Carson City, Nevada
Encyclopedia
The Consolidated Municipality of Carson City is the capital
of the state of Nevada
. The words Consolidated Municipality refer to a series of changes in 1969 which abolished Ormsby County
and merged all the settlements contained within its borders into Carson City. Since that time Carson City has been an independent city
. The population was 55,274 at the 2010 census
.
The first European Americans to arrive in what is known as Eagle Valley were John C. Fremont
and his exploration party in January 1843. Fremont named the river flowing through the valley Carson River
in honor of Christopher "Kit" Carson
, the mountain man
and scout he had hired for his expedition. Prior to the Fremont expedition, the Washoe people
inhabited the valley and surrounding areas. Settlers named the area Washoe in reference to the tribe.
By 1851 the Eagle Station ranch located along the Carson River
served as a trading post and stopover for travelers on the California Trail
's Carson Branch which ran through Eagle Valley
. The valley and trading post received their name from a bald eagle
that was hunted and killed by one of the early settlers and was featured on a wall inside the post.
As the area was part of the Utah Territory, it was governed from Salt Lake City, where the territorial government was headquartered. Early settlers bristled at the control exterted by Mormon-influenced officials and desired the creation of the Nevada territory. A vigilante group of influential settlers, headed by Abraham Curry, sought a site for a capital city for the envisioned territory. In 1858, Abraham Curry
bought Eagle Station and thereafter renamed the settlement Carson City. As Curry and several other partners had Eagle Valley surveyed for development. Curry had decided for himself that Carson City would someday serve as the capital city and left a 10 acres (40,468.6 m²) plot open in the center of town for a future capitol building.
Following the discovery of gold and silver in 1859 on the nearby Comstock Lode
, Carson City's population began to rise. Curry built the Warm Springs Hotel a mile to the east of the center of town. As predicted, Carson City was selected as the territorial capital, besting Virginia City
and American Flat. Curry loaned the Warm Springs Hotel to the territorial Legislature as a meeting hall. The Legislature named Carson City to be the seat of Ormsby County
and selected the hotel as the territorial prison with Curry serving as its first warden. Today the property still serves as part of the state prison.
When Nevada became a state in 1864 during the Civil War
, Carson City was confirmed as Nevada's permanent capital. Carson City's development was no longer dependent on the mining industry and instead became a thriving commercial center. The Virginia & Truckee Railroad was built between Virginia City and Carson City. A wooden flume
was also built from the Sierra Nevadas into Carson City. The current capitol building was constructed from 1870–71. The United States Mint
operated a branch mint
in Carson City between the years 1870 and 1893, which struck gold and silver coins. People came from China during that time, many of them to work on the railroad. Some of them owned businesses and taught school. By 1880, almost a thousand Chinese people, "one for every five Caucasians," lived in Carson City.
Carson City's population and transportation traffic decreased when the Southern Pacific Railroad
built a line through Donner Pass
, too far to the north to benefit Carson City. The city was slightly revitalized with the mining booms in Tonopah
and Goldfield
. The US federal building (now renamed the Paul Laxalt
Building) was completed in 1890 as was the Stewart Indian School
. Carson City resigned itself to small city status, advertising itself as "America's smallest capital."
status. With this consolidation, Carson City absorbed former town sites such as Empire City, which had grown up in the 1860s as a milling center along the Carson River and current US 50. Carson City could now advertise itself as one of America's largest state capitals with its 146 square miles (378.1 km²) of city limits.
In 1991, the city adopted a downtown master plan, specifying that no building within 500 feet (152 m) of the capitol would surpass it in height. This plan prohibited future high-rise development in the center of downtown. The Ormsby House
is currently the tallest building in downtown Carson City, at a height of 117 feet. The structure was completed in 1972.
As of the 2010 census there are 55,274 people, 20,171 households, and 13,252 families residing in the city. The population density is 366 people per square mile (141/km²). There are 21,283 housing units at an average density of 148/sq mi (57/km²). The racial makeup of the city is 81.1% White
, 1.9% Black
or African American
, 2.4% Native American
, 2.1% Asian
, 0.2% Pacific Islander
, 9.4% from other races
, and 2.9% from two or more races. 21% of the population are Hispanic
or Latino
of any race.
As of the 2000 census, there are 20,171 households, out of which 29.8% have children under the age of 18 living with them, 50.0% are married couples living together, 11.0% have a female householder with no husband present, and 34.3% are non-families. 27.8% of all households are made up of individuals and 11.00% have someone living alone who is 65 years of age or older. The average household size is 2.44 and the average family size is 2.97. The city's age distribution is: 23.4% under the age of 18, 7.9% from 18 to 24, 28.9% from 25 to 44, 24.9% from 45 to 64, and 14.9% who are 65 years of age or older. The median age is 39 years. For every 100 females there are 106.90 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there are 108.20 males.
Data from the 2000 census indicates that the median income for a household in the city is $41,809, and the median income for a family is $49,570. Males have a median income of $35,296 versus $27,418 for females. The per capita income
for the city is $20,943. 10.0% of the population and 6.9% of families are below the poverty line. Out of the total population, 13.7% of those under the age of 18 and 5.8% of those 65 and older are living below the poverty line.
became the first Democrat since 1964 to win Carson City, defeating John McCain
49% to 48%, by 204 votes, a margin of under 1%.
