The Genoa Courthouse Museum
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The Genoa Courthouse Museum was built as the courthouse
for the county seat of Douglas county in 1865.
Douglas is one of ten original counties in the Territory
of Nevada, and Genoa was the only town among a few small
villages or settlements. Territorial status had been granted March 2, 1861, removing control of the area which had been Western Utah from Salt Lake City and the Mormon Church. In 1862 the county was leasing the old Catholic Church, built by Father Gallagher, for $40 a month from merchant A. Kolmer. By 1863 County Commissioners discussed the need for permanent, secure quarters but took no action. Fortunately, a group of leading citizens decided in 1864 to draw a name from a hat to donate land and $500 cash toward a courthouse in Genoa. Some participants even offered some free labor. J.S. Soloman, the first name drawn, could not provide a clear title to his land, and Jacobs & Bros. were selected to provide a parcel for the building. Architect T.J. Furbee received $100 for his work rather than the $125 he requested. The brick was kilned by Rufus Adams and L.A. Gilman |
served as contractor,
bringing the building to completion for $18,000.
The sheriff purchased the furnishings, including pieces
for the courtroom on exhibit today. The vault which is now the Pony Express Room was completed in 1910 just months before the "Terrible Fire of 1910". The Gardnerville firemen were accused of "letting it burn" by stopping at the river to water their horses. However, the county seat was moved to the new town of Minden in 1916 instead of Gardnerville which got the high school. The old courthouse immediately became a school for the children of Genoa. In 1956 it was closed with the building turned over to the state which in 1966 deeded the building to the Carson Valley Historical Society for a museum. After much fund-raising the exterior was restored to its' 1865 appearance. A grand opening was held in 1978, and the museum is operated from May to October. Exhibits include the old courtroom, a county office, the blacksmith shop and jail, Washo Indian life and artifacts, schoolroom, school kitchen and a room dedicated to John "Snowshoe" Thompson, "Mailman of the Sierra". |
This material is copyrighted by author Nancy C. Miluck, and may also be found in an article by Eva Scarselli in The Genoa-Carson Valley Book, 1991-92 Issue, May1991 (702) 782-4325
For membership or other information contact
us by email
or send us a note at P.O. Box 226 Genoa, NV 89411