Supervisors dedicate Thursday to honor videographer Jim Thorpe

Carson City supervisors set aside Thursday in honor of the man who, for most of two decades, has recorded nearly every one of their actions for posterity.

Jim Thorpe, who first moved to Carson City in 1935, has made recording Carson City's community history his hobby and his passion since 1988 when he first began videotaping meetings of the Supervisors, planning commission and other boards and committees.

Since then, he has recorded thousands of hours of meetings and, according to Supervisor Robin Williamson, "almost every public gathering in Carson City at his own expense."

She said he has faithfully recorded everything from Carson High School graduation ceremonies to board meetings, community group meetings and cultural events.

Thorpe, 85, said simply "I like to do it. It's my hobby."

His tapes of those events have been regularly broadcast on public access television throughout the area. Thorpe said the public is welcome to copy any portions of the videos.

Although he never graduated from public school, he attended several technical and trade schools. He spent four years in the U.S. Navy during World War II, most of it on the USS Tennessee and fought in battles including Iwo Jima.

After the war, he returned to Nevada and worked with his father while building a home on Lone Mountain Drive. He built and operated a mobile home park for years until his retirement.

It was then he decided to combine his interest in the community with his hobby of making videotapes and began recording Carson City's history.

Carson City's Historic Preservation Coalition will be transferring Thorpes videos onto DVDs. They are raising money, about $17,000 is needed, to complete the project.

Once transferred, the DVDs will be donated to the Carson City Library. Contact coalition President Eileen Cohen for information at 267-2557.

Contact Geoff Dornan at nevadaappeal@sbcglobal.net or 687-8750.