Vandals, pranksters drawn to C Hill

Someone sloshed orange and black paint over the huge letter made of rocks painted white. No damage was done to the U.S. flag above the "C."

Carson City Sheriff Kenny Furlong noticed the vandalism during the middle of last week, days before a football game between Carson and Douglas high schools.

The vandalism is "very likely associated with sports activities, but the assumption is based on historical lettering in the town," Furlong said.

The vandals seemed to have run out of paint and rocks before they completed their mission. There is a letter "L" in the middle of the "C." Less visible, on the side of the American flag above the "C" is the scrawl "DHS."

The little "L" inside the big "C" might be a jeer at Carson High, a way to call them "losers" after the big game, according to some at Carson High.

"It's a little bit funny," said Michael Little, a Carson sophomore. "But it's vandalism."

Orange and black are Douglas High School's colors. And the "C" has been changed into a "D" in the past.

Supervisor Robin Williamson, president of the C Hill Flag Foundation, said she expects volunteers to repair the damage soon.

The hill is a site very close to the hearts of Carsonites young and old. The "C" was put up during the early 1920s by Carson High students "as a way to show community pride," said Guy Rocha, Nevada state archivist.

Furlong grew up in Carson City and has seen a variety of things done to the "C" during the years. He and other longtimers have seen it turned into a peace sign and a happy face. Carson High seniors have painted or used rocks to create the years of their graduations inside the "C."

Douglas High School has been subject to vandalism that could be linked to Carson High School, too. It's a longtime rivalry. The schools' football teams have been pitted against one another since the 1920s.

"I think it's hilarious they did it and didn't get caught," said Buddy Cobb, a sophomore at Carson High School.

"I think it's lame," said Beth Kepley, a CHS senior.

Blue paint - Carson's colors are blue and white - was sprayed around the campus not too long ago. And, recently, someone planted a tree in the middle of what will be the campus ball field once its renovation is complete. The tree planting has been attributed simply to a "rival school," according to The Record-Courier.

Douglas County Sheriff Ron Pierini, who also grew up in Carson City, remembers the "C" being the repeated target of vandals. That these things happen is "disheartening," he said.

"The 'C' is the pride of the Carson High School," Pierini said.

And Williamson remembered hearing about how the area was used for hazing.

"They used to make freshman get naked and run down the hill," Williamson said she's heard. "There's a history of pranks."

Some people thought the faint orange and black paint was in honor of the Basques or Mexicans or for Salsa Y Salsas, who all had events this weekend, she also said.

Though the "C" is separate from the C Hill flag, the foundation has tended to the letter since the flag went up two years ago, Williamson said.

Carson High students also have taken care of the "C" and its surroundings during the years. One student even made it his senior project.

C Hill is owned by the United States Forest Service.

• Contact reporter Terri Harber at tharber @nevadaappeal.com or 882-2111, ext. 215.