Bsk) with cool but not inordinately cold winters and hot summers. The city is situated in a high desert river valley approximately 4730 feet (1,441.7 m) above sea level. There are four fairly distinct seasons, all of which are relatively mild compared to many parts of the country and to what one may expect given its elevation. Winters see typically light to moderate snowfall, with a median of 8.9 inches (23 cm). Most precipitation occurs in winter and spring, with summer and fall being fairly dry, drier than neighboring California. Mid-summer highs typically top out in the 90s, doing so 36 times per year, but temperatures of 100 °F (37.8 °C) and above do occur on occasion.
The Carson River flows from Douglas County through the southwestern edge of Carson City.
and the alternative Pioneer High School serve high school students. Carson High is on Saliman Road.
Western Nevada College
(WNC) is a regionally accredited, two year and four year institution which is part of the Nevada System of Higher Education
. It has an education program. The school also offers associate of arts, associate of science.
While there are no ski slopes within Carson City, the city is located close to Heavenly Mountain Resort, Diamond Peak and Mount Rose skiing areas.
The following is a list of films with scenes set in Carson City but filmed elsewhere
has resided in the Governor's Mansion
located in Carson City. See also: List of Governors of Nevada. The following personalities took up a residence in Carson City at some point in their lives.
There are two highways in the city US Route 395 and US Route 50. Carson City is home to one under-construction freeway Interstate 580
. Phase 1 of the Carson City Freeway Project from US 395, just north of the city, to US 50 was completed in February 2006 and Phase 2A, extending from Rt. 50 to Fairview Drive, was officially opened on September 24, 2009. Phase 2B, Fairview Drive to Rt. 50, awaits funding.
Carson City's first modern bus system, Jump Around Carson, or JAC, opened to the public. JAC uses a smaller urban bus that is ideal for Carson City. However, there is virtually no ground public transportation to other destinations. Passenger trains haven't served Carson City since 1948, Greyhound Lines
stopped their bus services to the town in 2006 and Amtrak
discontinued their connecting thruway bus to Sacramento
in 2008. There is now only a limited Monday – Friday RTC bus service to Reno
which is still served by both Greyhound
and Amtrak
.
Carson City is also served by the Carson Airport
, which is a regional airport in the northern part of the city. Reno-Tahoe International Airport, which is 28 miles (45.1 km) away, handles domestic commercial flights.
Capital City
Capital City was a television show produced by Euston Films which focused on the lives of investment bankers in London living and working on the corporate trading floor for the fictional international bank Shane-Longman....
of the state of Nevada
Nevada
Nevada is a state in the western, mountain west, and southwestern regions of the United States. With an area of and a population of about 2.7 million, it is the 7th-largest and 35th-most populous state. Over two-thirds of Nevada's people live in the Las Vegas metropolitan area, which contains its...
. The words Consolidated Municipality refer to a series of changes in 1969 which abolished Ormsby County
Ormsby County, Nevada
Ormsby County was a county of Nevada from 1861 until 1969. It contained Carson City, the county seat and later state capital, founded two years earlier. It was named after Major William M...
and merged all the settlements contained within its borders into Carson City. Since that time Carson City has been an independent city
Independent city
An independent city is a city that does not form part of another general-purpose local government entity. These type of cities should not be confused with city-states , which are fully sovereign cities that are not part of any other sovereign state.-Historical precursors:In the Holy Roman Empire,...
. The population was 55,274 at the 2010 census
United States Census, 2010
The Twenty-third United States Census, known as Census 2010 or the 2010 Census, is the current national census of the United States. National Census Day was April 1, 2010 and is the reference date used in enumerating individuals...
.
History
John C. Frémont
John Charles Frémont , was an American military officer, explorer, and the first candidate of the anti-slavery Republican Party for the office of President of the United States. During the 1840s, that era's penny press accorded Frémont the sobriquet The Pathfinder...
and his exploration party in January 1843. Fremont named the river flowing through the valley Carson River
Carson River
The Carson River is a northwestern Nevada river that empties into the Carson Sink, an endorheic basin. The main stem of the river is long....
in honor of Christopher "Kit" Carson
Kit Carson
Christopher Houston "Kit" Carson was an American frontiersman and Indian fighter. Carson left home in rural present-day Missouri at age 16 and became a Mountain man and trapper in the West. Carson explored the west to California, and north through the Rocky Mountains. He lived among and married...
, the mountain man
Mountain man
Mountain men were trappers and explorers who roamed the North American Rocky Mountains from about 1810 through the 1880s where they were instrumental in opening up the various Emigrant Trails allowing Americans in the east to settle the new territories of the far west by organized wagon trains...
and scout he had hired for his expedition. Prior to the Fremont expedition, the Washoe people
Washoe people
The Washoe are a Great Basin tribe of Native Americans, living in California and Nevada. The name "Washoe" is derived from the autonym waashiw meaning "people from here" in the Washo language .-Territory:Washoe people have lived in the Great Basin for at least the last 6000 years...
inhabited the valley and surrounding areas. Settlers named the area Washoe in reference to the tribe.
