Dayton's history outlined in lecture series

The Dayton Museum has been giving weekly training sessions on the history of this area. The need for museum docents was acute, and this old docent needed some lively new blood to tell Dayton's story. We are getting some great new strength in several people who want to take over some of the responsibility of revealing the tale of Nevada's beginning.

May is going to be a busy month for the Historical Society of Dayton Valley. We are sponsoring a series of four lectures in May. It's all part of the "Travel Nevada's Past" for Nevada Archaeological Awareness and Historic Preservation Month (there's a title for you). The Nevada State Historic Preservation Office sponsors this annual event.

One of the main events, held in conjunction with the Dayton Area Chamber of Commerce's Oodles of Noodles annual fundraiser on May 12 is the dedication and unveiling of the placement of five kiosks around town that tell Dayton's history in words and photos. The ceremony begins at 1 p.m. in front of the Carson and Colorado Railroad Station on Main Street and Highway 50 at the signal light. (The Station is destined for rehabilitation in the future with a tourist visitor's center and Dayton Chamber office located at the site.)

Also during May, the Society is sponsoring historical lectures, the first one at 7 p.m. May 3 at the Dayton Senior Center at 320 Old Dayton Valley Road. "The history of the Emigrant Trail" that ran through Dayton will be presented by guest speaker Phillip Earl, retired curator of history at the Nevada Historical Society in Reno.

The second lecture, scheduled for 7 p.m. May 10 at Dayton Senior Center, features "The Pony Express" with Larry McPherson at the reins. McPherson is the past president of the Nevada National Pony Express Association.

At 7 p.m. May 17 Phil Earl will return, offering "The History of The Lincoln Highway" that ran through Dayton in the early days.

The last lecture of the series is 7 p.m. May 31 at the Dayton Senior Center, on the "Carson & Colorado Railroad" that ran from Mound House to Dayton and farther south into central Nevada and onto Keeler, Calif.

Allen is a volunteer at the Nevada State Railroad Museum in Carson City.

On May 19, longtime Dayton resident and avid history buff Stony Tennant will provide a "Travel Through Time" with a walking tour denoting the variety of transportation routes that were once active around Dayton's historic old town sector. Meet at the Dayton Museum on Shady Lane and Logan at 1 p.m.

Also, please note, the Dayton Museum will be open during May seven days a week from 11 a.m. to 3 p.m. weekdays. Saturday's hours are 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. and on Sundays, 1 to 4 p.m.

We hope you take advantage of these wonderful lectures and also tour the museum, rich with Dayton, Lyon County and Nevada history. We know you will enjoy the events open to the entire family free of charge. For details, call 246-0505 or 246-3256.

The Historical Society of Dayton Valley meets at noon on the third Wednesday of the month at the Dayton Valley Community Center. Visitors welcome.

• Ruby McFarland has lived in Dayton since October 1987, she serves as a board member of the Dayton Historical Society and a docent at the museum.