Boy, you really have to hand it to those brave souls who came west in a covered wagon. They had no idea what the conditions were on the trail and not a clue what life would be after they reached their destination. In this day and age, it's a little hard to imagine, especially when camping out to most people means staying in a hotel without room service.
Fanny Gore Hazlett came across the continent and survived some pretty harrowing experiences. When the wagon train crossed the 40 Mile Desert and the people saw that thin band of green along the Carson River, they could hardly believe their eyes. The trek across the desert was an eye opener to most who made it. There were dead animals, graves of pioneers, furniture, wagon wheels, empty water barrels, and other objects dumped to lighten the loads of the wagons.
Upon arriving at the river the animals rushed to get to the much needed water. The people on the wagon train rejoiced at their good luck at arriving at the river.
Fanny Gore Hazlett arrived at Buckland Station and the party of pioneers stayed there for a couple of days. Mr. Buckland started the rest stop with a few tents and eventually built a substantial hotel to accommodate travelers.
The Historic Society of Dayton Valley went to Buckland Station on a tour in June. It was a step back in time. One could feel the history of the whole area around the station. To begin with, the site for the Buckland Station is right on the Carson River with stately poplar and locus trees all around.
Fanny wrote about the station and the Bucklands in her journal. She also recorded her arrival in the area now known as Dayton.
After delivering a couple of passengers that were on the wagon train to Carson City, Fanny came back to Dayton. She and her brother moved up Eldorado Canyon to start a wood cutting business and boarding house. Her boarding house was a canvas covered frame with a fire pit at one end.
It was obviously a success because she stayed in Dayton, married a doctor, and raised a daughter.
Fanny was engaged in a lot of projects around Dayton and Nevada. She worked hard for the woman's right to vote. She wrote many articles about her knowledge of the history of Dayton and Nevada. As a matter of fact, we have her book of the history of Dayton for sale at the Museum. Come in and see us soon.
New meeting time and location
The Historical Society of Dayton Valley has a new meeting time and location. New time: 12:30 Ð 1:45 p.m.. New Location: Lyon County Library Ð Dayton Branch Conference Room; 321 Old Dayton Valley Road. We will continue to meet there the 3rd Wednesday each month. All are welcome.
The Dayton Museum is located on Shady Lane and Logan in Old Town Dayton. Hours: Sat 10-4 & Sun 1-4. The web site is daytonnvhistory.org. Group tours are available. Call 246-5543, 246-8382 or 246-0441
• 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.