Historical Society
of Dayton Valley
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CELEBRATION WEEKEND!
Gold Discovery Celebration!
Saturday, July 11, 2 to 4 p.m. (or so...)
Dayton Museum (Shady Lane at Logan)
Join us for a celebration of the 160th anniversary of Gold Discovery in Nevada!
In the Spring of 1849 gold was discovered at the mouth of Gold Cañon, in what today is Dayton.
Everyone is welcome to an old-fashioned celebration at the Dayton Museum. We'll have ice cream, games for the kids, live music, demonstrations, museum tours and other old-fashioned fun. Bring the whole family and join us for a community celebration!
For more information call 775-246-3256 or 775-246-8382 or email Laura.
Celebration of a Living Residence!
Sunday, July 12, 5 to ? p.m.
C&C RR Depot (corner, Main Street & Hwy. 50E)
Soon the project will begin to restore Dayton's Carson & Colorado RR depot to its 1880s appearance. But after the railroad in this area was closed in 1934 this building served as home to individuals and families who added to the rich texture of Dayton's history.
Everyone in the family from in or out of Dayton is invited to join us for a community barbeque and remembrance! Please bring your meat if you want to barbeque, and a dish to share. We'll have grills, shade with tables and chairs, water and soda. We'll have building tours and later will listen to and/or share memories. As the evening goes on we will join in some old-fashioned music, so if you have a guitar or other instrument feel free to bring it.
For more information call 775-246-0505 or email Linda.
July General Meeting
Wed., July 15, 12:30 p.m.
Dayton Valley Branch Library
(321 Old Dayton Valley Road)
C&C RR Depot Working Group
afterward (about 2 p.m.)
Newcomers are always welcome!
Restoration of Dayton's Historic
Carson & Colorado Railroad Depot
This ongoing project will return our historic 1880s depot to its original appearance and make it Dayton's "Gateway to the Comstock."
Our depot is one of only three remaining original 1880s C&C passenger depots and the only one in Nevada. After restoration it will be the only C&C depot returned to original 1880s appearance.
If you want to join our C&C Working Group and/or help with clean-up, restoration, donations, or any other aspects of the project - or just want more information - please attend a meeting (see above), email Linda or call 775-246-0505.
Request for Dayton history
Do you have documents or artifacts that are part of Dayton's history? If your items would welcome a new home we can assure you that we will appreciate, care for, and preserve them. We also understand that you may want to keep your historic items, but you can still help us. If you would scan or photocopy your documents or take a photo of your historic artifact, you can send us the KNOWLEDGE these items preserve. We also want histories---if your family has Dayton roots please send us your stories or contact us to set up an interview. Contact Linda or call 775-246-0505. Your contribution may provide exactly what we need to understand one more piece of Dayton history!
Welcome to Historic Dayton, Nevada!
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- Nestled in a fertile valley east of Carson City, Dayton is an oasis in western Nevada's high-desert country. Dayton is the earliest settlement in the state, originating with prospectors and settlers attracted by gold and by the Carson River that runs through the valley.
- We hope you enjoy this website, made possible by the Historical Society of Dayton Valley. Hopefully, our pages will illuminate why we love the Dayton area and its rich history.
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- click map for detail view
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Old Town Dayton remains quaint, reminiscent of its origins as a Nevada mining town, but the growth of the surrounding area puts a new spin on Dayton's history in the new millennium. In January 1999, a supermarket opened in Dayton Valley and has now become the nucleus of a shopping complex. Dayton Valley now boasts two medical complexes, two veterinary clinics, numerous eateries, several casinos, gas stations, mechanics. and other services, and many other modern amenities. It also will soon have its own hospital. New subdivisions, four schools, a public library, a senior center, museums, churches, fire departments, an airstrip, industrial, and business areas reflect rapid change. |
In 1999, Dayton celebrated the 150th year since the first discovery of gold in Nevada, which occurred at the mouth of Gold Cañon in today's Old Town Dayton. Then, in 2001, Dayton celebrated the 150th anniversary of its permanent settlement -- the oldest settlement in the state of Nevada.
Old Town Dayton's Main Street was once the Overland Trail, which brought many thousands of immigrants westward in the 1840s and 1850s. Today Old Town retains its board sidewalks and homes, shops, and eateries housed in buildings with origins in Dayton's historic past.
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At the historic Dayton Museum in Old Town Dayton on Shady Lane at Logan, young and old gather to review the town's unique history. The Museum was established by volunteers in the early 1980s in an 1865 school house. It contains memorabilia, quilts, and photographs from Dayton's history, including pioneers, prospectors and miners, woodcutters, Native Americans, Chinese, Italians, ranching, railroading, the Sutro Tunnel and early Lyon County history. It is open Saturday from 10 am to 4 pm and Sunday from 1 pm to 4 pm, except in January and February. (In 2009 the museum will reopen on February 28.) It is also open by appointment. In May, to celebrate Nevada Archaelogical Awareness and Historic Preservation month, the museum will also be open Monday through Friday from noon to 4 pm. For information or appointments, or to volunteer, call 775-246-5543, 775-246-3256 or 775-246-0441, or, email Curator of History or Board Member. |
| The Carson River - named for mountain man Kit Carson - flows from the Sierra Nevada Mountains through Dayton and Dayton Valley, across the Lyon County desert, and sinks into the desert at the Carson Sink. The river provides recreation, including canoeing, rafting, fishing, hunting, and wildlife viewing along with swimming and boating at Lahontan Reservoir. |
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Changes of season give Dayton and the surrounding area a new look with each season. Nevertheless, the weather is generally pleasant and moderate year around.
This old compressor is an example of the mining reminders that dot the landscape in the Dayton area.
Around
Dayton
12 miles from the State Capitol - Carson City 40 miles from Reno and Reno/Tahoe Int'l Airport 7 miles from historic Virginia City 25 miles from Lake Tahoe Access to many of the mining sites of the Comstock Lode Located with the Virginia City National Landmark, one of the nation's largest Historic Districts On US Hwy 50 and near US Interstate 80 and Nevada Hwy 95A
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