By 1851 the Eagle Station ranch located along the Carson River
Carson River
The Carson River is a northwestern Nevada river that empties into the Carson Sink, an endorheic basin. The main stem of the river is long....
served as a trading post and stopover for travelers on the California Trail
California Trail
The California Trail was an emigrant trail of about across the western half of the North American continent from Missouri River towns to what is now the state of California...
's Carson Branch which ran through Eagle Valley
Eagle Valley (Nevada)
Eagle Valley is the area encompassing Carson City, Nevada. The valley was first settled during the California Gold Rush of 1848. The discovery of Nevada's Comstock Lode in 1859 established the economic importance of the area, which would become the site of the Nevada State Capitol.-History:The area...
. The valley and trading post received their name from a bald eagle
Bald Eagle
The Bald Eagle is a bird of prey found in North America. It is the national bird and symbol of the United States of America. This sea eagle has two known sub-species and forms a species pair with the White-tailed Eagle...
that was hunted and killed by one of the early settlers and was featured on a wall inside the post.
As the area was part of the Utah Territory, it was governed from Salt Lake City, where the territorial government was headquartered. Early settlers bristled at the control exterted by Mormon-influenced officials and desired the creation of the Nevada territory. A vigilante group of influential settlers, headed by Abraham Curry, sought a site for a capital city for the envisioned territory. In 1858, Abraham Curry
Abraham Curry
Abraham Van Santvoord Curry is considered the founding father of Carson City, Nevada. A native of the state of New York, he traveled to the West Coast during the California Gold Rush and settled in Nevada's Eagle Valley, where Carson City was established.Curry served as an assemblyman of the...
bought Eagle Station and thereafter renamed the settlement Carson City. As Curry and several other partners had Eagle Valley surveyed for development. Curry had decided for himself that Carson City would someday serve as the capital city and left a 10 acres (40,468.6 m²) plot open in the center of town for a future capitol building.
Following the discovery of gold and silver in 1859 on the nearby Comstock Lode
Comstock Lode
The Comstock Lode was the first major U.S. discovery of silver ore, located under what is now Virginia City, Nevada, on the eastern slope of Mount Davidson, a peak in the Virginia Range. After the discovery was made public in 1859, prospectors rushed to the area and scrambled to stake their claims...
, Carson City's population began to rise. Curry built the Warm Springs Hotel a mile to the east of the center of town. As predicted, Carson City was selected as the territorial capital, besting Virginia City
Virginia City, Nevada
Virginia City is a census-designated place that is the county seat of Storey County, Nevada. It is part of the Reno–Sparks Metropolitan Statistical Area. The population was 855 at the 2010 Census.- History :...
and American Flat. Curry loaned the Warm Springs Hotel to the territorial Legislature as a meeting hall. The Legislature named Carson City to be the seat of Ormsby County
Ormsby County, Nevada
Ormsby County was a county of Nevada from 1861 until 1969. It contained Carson City, the county seat and later state capital, founded two years earlier. It was named after Major William M...
and selected the hotel as the territorial prison with Curry serving as its first warden. Today the property still serves as part of the state prison.
When Nevada became a state in 1864 during the Civil War
American Civil War
The American Civil War was a civil war fought in the United States of America. In response to the election of Abraham Lincoln as President of the United States, 11 southern slave states declared their secession from the United States and formed the Confederate States of America ; the other 25...
, Carson City was confirmed as Nevada's permanent capital. Carson City's development was no longer dependent on the mining industry and instead became a thriving commercial center. The Virginia & Truckee Railroad was built between Virginia City and Carson City. A wooden flume
Log flume
A log flume is a flume specifically constructed to transport lumber and logs down mountainous terrain to a sawmill by using flowing water. These watertight trough-like channels could be built to span a long distance across chasms and down steep mountain slopes...
was also built from the Sierra Nevadas into Carson City. The current capitol building was constructed from 1870–71. The United States Mint
United States Mint
The United States Mint primarily produces circulating coinage for the United States to conduct its trade and commerce. The Mint was created by Congress with the Coinage Act of 1792, and placed within the Department of State...
operated a branch mint
Carson City Mint
The Carson City Mint was a branch of the United States Mint in Carson City, Nevada. Built at the peak of the silver boom, 50 issues of silver coins and 57 issues of gold coins minted here between 1870 and 1893 bore the "CC" mint mark...
in Carson City between the years 1870 and 1893, which struck gold and silver coins. People came from China during that time, many of them to work on the railroad. Some of them owned businesses and taught school. By 1880, almost a thousand Chinese people, "one for every five Caucasians," lived in Carson City.
Carson City's population and transportation traffic decreased when the Southern Pacific Railroad
Southern Pacific Railroad
The Southern Pacific Transportation Company , earlier Southern Pacific Railroad and Southern Pacific Company, and usually simply called the Southern Pacific or Espee, was an American railroad....
built a line through Donner Pass
Donner Pass
Donner Pass is a mountain pass in the northern Sierra Nevada, located above Donner Lake about nine miles west of Truckee, California. It has a steep approach from the east and a gradual approach from the west....
