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Our First Marker
Ensuring our future remembers our past
Being the first number within the State Marker System, [1] - Empire & Carson River Mills showcases a remarkable push in our state's heritage. At the beginning of 1990, the Nevada State Historical Marker System was enacted by the State Historical Preservation Office in Carson City, a program honoring selected sites around the State of Nevada with "roadside heritage plaques." It wasn't but two months later this new program hit a roadblock and sparked some debate among state lobbyists regarding already limited state funds and the need for precious man hours. To much surprise, a zealous appeal by the general public and a fully-funded ten-year contract won enough ground to re-launch the State Marker System and with it - the construction of Nevada's first state-funded historical marker!
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Marker History
The original location for [1] was set for the Carson River bridge along Deer Run Road - a more historically accurate location (approximately one-half mile to the southeast) near the former site of the Gregory Mill. However, the SHPO deemed it a little out of the way. Instead, they settled on this particular spot along US 50. Despite it being the first marker in the system, this one has somehow lived a docile life. Since its debut, [1] has seen a number of improvements. In 1995, the mortar within its stone base was replaced, and in 2000, a more modern metal plaque (so often seen by many of the markers around the state) was placed over its original etched lettering to further protect it against wear and tear.
Get There
Along US 50, 4 miles east of Carson Street - Carson City
City
Carson City
Region
Reno-Tahoe
Signed
Both lanes of US 50.
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Easy
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Very visible from the road. There's plenty of parking available though you don't even need to get out of your car.
Exact Description:
"When the Comstock Lode was discovered in 1859, the problem of reducing the ore from the fabulously-rich Virginia City mines had to be solved. Mills were built in Gold Canyon and Six Mile Canyon, in Washoe Valley, at Dayton, and on the Carson River which offered the most abundant source of water for generating power to the mills.
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On the east shore of the river near the town of Empire the first small mill, built in 1860, was later enlarged to become the Mexican. The site of this mill lies to the southwest. Other large mills were then constructed further downstream, spurring the growth of the town of Empire. Ore was hauled to the mills at first by wagon and later by the famous Virginia and Truckee Railroad built in 1869. Fortunes in gold and silver were produced in over 40 years of operation by the Carson River mills including the Mexican, Yellow Jacket, Brunswick, Vivian, Merrimac and Santiago. Traces of Empire and its mills can still be seen today."
Nevada's first historical marker on the outskirts of Carson City.
The milling town of Empire City is now just an historic cemetery with a view of the mountains.
Notice the upgraded steel plaque over the original stone face. This metal plaque was used to preserve the stone's text - one of only twenty Stone markers in Nevada.
Nevada's first historical marker on the outskirts of Carson City.
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Explore More
Use this section to seek out more adventures around this marker!
What do you think?
Have you been to this marker lately? Tell us all about it here, including any recent updates or interesting sights you've seen on your conquering!
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