Historical Society to manage depot

The Historical Society of Dayton Valley is ready to go to rehabilitate the historic Carson & Colorado Depot at the corner of Highway 50 and Main Street in Old Town Dayton.

Society President Linda Adams told the Lyon County Commission that she has met with the Nevada Department of Transportation on applying for Transportation Enhancement Grants to restore the building.

The commission approved a contract with the Historical Society that allows the nonprofit volunteer group to manage the property, lead restoration efforts and use funds set aside for that restoration.

"This will support our organization, and we can still contribute to the county," she said.

The contract is for the nominal fee of $1 per year, and stipulates that the contractor will keep and maintain books, which will be audited regularly, will comply with all state and federal regulations and statutes as well as Lyon County ordinances and will provide books for review by county officials. Also, books and records must be retained for a minimum three years and five years if federal funds are used.

The society will provide insurance for the depot and will add the county as co-insured.

Commissioner Bob Milz said the county would try again to get grants from NDOT for the building.

Initially the Historical Society was to share the building with the Dayton Area Chamber of Commerce so that they could use it as a visitors center, with the society maintaining exhibits and the chamber providing visitor information, but that arrangement has fallen through for the time being, Adams said.

"That way they would be visible in the community and the community would see that the building was being used," she said.

She said the chamber required a letter from the commission indicating their approval before they could begin negotiations.

• Contact reporter Karen Woodmansee at kwoodmansee@nevadaappeal.com or call 881-7351.