Ghosts come back to haunt the area this weekend

Gardnerville was named for John and Mary Gardner.

Mormon Station was created from a log cabin built by Stephen Kinsey, who later became the county clerk and recorder and married a woman named Sarah Jane.

All four of them were dead and buried by 1905.

These four Carson Valley pioneers are laid to rest not far from each other - the Gardners in Jacks Valley Cemetery, which is on private land, and the Kinseys in Genoa Cemetery.

They will come to life tonight as part of the 11th annual Genoa Cemetery Tour, followed by the Genoa Ghost Walk on Sunday morning.

Carson City will have its share of visitors from beyond the veil as well. For the 14th year, the Carson City Convention and Visitors Bureau is partnering with the Carson City Redevelopment Agency to put on the Kit Carson Ghost Walk today.

The 90-minute walking tours, titled "Grave Concerns," will take visitors through historic downtown Carson City and introduce them to several former residents.

The Kit Carson Ghost Walk offers two tours, "Remembrance" and "Resurrection," of approximately one mile. They include five inside performances at historic properties.

As for the pioneers, John Gardner died first in 1887, Mary followed him in 1899, Stephen Kinsey went in 1903 and Sarah Jane in 1905.

Who knows if the two couples knew each other, although they lived in Carson Valley at the same time. Maybe the Gardners attended the Kinseys' wedding on Oct. 2, 1856, when they were married by Judge Orson Hyde.

Although, according to museum records, it was in Washoe Valley and there were only a few friends and family in attendance.

Today

WHAT: Kit Carson Ghost Walk

WHEN: 9 a.m.-3 p.m, tours depart every 30 minutes

WHERE: St. Charles Hotel, corner of Third and Carson streets

COST: $15

CALL: 687-7410

WHAT: Douglas County Historical Society's 11th annual Cemetery Tour

WHEN: 6:30-8 p.m.

WHERE: Genoa Cemetery on Jacks Valley Road in Genoa

COST: $5 per person.

CALL: For reservations, call the Carson Valley Museum & Cultural Center at 782-2555.

The guided cemetery tour lets you step back in time as family members and others bring to life some of Nevada's earliest pioneers. Free hot cider and cookies will be served.

Sunday

WHAT: Haunted Genoa Ghost Walk

WHEN: 10:30 a.m.

WHERE: Tours depart from Genoa Court House Museum

COST: $5 per person

CALL: Carson Valley Museum & Cultural Center at 782-2555.

Free cookies and cider will be served. Sunday is the last day the Genoa Court House Museum will be open until May.