, too far to the north to benefit Carson City. The city was slightly revitalized with the mining booms in Tonopah
Tonopah, Nevada
Tonopah is a census-designated place located in and the county seat of Nye County, Nevada. It is located at the junction of U.S. Routes 6 and 95 approximately mid-way between Las Vegas and Reno....
and Goldfield
Goldfield, Nevada
Goldfield is an unincorporated community and the county seat of Esmeralda County, Nevada, United States, with a resident population of 440 at the 2000 census. It is located about southeast of Carson City, along U.S...
. The US federal building (now renamed the Paul Laxalt
Paul Laxalt
Paul Dominique Laxalt of Nevada was a former Republican District Attorney, Lieutenant Governor, Governor and U.S. Senator. In the media, the words "son of a Basque sheepherder" often accompanied his name. He was one of Ronald Reagan's closest friends in politics...
Building) was completed in 1890 as was the Stewart Indian School
Stewart Indian School
The Steward Indian School was an Indian school southeast of Carson City, NV. The school was named for Nevada's first senator, William M. Stewart and opened on December 17, 1890. The school opened with 37 students from Washoe, Paiute and Shoshone tribes and was staffed by 3 teachers...
. Carson City resigned itself to small city status, advertising itself as "America's smallest capital."
20th-century revitalization and growth
The city slowly grew; by 1960 it had reached its 1880, boom-time population. Portions of Ormsby County had been given over to neighboring counties and by this time the county was not much larger than the city itself. In 1969, Ormsby County was officially dissolved and Carson City took over all municipal services with an independent cityIndependent city
An independent city is a city that does not form part of another general-purpose local government entity. These type of cities should not be confused with city-states , which are fully sovereign cities that are not part of any other sovereign state.-Historical precursors:In the Holy Roman Empire,...
status. With this consolidation, Carson City absorbed former town sites such as Empire City, which had grown up in the 1860s as a milling center along the Carson River and current US 50. Carson City could now advertise itself as one of America's largest state capitals with its 146 square miles (378.1 km²) of city limits.
In 1991, the city adopted a downtown master plan, specifying that no building within 500 feet (152 m) of the capitol would surpass it in height. This plan prohibited future high-rise development in the center of downtown. The Ormsby House
Ormsby House
The Ormsby House is a hotel/casino in Carson City, Nevada. Originally opened in 1971, it closed in 2000 for extensive renovations. It was planned to reopen on July 4, 2001, but the opening date has been pushed back many times due to construction delays, and management changes...
is currently the tallest building in downtown Carson City, at a height of 117 feet. The structure was completed in 1972.
Demographics
Carson City is the smallest of the United States' 363 Metropolitan Statistical Areas.As of the 2010 census there are 55,274 people, 20,171 households, and 13,252 families residing in the city. The population density is 366 people per square mile (141/km²). There are 21,283 housing units at an average density of 148/sq mi (57/km²). The racial makeup of the city is 81.1% White
Race (United States Census)
Race and ethnicity in the United States Census, as defined by the Federal Office of Management and Budget and the United States Census Bureau, are self-identification data items in which residents choose the race or races with which they most closely identify, and indicate whether or not they are...
, 1.9% Black
Race (United States Census)
Race and ethnicity in the United States Census, as defined by the Federal Office of Management and Budget and the United States Census Bureau, are self-identification data items in which residents choose the race or races with which they most closely identify, and indicate whether or not they are...
or African American
Race (United States Census)
Race and ethnicity in the United States Census, as defined by the Federal Office of Management and Budget and the United States Census Bureau, are self-identification data items in which residents choose the race or races with which they most closely identify, and indicate whether or not they are...
, 2.4% Native American
Indigenous peoples of the Americas
The indigenous peoples of the Americas are the pre-Columbian inhabitants of North and South America, their descendants and other ethnic groups who are identified with those peoples. Indigenous peoples are known in Canada as Aboriginal peoples, and in the United States as Native Americans...
, 2.1% Asian
Race (United States Census)
Race and ethnicity in the United States Census, as defined by the Federal Office of Management and Budget and the United States Census Bureau, are self-identification data items in which residents choose the race or races with which they most closely identify, and indicate whether or not they are...
, 0.2% Pacific Islander
Race (United States Census)
Race and ethnicity in the United States Census, as defined by the Federal Office of Management and Budget and the United States Census Bureau, are self-identification data items in which residents choose the race or races with which they most closely identify, and indicate whether or not they are...
, 9.4% from other races
Race (United States Census)
Race and ethnicity in the United States Census, as defined by the Federal Office of Management and Budget and the United States Census Bureau, are self-identification data items in which residents choose the race or races with which they most closely identify, and indicate whether or not they are...
, and 2.9% from two or more races. 21% of the population are Hispanic
Race (United States Census)
Race and ethnicity in the United States Census, as defined by the Federal Office of Management and Budget and the United States Census Bureau, are self-identification data items in which residents choose the race or races with which they most closely identify, and indicate whether or not they are...
or Latino
Race (United States Census)
Race and ethnicity in the United States Census, as defined by the Federal Office of Management and Budget and the United States Census Bureau, are self-identification data items in which residents choose the race or races with which they most closely identify, and indicate whether or not they are...
of any race.
