By Ruby McFarland
I'd hate to think that any of our historic buildings might fall victim to the wreckers. Carson City should step up and preserve every bit of history it can. I've said it before - you can't recall history by pointing to a vacant lot.
The old buildings in Dayton, some dating back to at least 1862, should be our pride and joy. We seldom get a chance to save something as valuable as the history of our area, the site of Nevada's first gold discovery, in 1849. We still have that opportunity and must not give up.
The Harrises, on Silver Street, should get a medal for the restoration they have done on their old residences. The care they have taken to clean up and refresh the buildings is nothing short of a miracle. One of the oldest settled residential sites in Nevada, on the whole, Silver Street is beginning to look and feel like the Dayton of old.
Folks along River Street must also be commended. All of the buildings seem to have had repairs and renovations lately, with old gardens and fences mended. It looks like people care. It's nice to live in a neighborhood where neighbors want the same things you do, like putting effort into improving their surroundings.
Soon, the 1880 Carson & Colorado Railroad depot in Dayton will add to the historic old town district's ambiance. Much time, money and effort has been put into saving the station, one of the three existing C&C depots in Northern Nevada. It will be the showplace and gateway to old and new Dayton.
While offering accolades to those assisting to reclaim Dayton's historical character, let's not forget people on Main Street who have put forth an effort.
Joe and Bonnie at the Wild Horse Saloon and Gold Canyon Steak House have upgraded the outside and inside of their building. We hope, soon, the Old Corner Bar will have new tenants and complete extensive remodeling. The old-but-repainted Levi Strauss sign will remain.
It was repainted by Levi Strauss & Co. in 1999 by a mural-restoration specialist the company hired. A gift worth about $35,000, it was given on behalf of the Dayton Museum Historical Society to the community when Dayton celebrated its sesquicentennial.
Thanks to you folks who love Old Dayton and want to preserve it for the future.
The Dayton Museum is on Shady Lane and Logan in Old Town Dayton. It's also the location of the Dayton Chamber office. It is open during the week at random hours and 10 a.m.-4 p.m. Saturdays and 1-4 p.m. Sundays. Check out daytonnvhistory.org. Group tours are available. Call 246-5543, 246-0462 or 246-0441.
The Dayton Historical Society meets at noon on the third Wednesday of the month at the Dayton Valley Community Center. Visitors welcome.
-- Ruby McFarland is a 17-year resident of Dayton, a board member of the Dayton Historical Society and a docent at the museum.