Looking west from William Street at the Dutch Mill restaurant, corner of William and Carson streets in the 1950s or '60s.
Wednesday
150 Years Ago
Notes from Mrs. C.M. Churchill, Grass Valley Union, June 21, 1873 (continued June 29): “Carson City, like most towns of its age, has many structures in all stages of respectability, and some in all states of decay. Upon visiting its back streets, where the residences are located, one is doomed to continual chagrin and disappointment. One house will present a fresh attractive appearance, the yard flourishing… Upon the adjoining premises will be found pig styles, cattle corrals, and chicken “fixens… the streets and gutters abound in every article of cast-off abomination to be found in a well-stocked junk shop…”
140 Years Ago
In brief: The next attraction at the Opera House will be Callender’s Celebrated Colored Minstrels.
Parties on the western side of the lake and at Truckee make it a practice to deceive tourists by telling them that the road from Glenbrook to Carson is in horrible condition. We desire to correct this misstatement, for the road is in as good condition as any in the state.
130 Years Ago
Empire items: The Morgan Mill is running thirty stamps on Con. California ore and three pans on slimes. The water of the Carson is all inside of its banks and still going down. Fishing is good at the Bland place. Owen McIntee keeps the market well supplied…
120 Years Ago
Local news: Reno, since it became a city, is to enforce the curfew ordinance. All youngsters are warned to take to their homes by 8 o’clock.
70 Years Ago
Advertisement: “Sky-Vue Drive-in Theatre, just north of Carson City, show starts at 8:30; Admission 65 cents; children under 12 free. ‘Ma and Pa Kettle on Vacation’ with Marjorie Main and Percy Kilbride. Also showing ‘Bright Victory.’”
30 Years Ago
CBS won the ratings race the first week of summer’s regular programs. Here are the top 10 shows: “Home Improvement,” “Coach,” “Nightmare in Columbia County, “Liar, Liar,” “Primetime Live,” “Roseanne,” “60 Minutes,” “20-20,” “48 Hours,” and “Seinfeld.”
Thursday
150 Years Ago
Notes from Mrs. C.M. Churchill (continued): “Ole Abe Curry is the first man I addressed after arriving at Carson. He is the hero of some of Mark Twain’s pioneer stories. I instinctively felt that he was an old acquaintance and would single him out from a company of fifty men in quest of general information. Curry is a large, well developed, well preserved, man of sixty, with fewer white hairs than most men have at forty with a luminous face, but genial as a harvest moon; and in his pioneer life has made himself so useful to the territory and young state that he deserves the title… Great Grand Benefactor of the Territory and Infant State.”
140 Years Ago
Captain Coulter: The Deputy Warden of the state prison is a most interesting and satisfactory lecturer upon the wonders out there. All who visit there are much gratified at the courteous and considerate attention that is shown them by all officers of the prison.
130 Years Ago
All sorts: Till-tappers are at large in Virginia City.
The enterprising staff of the Weekly have tracked up and run to cover the mysterious veiled lady and are still keeping her veiled.
120 Years Ago
Local news: The Reno Wheelman are to attend the Comstock carnival in a body. They will also have their band on deck.
Twenty thousand Incandescent lights are to be used in decorating C Street in Virginia (City) during the carnival.
70 Years Ago
Nervous squirrels, California: Pacific Telephone & Telegraph Co. may need a psychiatrist to cope with 30,000 San Fernando Valley squirrels which are chewing up telephone cables. They chew away protective lead sheathing on cables because they are “adolescent and neurotic.”
30 Years Ago
Advertisement: “Meadowdale Theatres, Meadowdale Shopping Center, Highway 395, all seats $3. ‘Snow White and the Seven Dwarfs,’ ‘Guilty as Sin,’ and ‘Son-in-Law.’”
Friday
150 Years Ago
Sardine Club: Jim Gray was in town, and he says that Cullen who was so badly scalded the other day at Steamboat isn’t dying nor going to die; but is on the mend and doing first rate.
140 Years Ago
In brief: There were many disturbances at the picnic on Sunday. A combination of whisky, beer and hot weather aroused numerous belligerent natures.
130 Years Ago
Tin wedding: Mr. and Mrs. James Howard celebrated their “tin” wedding at their ranch near Franktown. Parson Davis officiated at the ceremony in the presence of a number of invited guests. A banquet followed and Howard remarked that it was a bigger affair than his original marriage.
120 Years Ago
Dangerous toys: The boys of this city have been carrying around the much-dreaded toy pistol, the toy that has more dead men to its credit than a colt’s revolver. Several youngsters have blown the end of fingers off and maimed themselves or their neighbors. Parents should take the matter in hand and form a committee that will protect the youngsters as well as themselves. Dynamite, giant powder and other explosives are considered dangerous, but the toy pistol lands more youngsters in the bone yard than all of the other terrors.
70 Years Ago
Advertisement: “The Big Refrigerator, Hotpoint, over 15 1/2 square feet of shelf space, budget priced at $269.95… Gabler’s Electric, Carson City.”
30 Years Ago
Fireworks in Mills Park: The holiday show will begin at 9:30 p.m., is 30 minutes long and includes a giant finale. Thanks to the Credit Union who donated additional funds for the display.
Sue Ballew is the daughter of Bill Dolan, who wrote this column for the Nevada Appeal from 1947 until his death in 2006.