As of the 2000 census, there are 20,171 households, out of which 29.8% have children under the age of 18 living with them, 50.0% are married couples living together, 11.0% have a female householder with no husband present, and 34.3% are non-families. 27.8% of all households are made up of individuals and 11.00% have someone living alone who is 65 years of age or older. The average household size is 2.44 and the average family size is 2.97. The city's age distribution is: 23.4% under the age of 18, 7.9% from 18 to 24, 28.9% from 25 to 44, 24.9% from 45 to 64, and 14.9% who are 65 years of age or older. The median age is 39 years. For every 100 females there are 106.90 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there are 108.20 males.
Data from the 2000 census indicates that the median income for a household in the city is $41,809, and the median income for a family is $49,570. Males have a median income of $35,296 versus $27,418 for females. The per capita income
Per capita income
Per capita income or income per person is a measure of mean income within an economic aggregate, such as a country or city. It is calculated by taking a measure of all sources of income in the aggregate and dividing it by the total population...
for the city is $20,943. 10.0% of the population and 6.9% of families are below the poverty line. Out of the total population, 13.7% of those under the age of 18 and 5.8% of those 65 and older are living below the poverty line.
Economy
The following is a list of the top employers in Carson City:- State of NevadaNevadaNevada is a state in the western, mountain west, and southwestern regions of the United States. With an area of and a population of about 2.7 million, it is the 7th-largest and 35th-most populous state. Over two-thirds of Nevada's people live in the Las Vegas metropolitan area, which contains its...
- Department of TransportationNevada Department of TransportationThe Nevada Department of Transportation is a government agency in the U.S. state of Nevada. NDOT is responsible for maintaining and improving Nevada's highway system, which includes U.S. highways and Interstate highways within the state's boundaries. The department is notable for its...
- Department of CorrectionsNevada Department of CorrectionsThe Nevada Department of Corrections is a governmental agency in the U.S. state of Nevada. The NDOC headquarters is located in Building 17 in the Stewart Facility in Carson City.-History:...
- Department of Motor Vehicles
- Department of Defense
- Department of Transportation
- Carson City School District
- Carson-Tahoe Hospital
- Carson City
- Western Nevada CollegeWestern Nevada CollegeWestern Nevada College is a public college serving northwest Nevada. It is accredited by the Northwest Association of Schools and of Colleges and Universities. The main branch of the college is located in Carson City, Nevada with other campuses in the cities of Fallon and Minden...
- Chromalloy Nevada
- Wal-Mart
- Casino FandangoCasino FandangoCasino Fandango is a casino located in Carson City, Nevada. It opened in July 2003 and has of gaming space . In 2010, the Casino Fandango won the award for the Premier Entertainment Destination in Carson City by the Nevada Appeal Readers' Choice awards. The complex owned by the Casino Fandango...
- Legislative Counsel Bureau
- Carson NuggetCarson NuggetCarson Nugget is a casino located in Carson City, Nevada. It opened in 1957 and contains of gaming space. The Carson Nugget has four resturaunts and a hotel located across North Carson Street, which has undergone renovations in late 2010 and early 2011. The casino also includes Carson City's only...
- Click Bond, Inc.
- Gold Dust West
Government and politics
Carson City is governed via the mayor-council system. The mayor is elected in a citywide vote to a four year term. The city council is called the Board of Supervisors and has four members. Members are elected from single member wards. Nevada's capital is generally considered a Republican stronghold, often voting for Republicans by wide margins. In 2004, George Bush defeated John Kerry 57-40%. In 2008 however Barack ObamaBarack Obama
Barack Hussein Obama II is the 44th and current President of the United States. He is the first African American to hold the office. Obama previously served as a United States Senator from Illinois, from January 2005 until he resigned following his victory in the 2008 presidential election.Born in...
became the first Democrat since 1964 to win Carson City, defeating John McCain
John McCain
John Sidney McCain III is the senior United States Senator from Arizona. He was the Republican nominee for president in the 2008 United States election....
49% to 48%, by 204 votes, a margin of under 1%.
Climate
Carson City features a semiarid climate (KöppenKöppen climate classification
The Köppen climate classification is one of the most widely used climate classification systems. It was first published by Crimea German climatologist Wladimir Köppen in 1884, with several later modifications by Köppen himself, notably in 1918 and 1936...
Bsk) with cool but not inordinately cold winters and hot summers. The city is situated in a high desert river valley approximately 4730 feet (1,441.7 m) above sea level. There are four fairly distinct seasons, all of which are relatively mild compared to many parts of the country and to what one may expect given its elevation. Winters see typically light to moderate snowfall, with a median of 8.9 inches (23 cm). Most precipitation occurs in winter and spring, with summer and fall being fairly dry, drier than neighboring California. Mid-summer highs typically top out in the 90s, doing so 36 times per year, but temperatures of 100 °F (37.8 °C) and above do occur on occasion.
The Carson River flows from Douglas County through the southwestern edge of Carson City.
