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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 C&C Working Group Head or call 775-246-8316 or email Curator of History or call 775-246-3256.
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 Curator of History
or call 775-246-3256. Your contribution may provide exactly what we need to understand one more piece of Dayton history!
Welcome to Historic Dayton, Nevada!
- 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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Aquaint reflection of our historic past, Old Town Dayton preserves its origins as the first Nevada settlement in spite of the bustling
growth in the Dayton Valley around it.
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In January 1999, a supermarket opened in Dayton Valley and has now become the nucleus of one of several Valley shopping complexes.
Dayton Valley now boasts two medical complexes, two veterinary clinics, numerous eateries, several casinos, gas stations, mechanics, and the other amenities of a modern community. New subdivisions,
five schools, a public library, a senior center, museums, churches, fire departments, an airstrip, industrial facilities, and business areas reflect rapid change.
In the summer of 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 May 2001, Dayton celebrated the 150th anniversary of its settlement -- the oldest permanent settlement in the state of Nevada.
Old Town Dayton's Pike 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.
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The museum is open Saturday from 10 am to 4 pm and Sunday from 1 pm to 4 pm, except in January and February.
(In 2010 the museum will reopen on the weekend of February 20-21.) 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 10 am to 3 pm, as well as the regular weekend hours. For information or appointments, or to volunteer, call 775-246-5543, 775-246-3256 or 775-246-0441, or, email Curator of History
or Secretary.
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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 45 miles from US Interstate 80 25 miles from Lake Tahoe 7 miles from historic Virginia City Part of the Comstock National District, one of the nation's largest Historic Districts Access to the mining and milling sites of the Comstock On US Hwy 50, "the loneliest road in America"
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