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On Genoa Lane at Main Street, on the right when traveling west on Genoa Lane.
Whichever direction your travels take you, you’re going to have a similar experience to what the California-bound immigrants had. You’re going to see the same country, except for the towns and ranch meadows. The big difference, though, is that . . . — — Map (db m98183) HM
Near Foothill Road, on the right when traveling north.
"We passed around a barren portion of the mountain, where there gushed from the base... almost a thousand springs of hot water in half a mile,... The springs form a hot water lake all along their course." - William R. Rothwell, Aug 18, 1850 — — Map (db m99871) HM
Near Main Street, on the right when traveling north.
"At the... foot of the mountains, the Mormons... have established a trading post.... Passing on from this place, as fast as we could,... to save what money we had, we continued up Carson Valley" - Edward Patterson, Jul 11, 1850 — — Map (db m99870) HM
On Foothill Road/Main Street (Nevada Route 206) near Genoa Lane, on the right when traveling south.
Chartered on September 17, 1868 by the newly created Grand Lodge of Nevada, their first Worshiper Master was Robert W. Bollen. In early 1873 they purchased this building in a partially finished condition. It was subsequently completed in November of . . . — — Map (db m20677) HM
On Nevada Route 206 east of Main Street, on the left when traveling east.
In 1864, the fledgling Nevada State Government was comprised of ten counties with twelve school districts, eight school houses, and eighteen schools. This was a time when no one seriously contemplated making Nevada a permanent home as people . . . — — Map (db m115736) HM
Near Main Street south of Kinsey Way, on the right when traveling north.
The structure in front of you is a chicken house, built sometime between 1920 and the 1940s. The building features a nesting room, a brooder room for raising chicks, and a storage room for feed and supplies. Families that lived on this property in . . . — — Map (db m227666) HM
Near Main Street south of Kinsey Way, on the right when traveling north.
By 1900 the town of Gardnerville had replaced Genoa as Carson Valley's commerce center. Hotels, stores, and liveries in Genoa closed, and buildings stood vacant. One Genoa couple saw a shuttered hotel as the key to a better life for their . . . — — Map (db m227670) HM
On Jacks Valley Road/Main Street (Nevada Route 206), on the right when traveling south.
[Front of Marker:]
Genoa
Original Home Station
April 3, 1860 – Aug. 30, 1860
Relay Station
Sep. 1, 1860 – Nov. 20, 1861
By
Town of Genoa
Genoa Volunteer Fire Department
Carson Valley Historical Society . . . — — Map (db m20663) HM
On Nixon Street, on the right when traveling west.
Built by volunteers to replace the church destroyed in the Terrible Fire of 1910, this pioneer refuge served the town for town meetings as well as church services for many years. The bell tower and porch were added in 1978 by volunteers. — — Map (db m21245) HM
On Genoa Lane near Pioneer Drive, on the left when traveling west.
On this tree, early morning Nov. 26, 1897 occurred the blackest episode in the history of Nevada. Adam Uber of Calaveras Co. Cal. was forcefully taken from jail abused and hanged by an angry mob, for the pistol killing of Hans Anderson a local . . . — — Map (db m20655) HM
On Main Street south of Fifth Street, on the right when traveling south.
After a long odyssey from Germany Hans Meyer-Kassel and his wife Maria fell in love with Genoa and settled here in 1945. They became an integral part of this community residing here until their deaths. From the haven of his studio just up the road . . . — — Map (db m234228) HM
On Genoa Lane at Jackson Valley Road/Main Street (Nevada Route 206), on the right when traveling west on Genoa Lane.
Born: April 30, 1827, Tinn, Telemark, Norway
Emigrated to America from Norway: May 30, 1837
Carried the mail: January 1856 – May 1876 (Twice a month -
during the winter for 20 years.)
Distance: 90 miles between Placerville, Ca and . . . — — Map (db m20679) HM
On Jacks Valley Road/Main Street (Nevada Route 206), on the right when traveling south.
