A history lesson that could finally pay off

Some will do it for the love of history, others for the thrill of the hunt.

But most people taking part in the Nevada Day Treasure Hunt do it for one big reason - well, it's actually more like a thousand dollars worth of them.

As the state prepares to celebrate its 142nd birthday, the Nevada Day Treasure Hunt Committee is celebrating by creating set of clues that will send residents of Northern Nevada to the farthest reaches of six counties in search of a 3-by-3-inch acrylic medallion.

The Nevada Day Treasure Hunt was first run from 2000 to 2002, and was absent for two years before being started again last year.

The man that will send residents through city parks and into national forests is Jesse Olson, chairman of the committee. Sierra Electric, Olson's company, is sponsoring the event.

"This has turned into a year-round event for the committee, from finding a place to hide it and creating the clues," Olson said.

During the previous four years, the treasure has been found by a variety of people, including two firemen, a grandmother and - last year's winner - the Presswood family.

It took 13 clues for the family of five to discover the medallion in the landscaping outside the Nevada State Museum.

"It's one thing we do together every year. Every morning, we call and get the clues from Dad and work on it," Robert Presswood said last year. "You are hoping to find it, but you don't think you actually will."

Olson said he couldn't have hoped for a better winner - a family working together to decode the clues.

"They reminded me of what my family used to do back in Portland," he said. "That's how we got started in this."

The medallion has been hidden in Genoa, Silver City, Rancho San Rafael Park and the museum.

how it works

So, looking for some glory while adding a little coin to your wallet?

Here's how it works:

Beginning Monday and continuing every weekday for 15 days - or until the treasure is found - the Nevada Appeal will run clues to the treasure's location. The 15 four-line clues were created by the Nevada Day Treasure Hunt Committee. The contest will end, regardless of whether the treasure is found, on Oct. 27.

The medallion will be hidden on public property somewhere in Carson City, Churchill, Douglas, Lyon, Storey or Washoe counties. The leather pouch containing the medallion will not be buried, and no structure will have to be disturbed or climbed to find it.

The first person to find the medallion and return it to the Appeal office, 580 Mallory Way in Carson City, during normal business hours. will receive $1,000 and a plaque.

Olson's only advice is to look at not only what the clues say, but also how they are written and the wording used. Also, make sure to utilize a very important resource.

"Get out your maps, and make sure you are using them," Olson said.

Want to participate?

• For contest rules and information, send a self-addressed stamped envelope to: Treasure Hunt Committee 20 Adair Drive, Suite F Carson City, NV 89701,

• Look for clues weekdays in the Nevada Appeal, beginning Monday.

• Use the clues to find the location of the leather pouch containing the 3-by-3-inch acrylic medallion.

• Return the medallion to the Nevada Appeal office, at 580 Mallory Way in Carson City, during normal business hours.