Education
The Carson City School District operates ten schools in Carson City. The six elementary schools are Bordewich-Bray Elementary School, Empire Elementary School, Fremont Elementary School, Fritsch Elementary School, Mark Twain Elementary School, and Al Seeliger Elementary School. The two middle schools are Carson Middle School and Eagle Valley Middle School. Carson High SchoolCarson High School (Carson City, Nevada)
Carson High School is a high school in Carson City, Nevada, United States.- Staff :As of July 23, 2011, the principal of Carson High School is Ron Beck...
and the alternative Pioneer High School serve high school students. Carson High is on Saliman Road.
Western Nevada College
Western Nevada College
Western Nevada College is a public college serving northwest Nevada. It is accredited by the Northwest Association of Schools and of Colleges and Universities. The main branch of the college is located in Carson City, Nevada with other campuses in the cities of Fallon and Minden...
(WNC) is a regionally accredited, two year and four year institution which is part of the Nevada System of Higher Education
Nevada System of Higher Education
The Nevada System of Higher Education was formed in 1968 to oversee all state-supported higher education in the U.S. state of Nevada. The name was changed in 2004. Two doctoral-granting research universities, one state college, four community colleges and one research institute comprise the...
. It has an education program. The school also offers associate of arts, associate of science.
Sports and recreation
Carson City has never hosted any professional team sports. However, a variety of sports are offered a parks and recreation. Many neighborhood parks offers a wide variety of features, including picnic tables, beaches, restrooms, fishing, softball, basketball, pond, tennis, and volleyball. The largest park is Mills Park, which has a total of 51 acre (0.20638986 km²) of land.While there are no ski slopes within Carson City, the city is located close to Heavenly Mountain Resort, Diamond Peak and Mount Rose skiing areas.
Points of interest
Museums
- Nevada State CapitolNevada State CapitolThe Nevada State Capitol is the capitol building of the U.S. state of Nevada. It is located in the state capital of Carson City at 101 North Carson Street. The building was constructed in the Neoclassical Italianate style between 1869 and 1871. It is listed in the National Register of Historic...
– original capitol still housing the governor's offices with museum exhibits - Nevada State MuseumNevada State Museum, Carson CityThe Nevada State Museum in Carson City is one of 6 Nevada State Museums operated by the Nevada Department of Cultural Affairs. The primary building of the Museum is the former Carson City Mint...
– former state mint featuring rock, mining and prehistoric exhibits, and a recreated Wild West village - Nevada State Railroad MuseumNevada State Railroad MuseumNevada Southern Railway is a railroad museum in Boulder City, Nevada operated by the Nevada State Railroad Museum which is an agency of the Nevada Department of Cultural Affairs....
– featuring the InyoVirginia and Truckee RR. Engines No. 18, The Dayton; and No. 22, The InyoThe Virginia and Truckee Railroad Engines No. 18, The Dayton; and No. 22, The Inyo are two historic standard gauge steam locomotives. The Inyo is on display at the Nevada State Railroad Museum and the Dayton is on display in Virginia City, Nevada...
locomotive and relocated Wabuska Railroad Station - Stewart Indian SchoolStewart Indian SchoolThe Steward Indian School was an Indian school southeast of Carson City, NV. The school was named for Nevada's first senator, William M. Stewart and opened on December 17, 1890. The school opened with 37 students from Washoe, Paiute and Shoshone tribes and was staffed by 3 teachers...
– museum collection includes items from former faculty, students and school - Foreman-Roberts House Museum – Gothic Revival architecture, tours available.
- Sears-Ferris House (not open to public) - home of George FerrisGeorge Washington Gale Ferris, Jr.George Washington Gale Ferris, Jr. was an American engineer. He is most famous for creating the original Ferris Wheel for the 1893 Chicago World's Columbian Exposition.-Early life:...
, inventor of the Ferris wheelFerris wheelA Ferris wheel is a nonbuilding structure consisting of a rotating upright wheel with passenger cars attached to the rim in such a way that as the wheel turns, the cars are kept upright, usually by gravity.Some of the largest and most modern Ferris wheels have cars mounted on...
Open land
- Silver Saddle Ranch
- Mexican Dam – 1860's stone dam across the Carson River
- Prison Hill – California TrailCalifornia TrailThe California Trail was an emigrant trail of about across the western half of the North American continent from Missouri River towns to what is now the state of California...
historic markers, location of the Stewart "S" - Carson Aquatic Trail
- Humboldt-Toiyabe National ForestHumboldt-Toiyabe National ForestThe Humboldt-Toiyabe National Forest is the principal U.S. National Forest located in the U.S. state of Nevada. With an area of , it is the largest National Forest of the United States outside of Alaska...
(Carson Ranger DistrictCarson Ranger DistrictCarson Ranger District is with approximately half in Nevada and half in California. It is part of the Humboldt-Toiyabe National Forest.-Location:The Carson Ranger District begins just east of Lake Tahoe and stretches over the Nevada line into California....
)- Kings Canyon Falls
- Snow Valley PeakSnow Valley PeakSnow Valley Peak is a mountain located in the Carson Range of the Sierra Nevada. The mountain lies within the city limits of Carson City, NV. At 9,214 feet in elevation it is also the city's highest point. From the peak Carson City, Lake Tahoe, Reno and Carson Valley are all clearly visible. The...
