see once they reached California. As the journey began, "seeing the elephant" was a positive allusion. As life on the trail got rough, references to the elephant became more and more negative.

Sleep Tight, Don't Let the Bedbugs Bite!
During the 1800's, beds were made very differently than today. Strings were strung across a wooden frame, allowing an area for a mattress to be placed. The tighter the strings, the more comfortable the bed. Early mattresses were made of straw and feathers. Bugs ended up living in these mattresses, resulting in bug bites and sleepless nights. Although

Pioneer Sayings image. Click for full size.

Photographed by Joseph Alvarado, May 14, 2023

6. Pioneer Sayings

Panel Six

our beds today are usually bug free, the saying remains.

Mind your Ps and Qs
Inns were places where people stayed during their travels and gathered to drink beer or liquor. Mugs of beer only came in two sizes, pints and quarts. If a customer got a little rowdy, the bartender told that person to mind their Ps and Qs. This meant to remember how much they had drank. Today the phrase means to "mind your manners."

Stogie
Today, cigars are sometimes referred to as stogies. As the pioneers traveled west, Conestoga wagon drivers frequently smoked cigars. They thought that the cigar would act as a filter and keep the dust out of their throats. So many wagon drivers smoked cigars that they eventually became known as "Conestogas," or stogies for short.

Bite the Bullet
In pioneer times, if an arm or leg was seriously wounded or badly broken, it would have to be cut off. There were no serious painkillers for the operation. The patient was given a bullet to bite on so they wouldn't scream. Today, "bite the bullet" means to accept an unpleasant situation with courage.

Panel Seven: Mormon Station State Historic Park Mormon Station offers
Photographed by Joseph Alvarado, May 14, 2023

7. Mormon Station State Historic Park
Panel Seven
many different events throughout the year. Please see the park's bulletin board or check out the museum for more information on upcoming events.

Facilities Park
The park is open year round. Picnic tables and grills are provided throughout the park. Picnickers may enjoy the lush lawns and mature shade trees.
Museum
The museum tells the colorful story of the first settlement of Nevada. It holds many original artifacts from the pioneer families of the area.
Group Use Areas
The park's group use pavilion is available for private events. Groups may also reserve the stockade area as well. Reservations are required, please call (775) 782-2590 to reserve your spot today.

Wildlife
Although Mormon Station is considered an urban park, many different types of wildlife frequent the area. Mule Deer, Bald Eagles, Mountain Lions, Black Bears

Please Help Us Keep This Park Clean and Safe for Everyone
• Please do not feed or chase any wildlife
• Please keep all dogs on a leash
• Please put all trash inside a bear proof trash can or dumpster
• Please do not climb on the trees

Panel Eight: Nearby Nevada State Parks Lake Tahoe Nevada

Nearby Nevada State Parks image. Click for full size.

Photographed by Joseph Alvarado, May 14, 2023

8. Nearby Nevada State Parks

Panel Eight

State Park
Lake Tahoe Nevada State Park offers a variety of areas and activities for visitors to enjoy. Sand harbor, located just 7 miles south of Incline Village on Hwy 28, is one of the most beautiful beaches on the lake. The Spooner Backcountry offers hiking, mountain biking and fishing. Access is located 1/2 mile north of the Hwy 50 junction. Cave Rock is located on the east shore and is a popular boat launch area.

Washoe Lake State Park
Washoe Lake State Park is a popular area for hiking, biking, camping, boating, picnicking, and equestrian activities. Visitors here can also enjoy the beautiful views of the nearby Sierra Nevada, Carson and Virginia Mountain Ranges. Washoe Lake State Park is located 18 miles south of Reno and five miles north of Carson City. Travel on U.S. 395, take the Eastlake Boulevard Exit and park entrances are on the west side of Eastlake Boulevard.

Dayton State Park
Dayton State Park is located 12 miles east of Carson City on U.S. 50. The park borders the Carson River and includes the remains of old Highway 50 and the Rock Mill site. It also looks out over Dayton valley at the foot of the Virginia mountain

Mormon Station State Historic Park Marker Kiosk image. Click for full size.

Photographed by Joseph Alvarado, May 14, 2023

9. Mormon Station State Historic Park Marker Kiosk

range. It is a great place for a family picnic.

Lahontan State Recreation Area
Lahontan Reservoir is located on the Carson River, 18 miles west of Fallon and 45 miles east of Carson City via U.S. 50. It can be accessed from an entrance off U.S. 50 east of Silver Springs, and from an entrance off U.S. 95A, south of Silver Springs via Fir Avenue. The park offers fishing, boating and water skiing, as well as camping, picnicking, and horseback riding trails.

