Reno in Washoe County, Nevada — The American Mountains (Southwest)
Steamboat Springs
Photographed By Alvis Hendley, March 17, 2016
1. Steamboat Springs Marker
These natural hot-springs are notable for their curative qualities. They were nationally acclaimed by President Ulysses S. Grant when he visited them in 1879.
Early emigrants so named them, because of their puffing and blowing. Located in 1860 (by Felix Monet); a hospital, with adjacent bathhouses, was subsequently added by a Doctor Ellis (1861-1862).
The Comstock mining activities and the coming of the Virginia and Truckee Railroad in 1871, caused Steamboat to became a terminal. Here materials for the silver mines were transferred to freight wagons for the steep haul to Virginia City. The completion of the tracks abolished the need for a junction, but its resort popularity was to reach its peak with the Bonanza Days.
To its "fine hotel, commodious dance-hall and elegant bar, came the legendary silver kings, politicos, gamblers and news chroniclers, escorting the lovely ladies of stage and opera house."
With borasca, attendance waned; fires destroyed the luxurious buildings, but the therapeutic waters remained, not only for health seekers, but for conditioning athletes - even producing mineral muds
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Erected by Nevada State Park System and the Nevada Chapter of Daughters of the American Colonists. (Marker Number 198.)
Topics and series. This historical marker is listed in these topic lists: Natural Features • Natural Resources. In addition, it is included in the Daughters of the American Colonists series list. A significant historical year for this entry is 1860.
Location. 39° 22.789′ N, 119° 44.545′ W. Marker is in Reno, Nevada, in Washoe County. Marker is on Alternate U.S. 395, 0.2 miles north of Rhodes Road, on the right when traveling north. Touch for map. Marker is in this post office area: Reno NV 89521, United States of America. Touch for directions.
Other nearby markers. At least 8 other markers are within 7 miles of this marker, measured as the crow flies. Geiger Station (approx. 1.4 miles away); Old Geiger Grade (approx. 4 miles away); Galena (approx. 4.2 miles away); Huffaker's (approx. 4.6 miles away); Washoe City (approx. 4.8 miles away); Lousetown (approx. 5½ miles away); Winters Ranch (approx. 6.4 miles away); a different marker also named The Winters Ranch (approx. 6½ miles away). Touch for a list and map of all markers in Reno.
Regarding Steamboat Springs. The last paragraph of the citation includes the obscure word borasca. I am guessing that it is a variant
Photographed By Alvis Hendley
2. Steamboat Springs Marker
According to the The Coal And Metal Miners' Pocket-Book Of Principles, Rules, Formulæ, And Tables, borrasca was Mexican slang for a mine that has a vein but no ore or a mine that is played out.
Borrasca is the antithesis of bonanza.
Borrasca is also a Spanish word for a squall or a storm, but that usage seems unlikely here.
Credits. This page was last revised on June 16, 2016. It was originally submitted on April 23, 2016, by Alvis Hendley of San Francisco, California. This page has been viewed 323 times since then and 29 times this year. Photos: 1, 2. submitted on April 23, 2016, by Alvis Hendley of San Francisco, California. • Syd Whittle was the editor who published this page.
Editor’s want-list for this marker. Close up view of the springs. • Can you help?