Born April 30, 1827 at Upper Tinns, Telemark District of Norway, John A. “Snowshoe” Thompson’s parents Tosten Olsen and Gro Johnsdotter baptized him as John Tostensen. At an early age he learned to “snow skate” (snow ski). In . . . — — Map (db m20712) HM
[Upper Marker:]
As a Tribute
To a great compatriot from Telemark
This plaque was presented
by the Norwegian Olympic Ski Team
Competing at Sqaw Valley
In February 1960
[Lower Marker:]
Dedicated to
John A. . . . — — Map (db m20748) HM
Near Jacks Valley Road/Main Street (Nevada Route 206) near 5th Street.
Served as first elected judge of Douglas County from 1864 – 66. Later on he served as District Attorney and Superintendent of Schools.
While in the practice of law he was considered one of the foremost jurists of his time and was engaged in . . . — — Map (db m20785) HM
Genoa's first two-story brick mansion
built for his bride in 1855-56 by Mormon
Station locator Stephen Kinsey, editor of
the first newspaper (handwritten). It was
the third land claim in Nevada. It was the
site of elegant socials and the Genoa . . . — — Map (db m135908) HM
Near Main Street north of Genoa Lane (Nevada Route 206), on the right when traveling north.
Look up at the mountains in front of you – note the various canyons. How do you think they factored into Mormon Station’s location?
The most prominent ridge to your left is Genoa Canyon. The creek that flowed out of this canyon served as the . . . — — Map (db m229119) HM
On Jacks Valley Road at Nixon Street, on the left when traveling north on Jacks Valley Road.
Marker One:
Originator of the Genoa Candy Dance
Lillian Virgin Finnegan, known affectionately as “Lillie”, was born and raised in Genoa. An early graduate of Nevada State university, she was a teacher, suffragist, business woman, and . . . — — Map (db m223522) HM
Near Jacks Valley Road/Main Street (Nevada Route 206) at Genoa Lane.
In 1851 Col. John Reese, with a little band of eighteen men crossed the great deserts and built the first trading post in Nevada, “Mormon Station”. Later came more members of the Mormon Faith who settled and established the town of Genoa. Among . . . — — Map (db m20686) HM
Near Jacks Valley Road/Main Street (Nevada Route 206) near Genoa Lane.
In early June, 1850, a party of Mormons led by Abner and Thomas Blackburn, Hampton S. Beatie and Joseph Dumont, established a trading post about a mile to the north of this site. In September, as they returned to Salt Lake City, a party of Bannock . . . — — Map (db m20698) HM
On Main Street at Genoa Lane (Nevada Route 206), on the right when traveling north on Main Street.
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 . . . — — Map (db m227650) HM
On U.S. 395 at Genoa Lane, on the right when traveling south on U.S. 395.
Carson Valley is the birthplace of Nevada. By 1851, people settled at a place they called Mormon Station, renamed Genoa in 1856. With the early establishment of a post office and local government, the community can lay claim to the title of . . . — — Map (db m99652) HM
Near Foothill Road/Main Street (Nevada Route 206) near Genoa Lane.
In 1863, Al Livingston built this building and called it Livingston’s Exchange. In 1884, Frank Fettic bought it and renamed it Fettic’s Exchange. He operated it as a “Gentlman's Saloon” allowing no rough stuff or excessive drinking. It . . . — — Map (db m20661) HM
On Genoa Lakes Drive near Jacks Valley Road (Nevada Route 206).
The principle emigrant trail to California’s gold fields in the 1850’s passed about 50 yards east of here. In June, 1850, Hampton S. Beatie and Abner Blackburn, two Mormons from Salt Lake City, established Nevada’s first trading post a few yards . . . — — Map (db m21218) HM
On Main Street south of Genoa Lane, on the right when traveling north.
Built: Spring of 1886 Foundation: Rock
Building Size: 80 x 33 Feet – 16 Foot Ceiling
Flooring: Best Quality Wood Available
Constructed: By the Sons of Joseph Raycraft
Joseph, acting as a wagon master for 300 souls, headed west with . . . — — Map (db m98073) HM
Near Main Street north of Genoa Lane (Nevada Route 206), on the right when traveling north.
Fresh produce was difficult to come by along the California Trail. Emigrants would often pay sky-high prices for fruits and vegetables when they were available. The traders at Mormon Station were eager to take advantage of this demand. . . . — — Map (db m229118) HM
Near Main Street north of Genoa Lane (Nevada Route 206), on the right when traveling north.
Panel One: The Campbell Property
A glimpse into life in Genoa in the early and mid-1900s...