Fort Churchill State Park
Fort Churchill was an active U.S. Army fort built in 1861 to provide protection for early settlers. Nearby is Buckland Station, a Pony Express stop, supply center, and former hotel built in 1870. Facilities at Fort Churchill State Historic Park include a visitor center, trails, a campground, picnic area, group-use area and access to the Carson River. Visitors can enjoy hiking, historic and environmental educa- tion, camping, picnicking, photography and canoeing. The park is located eight miles south of Silver Springs on Alternate U.S. 95, and one mile on Fort Churchill Road.

Erected by Nevada State Parks.

Topics and series. This historical marker

Mormon Station image. Click for full size.

Photographed by Nevada State Parks

10. Mormon Station

The oldest building in Nevada

is listed in these topic lists: Communications • Parks & Recreational Areas • Settlements & Settlers • War, Mexican-American. In addition, it is included in the Pony Express National Historic Trail series list. A significant historical date for this entry is October 31, 1864.

Location. 39° 0.259′ N, 119° 50.739′ W. Marker is in Genoa, Nevada, in Douglas County. It is at the intersection of Main Street and Genoa Lane (Nevada Route 206), on the right when traveling north on Main Street. The eight resin panels are mounted in a kiosk at the park entrance. Touch for map. Marker is at or near this postal address: 2295 Main Street, Genoa NV 89411, United States of America. Touch for directions.

Regionally, this marker is in the Sierra Nevada,

in the Lake Tahoe Basin,

and in Greater Reno Area.

It is also in the American Mountain West.

Globally, it is in North America,

the Western Hemisphere,

the Western World,

and the Anglosphere.

Historically, it finds itself in what was once New Spain

and also Mexico’s Alta California.

Other nearby markers. At least 8 other markers are within walking distance of this marker: Carson Trail - Original

Photographed by Joseph Alvarado, May 14, 2023

11. Mormon Station

Historic State Monument
Est. – 1851
Division of State Parks

Mormon Station (a few steps from this marker); Welcome to Mormon Station State Historic Park (a few steps from this marker); Mormon Station (a few steps from this marker); Mormon Station - Genoa (a few steps from this marker); Genoa (within shouting distance of this marker); About Your Journey… (within shouting distance of this marker); John A. “Snowshoe” Thompson (within shouting distance of this marker); Life-giving Nectar (within shouting distance of this marker). Touch for a list and map of all markers in Genoa.

More about this marker.
Panel One Inset Image:
Oregon Compromise (1846), Mexican Cession (1848), Red River Basin (1818), Claimed Area - Became Part of State of Maine (1842), Louisiana Purchase (1803), Gadsden Purchase (1853), Texas Annexation (1845), States and Territories (1800), Claimed Area - Became Part of State of Louisiana (1812), Florida Cession (1819)
Panel Two Inset Image:
Territory or Nevada 1861; Carson County (Utah Territory); Humboldt County (Utah Territory); Addition To The Territory Of Nevada From Utah Territory, July 14, 1862; Addition To The Territory Of Nevada From Utah Territory, May 5, 1866; Addition

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To The State Of Nevada From Arizona Territory, January 18, 1867
Panel Three Inset Images:
Alexander Majors, Frontiersman – Freighter; William B. Waddell, Cautious penny pincher, Unable to reach a decision without ponderous deliberation; William Hepburn Russell, Mastermind - Reckless gambler, Impulsive; Pony Express Route April 3,1860-October 24, 1861

Related marker. Click here for another marker that is related to this marker. Genoa Pony Express Station

Also see . . .
1. History of Mormon Station State Historic Park. Nevada State Parks

"Mormon Station was built in 1851 as a trading post along the Carson Route of the California Trail. With the discovery of gold in 1848, thousands upon thousands of emigrants starting making their way through present day Nevada along the California Trail."

(Submitted on July 5, 2023, by Joseph Alvarado of Livermore, California.)

2. The Story of the Pony Express. Smithsonian | National Postal Museum

"The Pony Express is one of the most colorful episodes in American history, one which can be used to measure not only the growth of the nation, but the pioneering spirit of our predecessors."

(Submitted on July 5, 2023, by Joseph Alvarado of Livermore, California.)

Credits. This page was last revised on July 5, 2023. It was originally submitted on July 5, 2023, by Joseph Alvarado of Livermore, California. This page has been viewed 509 times since then and 48 times this year. Photos: 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11. submitted on July 5, 2023, by Joseph Alvarado of Livermore, California.