Исторический центр Геноа и Гарднервилля в Неваде: от первых мормонских поселений до баскской кухни

The quaint town of Genoa, located just down the road from Gardnerville, Nevada, on Genoa Lane off Highway 395, is home to Nevada’s first Permanent Mormon Settlement. Though 7.5 hours northwest of us, if you’re ever in the area, the Mormon Station and Gardnerville make for a charming historical tourist stopover. The Mormon Station sits on a beautiful site with green grass, multiple trees and a large pavilion. It’s a great picnic area for lunch. The station itself is a log cabin replica built in 1947, as the original one burned down in 1910. The large fort-like enclosure was built as an animal stockade, and there is also a log cabin and a trading post. Gold discovered in California in 1848 caused thousands to travel the California Trail from Salt Lake City. A trading post was established in 1850 by Abner Blackburn and Hampton Beatie on this site. That lasted about a year before Beatie returned to Salt Lake City with tales of the business-profitable emigrant’s route, tales heard by John Reese. In 1851, Reese decided to move to Carson Valley at the site of Beatie’s old trading post. He purchased the land and land around the site, plowed 30 acres for seed and built a combination store and hotel out of logs. A blacksmith shop to repair wagons was also built. People began to settle at what was now known as “Mormon Station.” Reese began to organize a squatter’s government that did not follow the same laws as Utah Territory, where Mormon Station was located. Governor Brigham Young appointed Mormon Apostle Orson Hyde as a probate judge and spiritual head of the community. Hyde changed the name of the community to Genoa (after the town in Italy) and made it the county seat. Mormons continued to settle the area until 1851, when Young called all Mormons back to Salt Lake. Genoa was a Pony Express Stop from 1860 to 1861. It and the station continued to flourish until about 1885. Congress created the Territory of Nevada in 1861. James Nye became the governor and Carson City the capital of the new territory. In 1864, Nevada became the thirty-sixth state, “Battle Born” because statehood occurred during the Civil War. Today, visitors can enjoy the beautiful park grounds and tour the log cabin museum, with its many artifacts and historical information. Also on the site is the historic Kinsey House, the oldest surviving residence in Nevada. It was lived in until 2023, when a purchase was made possible through a partnership with The Conservation Fund, a national nonprofit that helps protect at-risk lands for conservation partners, and was jointly funded by the Land and Water Conservation Fund and the Conserve Nevada Bond Program. Stephen Kinsey was the first Nevada county recorder and clerk. He published the first newspaper in the Nevada Territory, “The Scorpion.” Many events happen in Genoa around the park grounds, including monthly wine tastings. Gardnerville offers its own uniqueness. Its Main Street program has helped to restore historic buildings along 395. In 1887, Gardnerville became a hub to serve as a feed stop for the 24-horse freight teams traveling between Carson City and the mining camps. By 1889, Gardnerville became a center of commerce for Carson Valley. In 1898, Basque families from the Pyrenees came and settled here. They brought shepherding traditions and their language and food. Today, visitors can enjoy true Basque food at JT Basque Bar & Dining located at 1426 Highway 395, including Picon Punch, a traditional Basque opening drink. The Gardnerville downtown part of 395 is lined with historic buildings that now house restaurants, bars, bookstores and great boutiques. Park the car and walk to enjoy. The Corner Saloon was constructed in the late 1890s. It was later purchased by Milos “Sharkey” Begovich in 1970. The Jackpot Café, within the casino, is a visitor’s highlight. The short-order cooks, who customers at the counter can see, really verified how to cook the eggs; it is an amazing experience watching the staff work together in harmony within that contained space. Museum lovers will not be disappointed in the Carson Valley Museum and Culture Center located at 1477 Highway 395. The building also houses the chamber of commerce. The museum is well put together and quite informative. There is a room dedicated to the Washoe Native American tribe, known for their exquisite baskets, woven to carry water. The museum is open Monday through Friday from 11 a.m. to 3 p.m., and the first Saturday of each month. The visitor’s center is walkable from the town center, but it was closed on the Saturday this reporter visited. There are at least five RV parks and campgrounds nearby. Get more information at www.visitcarsonvalley.org