Almost 100 years after John Reese built his log cabin trading post, a man named Bernabe (Ben) Arribalsaga built the house in front . . . — — Map (db m227662) HM
On Foothill Road at Old Kingsbury Road, on the right when traveling south on Foothill Road.
Here stood the first grist mill in Carson Valley built in Mill Canyon Genoa in 1854 by wheelwright Thomas Knott for Colonel John Reese. It was moved to this site by William M. Cary in 1865.
Behind the mill stood a dwelling house, which served . . . — — Map (db m99863) HM
“Brown was a heavy man, about 200lbs, noted as a lawless desperado whose name was terror to all who know, or had heard of him. He made his brags on the day of his death, which was his 30th birthday, that he had killed 11 men, and was going to . . . — — Map (db m115737) HM
On Main Street north of Mill Street, on the right when traveling south.
In 1877, John H Davis had this building constructed as a new location for his existing store nearby. The general store was an integral part of 1800s era towns like Genoa and supplied dried goods, food and other necessities to the growing Nevada . . . — — Map (db m169673) HM
On Main Street at Mill Street, on the left when traveling north on Main Street.
In 1851, George Chorpenning and fellow Pennsylvania entrepreneur Absalom Woodward received a contract for $14,000 from the U.S. Post Office to establish the first U.S. Mail service between Sacramento, CA and Salt Lake City, UT. The monthly trip was . . . — — Map (db m223623) HM
On Jacks Valley Road/Main Street (Nevada Route 206), on the right when traveling south.
These plaques are near the site
of the original Pony Express Station.
The Pony Express passed through
Genoa, the oldest city in Nevada, until
the completion of the telegraph.
Erected by the Nevada Pony
Express Centennial Committee. . . . — — Map (db m20711) HM
On Mill Street west of Main Street, on the right when traveling west.
The Territorial Enterprise, a newspaper founded in Genoa in 1858 was at this location and one other in the town. The press was later moved to Carson City and then Virginia City. The first telegraph office in Nevada was also located on this block. . . . — — Map (db m169650) HM
Near Foothill Road (Nevada Route 206), on the right when traveling north.
Like many Nevada hot springs, these dot a fault break along which the mountains rise. In 1862, along this Carson branch of the Emigrant Trail, David and Harriet Walley developed a $100,000 spa with 11 baths, a ballroom and gardens. The thermal . . . — — Map (db m89511) HM
On Genoa Lane at Main Street, on the right when traveling west on Genoa Lane.
You’re now standing at the western edge of the Great Basin. If you were an emigrant headed to California, you would have entered the Great Basin 450 miles back along the trail in southern Idaho, or 500 miles back in Salt Lake City if you had taken . . . — — Map (db m98142) HM
We Salute John “Snowshoe” Thompson
On his homemade snowshoes John carried the mail and supplies over the snowy Sierras for 20 winters. As he traveled, he saved the lives of seven people who were snowbound in mountain cabins. In . . . — — Map (db m20729) HM
On Main Street north of Genoa Lane (Nevada Route 206), on the right when traveling north.
What is this place?
Mormon Station State Historic Park is the site of a California Trail trading post. The John Reese party established the post in 1851 as a business venture. Travelers passing through often referred to Reese’s post as . . . — — Map (db m229108) HM
Near Main Street north of Genoa Lane (Nevada Route 206), on the right when traveling north.
The trading post at Mormon Station was an important supply stop for gold seekers on their way to California. Heading through Nevada, travelers followed the Humboldt River until it reached its end at the Humboldt Sink. What came next was a brutal 40 . . . — — Map (db m229306) HM
Near Main Street north of Genoa Lane (Nevada Route 206), on the right when traveling north.
This type of wagon is known as a “prairie schooner.” Designed to be as light and agile as possible, prairie schooners were the wagon of choice for emigrants traveling across the California Trail. The name stems from the white canvas covers giving . . . — — Map (db m229304) HM
Near Main Street north of Genoa Lane (Nevada Route 206), on the right when traveling north.
At trading stations and other remote settlements throughout the West, nearly all goods had to be brought in from elsewhere. This need for supplies led to the development of the freight wagon. Freight wagons were built for the sole purpose of hauling . . . — — Map (db m229303) HM
