Published Caption: Nevada Appeal File Photo
By Karel Ancona-Henry
For the Nevada Appeal
The 18th annual "Festival of Spirits" Ghost Walk Tour offers a weekend of history and ghostly adventures, Oct. 22 and 23. Not only will there be two home tours Saturday, but the inaugural "Friends in Low Places" guided tour through Lone Mountain Cemetery kicks off the festivities, 5:30 p.m. that Friday.
Visitors will have two choices for the Ghost Walk Tour on Saturday: The Curses Tour or The Rumors Tour, each featuring Victorian-era homes along specific routes in the Capital City's historical district. Tours begin at 10 a.m. and run every half hour until 2 p.m. The walking tour takes about 90 minutes and features professional actors from Brüka Theatre dressed in period costumes, telling their stories of life in early Carson City.
"In all the years we've done these tours, no two have ever been the same," said Candace Duncan, executive director of Carson City Convention & Visitor's Bureau. "And with the addition of the 'Friends in Low Places Tour' visitors can meet many of Carson's historical figures who are buried (at Lone Mountain Cemetery) and then visit their homes on Saturday."
New locations have been added to the walking tours. While the Bliss Mansion isn't on the tour this year, Bliss Bungalow is. Other homes include the Rinckel Mansion and the Prain House. Inquire when purchasing tickets about which homes are featured in each walking tour.
"I am really excited about the addition of our 'Friends in Low Places Tour,' the first time we've opened Lone Mountain Cemetery for a tour like this," said Joy Evans, special event coordinator. "There will be lots of surprises on all the tours."
The cemetery tour will bring history to life through professional character actors portraying such notables as Abe Curry, who established the prison and the Carson City Mint and is widely regarded as the father of Carson City. Jennie Clemens, the niece of Samuel Clemens (Mark Twain) whose Bible is displayed at the First Presbyterian Church, will also attend. Jennie died of spotted fever at eight years of age, a loss from which her uncle never truly recovered. Hank Monk, the famous stagecoach driver who was known to drink heavily, will also make an entertaining appearance, Evans said.
One story goes that newspaper editor Horace Greeley needed a ride to Placerville where he was to give a speech and was assured by Monk he would get there on time. At the end of the ride, during which Greeley nearly bounced through the roof, he presented Monk with a gold watch for getting him to his destination on schedule. Monk was also known on one occasion to have accidentally given his horses his whiskey while himself partaking of water - a good thing, given he had a drunk team to control.
Visitors will also meet H.M. Yerington, for whom the town of Yerington is named. He was instrumental in developing the Virginia & Truckee Railroad and served as its superintendent.
Nellie V. Mighels Davis the newspaper woman who covered the Corbett-Fitzsimmons fight in 1897, will make a ghostly appearance. Evans said that Davies tried to be demure in her attendance since all the other women in at the fight were considered to be the "fancy" variety. Matthew Rinckel, owner of Eagle Market and butcher will appear, and the home he shared with his wife Marcella will be featured in one of Saturday's tours.
"These are not scary tours, but really are about history and while we are respectful, we also use a lot of humor," Evans said. "These friends have etched their initials in our history and it was their foresight, strength and perseverance that brought Carson City to what it is today."
Costumed guides will lead Saturday's tours, which depart from 3rd and Carson streets next to The Firkin & Fox Pub. Spirits of the past will share their endless haunting and stories on the historical Kit Carson Trail.
"This is one of the Capital City's most popular events, selling out in advance," Duncan said, adding that special overnight lodging rates are being offered to accommodate visitors.
These tours are not easily accessible to those requiring special accommodations.
Tickets cost $20 for each tour, or $15 each if both the Cemetery and Ghost Walk Tours are purchased.
Ghost Walk lodging rates are available at City Center Motel starting at $34 per night. Call 775-882-5535. For additional lodging information or tickets call 775-687-7410, 800-NEVADA-1 or go to the Web site at activitytickets.com to purchase tickets on-line.