– 9214 ft (2,808.4 m) – highest point within Carson City
- Tahoe Rim TrailTahoe Rim TrailThe Tahoe Rim Trail is a 165-mile long-distance hiking trail which forms a loop around Lake Tahoe in the Sierra Nevada and Carson ranges of California and Nevada in the United States. The trail ranges in elevation from 6,240 feet at the outlet of Lake Tahoe to 10,338 feet at Relay Peak in Nevada...
- Lake Tahoe – Nevada State Park – three beaches lie within or near the city limits
- Chimney Beach
- Secret Harbor
- Skunk Harbor
- Washoe Lake State ParkWashoe Lake State ParkWashoe Lake State Park is a state park of Nevada, USA, on Washoe Lake. It is between the cities of Carson City and Reno near U.S. Route 395 and just east of Lake Tahoe. It is in the Western Nevada Region of Nevada State Parks. The park is open for year-round recreation including, hunting, fishing,...
– borders city to the north - "C Hill" – hill featuring the Carson City "C" and giant American Flag
Films
The following is a list of movies with scenes filmed in Carson City- The ShootistThe ShootistThe Shootist is a 1976 Western starring John Wayne in his final film role. It was based on the 1975 novel of the same name by Glendon Swarthout. Scott Hale and Miles Hood Swarthout wrote the screenplay...
– John Wayne’sJohn WayneMarion Mitchell Morrison , better known by his stage name John Wayne, was an American film actor, director and producer. He epitomized rugged masculinity and became an enduring American icon. He is famous for his distinctive calm voice, walk, and height...
last film that was shot on location at the Krebbs-Peterson House - BonanzaBonanzaBonanza is an American western television series that both ran on and was a production of NBC from September 12, 1959 to January 16, 1973. Lasting 14 seasons and 430 episodes, it ranks as the second longest running western series and still continues to air in syndication. It centers on the...
- Honkytonk ManHonkytonk ManHonkytonk Man is a 1982 American drama film set in the Great Depression. Clint Eastwood, who produced and directed, stars with his son, Kyle Eastwood. Clancy Carlile's screenplay is based on his novel of the same name...
- Pink Cadillac
- MiseryMisery (film)Misery is a 1990 American Psychological Horror Film based on Stephen King's 1987 novel of the same name. Directed by Rob Reiner, the film received critical acclaim for Kathy Bates' performance as the psychopathic Annie Wilkes...
The following is a list of films with scenes set in Carson City but filmed elsewhere
- Carson CityCarson City (1952 film)Carson City is a 1952 western film starring Randolph Scott, Lucille Norman, Raymond Massey, and Richard Webb. Carson City was Warner Bros.' first film shot in WarnerColor.-Plot:...
- Con AirCon AirCon Air is an Academy Award–nominated 1997 American action-thriller film directed by Simon West and produced by Jerry Bruckheimer. It stars Nicolas Cage, John Cusack and John Malkovich...
- Shanghai NoonShanghai NoonShanghai Noon is a 2000 American martial arts action comedy western film starring Jackie Chan and Owen Wilson. The film, marking the directorial debut of Tom Dey, was written by Alfred Gough and Miles Millar....
Notable Natives and residents
Carson City has served as one of the state’s centers for politics and business. Every state governor since Denver S. DickersonDenver S. Dickerson
Denver Sylvester Dickerson was an American politician. He was the 11th Governor of Nevada from 1908 to 1911. A member of the Silver – Democratic coalition party, he had previously held office as the 13th Lieutenant Governor of Nevada from 1907 to 1908...
has resided in the Governor's Mansion
Nevada Governor's Mansion
The Nevada Governor's Mansion is the official residence of the Governor of Nevada and his family. Reno architect George A. Ferris designed this Classical Revival style mansion.- History :...
located in Carson City. See also: List of Governors of Nevada. The following personalities took up a residence in Carson City at some point in their lives.
- Duane L. BlissDuane Leroy BlissDuane Leroy Bliss 19th-century Nevada timber and mining magnate. He founded the Carson and Tahoe Lumber and Fluming Company from Gold Hill, Nevada...
, timber businessman - Orion ClemensOrion ClemensOrion Clemens was the first and only Secretary of Nevada Territory. He is best known through his relationship to his younger brother Samuel Langhorne Clemens, known by the pen name Mark Twain.-Early life:...
, Secretary of Nevada Territory - Abraham CurryAbraham CurryAbraham Van Santvoord Curry is considered the founding father of Carson City, Nevada. A native of the state of New York, he traveled to the West Coast during the California Gold Rush and settled in Nevada's Eagle Valley, where Carson City was established.Curry served as an assemblyman of the...
, founding father of Carson City and early politician - Dat-So-La-Lee, Native American basket weaver and artist
- George FerrisGeorge Washington Gale Ferris, Jr.George Washington Gale Ferris, Jr. was an American engineer. He is most famous for creating the original Ferris Wheel for the 1893 Chicago World's Columbian Exposition.-Early life:...
