Buildings along the north side of Taylor Street between B and A streets in Virginia City.
Saturday
150 Years Ago
The Black Frost which visited this part of creation Friday night was to be expected as a corollary to the unreasonable storms which immediately preceded it. Its effects are of the severest possible nature hereabout.
140 Years Ago
The Indians have become inoculated with the nuisance of the white boys, of playing ball on the main thoroughfare.
120 Years Ago
The inside story of how near Carson came to losing the Capitol now appears in print for the first time. It is a play that combines comic opera with a touch of genuine melodrama. If it wasn’t for the sunset playing havoc with the sentimental side of Abe Curry, things about this blurb would have been decidedly different.
70 Years Ago
A twice-postponed atomic explosion, 11th in the current test series at the Nevada proving grounds, is expected to be detonated shortly before dawn tomorrow. The explosion, expected to be the most powerful ever set off inside the continental United States.
30 Years Ago
The Memorial Day holiday was marred by the death of four locals who perished in a single-engine plane crash in steep terrain on the eastern edge of Yosemite National Park. Killed in the crash was William Ross, 69, of Incline Village; Constance Minor, 47, of Reno; John Hunsicker, 30, of Gardnerville; and Steven Aldrich, 42, of Gardnerville.
Sunday
150 Years Ago
Picnic: The festive Odd Fellows and their friends had a delightful day at their picnic at Mrs. Bowers’ place, and they enjoyed a most delightful junketing. The attendance was large, and the expedition was accompanied by a band of music which made stirring melodies as the train came through our town.
140 Years Ago
In brief: Keyser & Elrod started up their new stage line to Glenbrook with two six-horse relays changing at the foot of the hill.
Female dudes are called “dudeens,” and a fact that should not be forgotten is that they are just as numerous as the males.
130 Years Ago
Brains for sale: For 25 or 50 cents you can buy the brainwork of any standard American or European author. This can be done here in Carson at Cagwin and Noteware.
110 Years Ago
Auto licenses: At the present time 585 licenses have been secured from the Secretary of State. This is probably about one quarter of the number of machines owned in the state. The sheriff of this county has announced that he will stop every car without a license and hold the same till the licenses are purchased. If every sheriff does this, the full number of machines will be carrying their numbers, and the road fund will grow in consequence.
70 Years Ago
Advertisement: “Sky-Vue Drive In Theatre, just north of Carson City, gates open at 7 p.m., show starts at 8:30 p.m. Admission 65 cents; children under 12 free. Snack bar; ‘Against All Flags’ with Errol Flynn and Maureen O’Hara plus ‘It Grows on Trees’ with Irene Dunne & Dean Jagger, News and cartoon. Bring the family—We’ll warm baby’s bottle for you.”
30 Years Ago
Advertisement: “Stanton Park Subdivision, only 5 lots remaining. New 3 bedroom, 2 bath, 2 car garage, 1,040 to 1,760 square feet, prices start at $81,500…”
Monday
150 Years Ago
Hank Monk: A party of Boston tourists came into town from Lake Bigler (Tahoe) on Benton’s stage. By the quantity of dust they brought upon them, we reckon they got a full initiation into the dreadful discomforts of riding over the Bigler grade with wind astern.
140 Years Ago
H.G. May and Co.: Currents for preserving 5 cents per pound, finest cherries 14 cents. H.G. May & Co., Sacramento, will express C.O.D. all you need in 10-pound boxes to any address. Green corn 25 cents per dozen, tomatoes 8 cents per pound, gooseberries 8 cents, string beans 7 cents, and new potatoes 1 cent per pound by the sack.
130 Years Ago
Dr. H. Wardlaw has fitted up an elegant dental office in the Rinckel Building and is now prepared to do all kinds of dentistry.
110 Years Ago
New wing: More room is needed in the State Capitol building. The work of fixing headquarters for the tax commission, the state engineer, the railroad commission and other offices are scattered from the main building. Drawing plans will be finished when the governor returns, and building will take on a serious turn.
70 Years Ago
Atomic bomb: The most powerful atomic bomb ever set off in the United States burst with the brilliance of a giant sun in the predawn darkness. It was seen in Canada and from the Golden Gate to Colorado. The bomb was two and one-half times as strong as the A-blasts of World War II.
30 Years Ago
Kit Carson days: Thousands are expected to attend festivities which include wagon rides, bluegrass music, food and spirits to honor the legends that founded Carson City. Opening ceremonies on Saturday will be followed by gunfighter team competitions, bluegrass music, dancers and arts and crafts exhibits that will continue throughout the weekend. A portion of the proceeds will benefit the Make-A-Wish Foundation of Nevada.
Tuesday
150 Years Ago
Vacate: We shall vacate our present premises. A Chinese person came lumbering into our sanctum with a dilapidated old tea pot in his hand, a request in his mouth that we mend that utensil. He took us for a tinker! He mistook our den for a place where they dispense soft solder. We banished him to Rail’s (hardware store) and locked the door.
140 Years Ago
In brief: Carson has not had a first-class Fourth of July celebration for many years. If one is to be had here this year, let it be a “rouser,” and invite all our neighbors.
The number of young and unmarried men in Carson who have their lives insured in secret organizations, is surprising, and the number is constantly increasing.
130 Years Ago
Wonderful work of a Nevada inventor: California has claimed Nevada’s best as their own. Emma Nevada was born in Nevada, Albert Saxon was from Carson the Capitol, and G.W.G. Ferris is a Nevada boy, and his sister, Mrs. Alex Ardery, is now living in Carson.
The people of Carson may get an idea of the magnificent piece of work, the Ferris Wheel, young Ferris is now engineering. It is still incomplete, but the work is going rapidly. Prominent club men and engineers consider Ferris the equal of Eiffel. Every seat in the Ferris Wheel is engaged.
Young Ferris has been largely identified with extensive bridge enterprises in Ohio, Pennsylvania, West Virginia, and other states. He will be glad to see people from Nevada as he considers it the scene of his childhood and will press your hand warmly for the place you come from.
110 Years Ago
Carson Valley to celebrate: In order to properly celebrate the good times, it is planned to hold a mammoth picnic just before the haying starts in the valley and then afterward everyone goes to work. There will be a street parade of decorated autos, music day and night and in the evening dancing with Litchenberg’s orchestra to furnish the music.
70 Years Ago
Elementary school graduation exercises will be held at the high school gym. The program will feature a number of selections by the junior band and a song by the 8th grade chorus, “Whispering Hope.” Verna Lee Winters will play a piano solo and Edward Allison will read the class will written by him and Bob McCulloch. The class prophecy written by Eddie Shaw and Kathleen Kimble will be read by Chester Wood. The program will get under way with a processional march by the high school band under the direction of Alfred A. Saliman.
30 Years Ago
Twain Tuesday: Humor for the intellectual stomach, will bring Mark Twain to the Brewery Arts Center. Bring a picnic dinner to enjoy before the performance. McAvoy Layne is a scholar of Mark Twain as well as an interpreter of his personality. Tickets are available at the BAC, $8 general admission, students, seniors, and BAC members $7.
Sue Ballew is the daughter of Bill Dolan, who wrote this column for the Nevada Appeal from 1947 until his death in 2006.