Dayton in Lyon County, Nevada — The American Mountains (Southwest)
Camels in Dayton
Photographed by Andrew Ruppenstein, February 14, 2010
1. Camels in Dayton Marker
Camels were imported into the United States for military purposes in the mid-1850's. Lt. Edward Beale of the U.S. Army tested the animals for caravan operations in the deserts of the Southwest. The experiment was not successful and the camels were auctioned off. Some were brought here to haul wood and salt to the mines and mills of the Comstock. They were corralled behind this stone hay barn, known as the Leslie Hay Barn. Used extensively between Sacramento and Nevada points for some ten years, they were later abandoned to fend for themselves. Few were seen after the 1880's.
Erected by Nevada State Park System and the Dayton Historical Society. (Marker Number 199.)
Topics. This historical marker is listed in this topic list: Animals.
Location. 39° 14.326′ N, 119° 35.476′ W. Marker is in Dayton, Nevada, in Lyon County. It is on Pike Street near 2nd Avenue. Touch for map. Marker is at or near this postal address: 200 Pike Street, Dayton NV 89403, United States of America. Touch for directions.
Regionally, this marker is in the Sierra Nevada and in Greater Reno
this page online
Other nearby markers. At least 8 other markers are within walking distance of this marker: Courthouse Site (within shouting distance of this marker); Dayton's School House - 1865 (about 500 feet away, measured in a direct line); The Misfits (about 600 feet away); Lifeblood of the Mills (about 700 feet away); Odeon Saloon - Billiard Parlour (about 800 feet away); The Road to Nowhere (approx. 0.2 miles away); Where Nevada Began (approx. 0.2 miles away); Carson & Colorado Railroad (approx. 0.2 miles away). Touch for a list and map of all markers in Dayton.
Related markers. Click here for a list of markers that are related to this marker. A series of markers documenting the Great Western Camel Experiment.
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
Photographed by Andrew Ruppenstein, February 14, 2010
2. Camels in Dayton?
The camels may be gone from the hay yard, but their place is now occupied by Alpacas. In the background is the Leslie Hay Barn, which is the same building that the then-resident camels would have recognized as home.
Photographed by Andrew Ruppenstein, February 14, 2010
3. The Leslie Hay Barn (1861), now Camel Barn Antiques
Photographed by Larry Gertner, May 6, 2021
4. Camels in Dayton
Online Nevada's article on the history of camels in Nevada.
(Submitted on February 17, 2010)
Click for more information.
(Submitted on February 17, 2010)
Click for more information.
Credits. This page was last revised on March 9, 2026. It was originally submitted on February 17, 2010, by Andrew Ruppenstein of Lamorinda, California. This page has been viewed 1,965 times since then and 30 times this year. Last updated on March 23, 2011, by Carole Wiseman of Dayton, Nevada. Photos: 1, 2, 3. submitted on February 17, 2010, by Andrew Ruppenstein of Lamorinda, California. 4. submitted on May 15, 2021, by Larry Gertner of New York, New York. • Syd Whittle was the editor who published this page.