, creator of the Ferris WheelFerris WheelThe original Ferris Wheel, sometimes also referred to as the Chicago Wheel, was the centerpiece of the 1893 World's Columbian Exposition in Chicago, Illinois.... - Paul LaxaltPaul LaxaltPaul Dominique Laxalt of Nevada was a former Republican District Attorney, Lieutenant Governor, Governor and U.S. Senator. In the media, the words "son of a Basque sheepherder" often accompanied his name. He was one of Ronald Reagan's closest friends in politics...
, former Govenor and U.S. Senator - Hank MonkHank MonkHank Monk was a legendary stagecoach driver in the 19th century who drove a stage between Carson City, Nevada and Placerville, California in the 1870s. He is mentioned in Chapter XX of Mark Twain's Roughing It.-Early life:...
, stagecoach driver - William OrmsbyWilliam OrmsbyWilliam Matthew Ormsby was an early settler of Nevada who was instrumental in the establishment of Carson City and the Nevada Territory. Major Ormsby was killed leading a vigilante force against Paiute Indians near Pyramid Lake.-Early Life:...
, soldier and namesake of Ormsby County and Ormsby HouseOrmsby HouseThe Ormsby House is a hotel/casino in Carson City, Nevada. Originally opened in 1971, it closed in 2000 for extensive renovations. It was planned to reopen on July 4, 2001, but the opening date has been pushed back many times due to construction delays, and management changes... - Mark TwainMark TwainSamuel Langhorne Clemens , better known by his pen name Mark Twain, was an American author and humorist...
, author (lived with his brother Orion) - Sarah WinnemuccaSarah WinnemuccaSarah Winnemucca was a prominent female Native American activist and educator, and an influential figure in the United States' nineteenth-century Indian policies...
, Native American author - Adam JonesAdam JonesAdam Jones may refer to:*Adam Jones , also known as Pacman Jones, current NFL cornerback*Adam Jones , baseball outfielder*Adam Jones , English auto racing driver...
, (Minden, Nevada) Red Bull X-Fighters Moto X Rider, X-Games Gold Medal winner 2007, Winner of X-Fighters event in Giza, Egypt, 2010. 8th in World Championship rankings for 2011.
Transportation
Interstate 580 (Nevada)
Interstate 580 in Nevada is an unsigned Interstate Highway in northwestern Nevada. It runs concurrently with U.S. Route 395 in Reno, for approximately five miles between Interstate 80 and Neil Road. Two separate highway construction projects are currently underway along the US 395 corridor that...
. Phase 1 of the Carson City Freeway Project from US 395, just north of the city, to US 50 was completed in February 2006 and Phase 2A, extending from Rt. 50 to Fairview Drive, was officially opened on September 24, 2009. Phase 2B, Fairview Drive to Rt. 50, awaits funding.
Carson City's first modern bus system, Jump Around Carson, or JAC, opened to the public. JAC uses a smaller urban bus that is ideal for Carson City. However, there is virtually no ground public transportation to other destinations. Passenger trains haven't served Carson City since 1948, Greyhound Lines
Greyhound Lines
Greyhound Lines, Inc., based in Dallas, Texas, is an intercity common carrier of passengers by bus serving over 3,700 destinations in the United States, Canada and Mexico, operating under the well-known logo of a leaping greyhound. It was founded in Hibbing, Minnesota, USA, in 1914 and...
stopped their bus services to the town in 2006 and Amtrak
Amtrak
The National Railroad Passenger Corporation, doing business as Amtrak , is a government-owned corporation that was organized on May 1, 1971, to provide intercity passenger train service in the United States. "Amtrak" is a portmanteau of the words "America" and "track". It is headquartered at Union...
discontinued their connecting thruway bus to Sacramento
Sacramento
Sacramento is the capital of the state of California, in the United States of America.Sacramento may also refer to:- United States :*Sacramento County, California*Sacramento, Kentucky*Sacramento – San Joaquin River Delta...
in 2008. There is now only a limited Monday – Friday RTC bus service to Reno
Reno
Reno is the fourth most populous city in Nevada, US.Reno may also refer to:-Places:Italy*The Reno River, in Northern ItalyCanada*Reno No...
which is still served by both Greyhound
Greyhound
The Greyhound is a breed of sighthound that has been primarily bred for coursing game and racing, and the breed has also recently seen a resurgence in its popularity as a pedigree show dog and family pet. It is a gentle and intelligent breed...
and Amtrak
Amtrak
The National Railroad Passenger Corporation, doing business as Amtrak , is a government-owned corporation that was organized on May 1, 1971, to provide intercity passenger train service in the United States. "Amtrak" is a portmanteau of the words "America" and "track". It is headquartered at Union...
.
Carson City is also served by the Carson Airport
Carson Airport
Carson Airport , also known as Carson City Airport, is a public use airport located three nautical miles northeast of the central business district of Carson City, the capital of the U.S. state of Nevada. It is operated by the Carson City Airport Authority...
, which is a regional airport in the northern part of the city. Reno-Tahoe International Airport, which is 28 miles (45.1 km) away, handles domestic commercial flights.
External links
- City of Carson City – official site.
- Reno-Tahoe CVB – Carson City pages
- Carson City Convention and Visitors Bureau
- Virginia & Truckee Railroad: Information about the historical railroad.