Near New Washoe City in Washoe County, Nevada — The American Mountains (Southwest)
Bowers Mansion
Built-1864 Restored-1967
Photographed By Alvis Hendley, March 17, 2016
1. Updated Marker for Bowers Mansion
Replacement Marker:
Built - 1864 Restored - 1967 Bowers Mansion recalls the wealth of the Comstock Bonanza. Lemuel S. "Sandy" & Eilley Orrum Bowers were probably the first millionaires produced by the famous find in Gold Canyon. As strangers, they had adjoining claims. After a rich vein was struck, they were soon married and had the mansion built.
Misfortune followed fortune and soon all was lost. The richness of their vein gave out, a new mill was destroyed, financiers balked, and then Sandy died in 1868. Maneuvering to make the property self sustaining, Eilley struggled on. Finally, in 1878, she lost the mansion by foreclosure to Myron C. Lake.
After that, the property had a succession of owners including Henry Ritter, who managed it as a popular resort from 1903 to 1946. Eilley Orrum Bowers died in poverty and unwittingly, she and Sandy left a legacy to Nevada.
Original Marker
Bowers Mansion is another reminder of the Comstock Bonanza. Lemuel S. "Sandy" & Eilley Orrum Bowers were probably the first millionaires produced by the fabulous find in Gold Canyon.
As strangers, they had adjoining claims. After a rich vein was struck, they were soon married and had the mansion built.
Misfortune followed fortune and soon all was lost. The richness of their vein gave
this page online
Maneuvering to make the property self-sustaining, Eilley struggled on. Finally, in 1878, losing the mansion by foreclosure to Myron C. Lake.
Thereupon, the property had a succession of owners including Henry Ritter, who managed it as a popular resort from 1903 to 1946. Eilley Orrum Bowers had died in 1903 in poverty and unwittingly, she and Sandy left a legacy to Nevada.
Erected by Nevada State Park System. Bowers Mansion Restoration Committee. (Marker Number 166.)
Topics. This historical marker is listed in these topic lists: Industry & Commerce • Notable Buildings • Settlements & Settlers. A significant historical year for this entry is 1864.
Location. 39° 17.082′ N, 119° 50.434′ W. Marker is near New Washoe City, Nevada, in Washoe County. Marker can be reached from Bowers Mansion Road (U.S. 395). Touch for map. Marker is at or near this postal address: 4005 Bowers Mansion Road, Washoe Valley NV 89704, United States of America. Touch for directions.
Other nearby markers. At least 8 other markers are within 2 miles of this marker, measured as the crow flies. A different marker also named Bowers Mansion (within shouting distance of this marker); History in the Making (within shouting distance of this marker); a different marker also named Bowers Mansion (within shouting distance of this marker);
Photographed By Alvis Hendley, March 17, 2016
2. New Marker for Bowers Mansion
Photographed By Trev Meed, November 4, 2009
3. Original Bowers Mansion Marker
Photographed By Trev Meed, November 4, 2009
4. Bowers Mansion
Photographed By Trev Meed, November 4, 2009
5. A view from the forest above the mansion.
Photographed By Trev Meed, November 4, 2009
6. Bowers Mansion Entrance Marker
Photographed By Trev Meed, November 4, 2009
7. Bowers Burial Site In the Woods Above The Mansion.
Photographed By Trev Meed, November 4, 2009
8. Lemuel Bowers Gravestone.
Credits. This page was last revised on October 28, 2020. It was originally submitted on October 8, 2015, by Trev Meed of Round Mountain, Nevada. This page has been viewed 358 times since then and 19 times this year. Photos: 1, 2. submitted on April 16, 2016, by Alvis Hendley of San Francisco, California. 3. submitted on October 8, 2015, by Trev Meed of Round Mountain, Nevada. 4, 5. submitted on October 9, 2015, by Trev Meed of Round Mountain, Nevada. 6, 7, 8. submitted on October 10, 2015, by Trev Meed of Round Mountain, Nevada. • Syd Whittle was the editor who published this page.
