Plenty of historical preservation projects

While a good number of Carson City residents wring their hands over what to do with First Presbyterian Church's historic building, an entire section of Carson's history sits waiting for attention.

We refer to the old Stewart Indian School, where buildings not being used by the state and Washoe tribe are falling down before our very eyes.

It's been 26 years since the school closed, and it's been at least 26 years since the property has been fully utilized.

Downtown Carson City and the homes/offices on the west side aren't the only part of Carson on the national historic register. Stewart, which opened in 1890, once featured 60 buildings originally constructed by Hopi stonemasons in the 1920s. The main building was magnificent.

Concerns over the safety of the buildings if an earthquake struck, as well as federal budget cuts, led to the closure of the school in 1980.

Like the Presbyterian Church, the history of the school is as much about the people as the buildings. It's a rare and unforgettable chapter in the legacy of the capital, no less than the U.S. Mint and the Virginia & Truckee Railroad.

There's simply never enough money to restore all the historical buildings we'd like to see saved. But while the church building is drawing attention now, and the dilemma facing its members persists, its worth pausing to remember it's not alone in its plight.

Carson City needs to set priorities for a long list of projects, similar to its wish list for open space. Historical tourism is the present and future, especially with the restoration of the V&T.

Perhaps Carson residents are willing to dedicate another fraction of sales tax toward historic preservation to help leverage state and federal funds. It can't hurt to ask.

Otherwise someday, we fear, we'll sit back and wonder how we let Stewart slip away. Neglect is all it takes.