November 2010

In 1893-1894, this site is where C.C. Duson sold the first land sites and named the town for his wife, Eunice. The conversion of this old depot into a museum was completed in 1984. The collections within this depot museum include Cajun Music, Old Toys, Railroad Items, History of Cajun Mardi Gras, Pioneer Farming, LA Indian Life, History of Newspaper, Caboose, Loom & Spinning Wheel, Video Tapes, and Cajun Life. Items for sale at the museum include: Cajun and Zydeco music, souvenirs and Cajun Crafts.

The town first came into being in 1870 as Lewiston, when gold was discovered at the head of the Lewiston Canyon. In 1874 the ore started to give out, and Lewiston became a ghost town by 1880.

There has been a bridge at this site since 1860, when C. W. Fuller constructed the first recorded span of the Truckee River. Architect John B. Leonard of San Francisco chose a Beaux Arts design in keeping with the urban setting of the bridge. Leonard's design employed concrete scored to resemble masonry. Other traditional characteristics of masonry construction include the classical arches and the pilasters rising to the level of the ornate iron railing. Above the arches, the bridge is a concrete shell, earth filled to the roadway and sidewalk level. The quality of design and aesthetics make this bridge unusual in Nevada.

The Museum Center features three changing exhibit galleries and an elegant sculpture court; a unique hands-on Discovery Gallery and a renowned Inuit Art Gallery; and the acoustic delight of Milliken Auditorium.

Panels list all of the Medal of Honor recipients to date and include such well-known names as Audie Murphy, Sergeant Alvin York and Jimmie Doolittle. Exhibits include memorabilia and artifacts relating to Medal of Honor recipients and archives of important documents. In addition to the permanent exhibit, rotating displays will focus on related areas of interest. Included in the eight eras of Medal of Honor history are The Civil War, Indian Campaigns, Wars of American Expansion, Peacetime, World War I, World War II, Korea, and Vietnam.

Built in 1897 by Luclen L. Nunn at an estimated cost of just $50,000, the plant harnessed the power of the Provo River to generate electricity and transmit power over a distance of 32 miles to mining operations in Mercur, Utah. This was almost three times the voltage of any existing line in the nation at that time, and was by far the longest. Although Nunn sold his interests to Utah Power and Light Company in 1913, his innovative ideas and successes helped shape the future of electrical power for all of us.

The past is brought to life with photographs from the Archives highlighting the exhibits. Memorabilia from special events, biographical sketches of the presidents of the college, as well as cadet uniforms and arms are displayed. Through a self guided tour, the visitor experiences the essence of each era in The Citadel's history.

A handsome display of Citadel rings from 1895 to the present is a focal point in the foyer of the Museum. Citadel men who lost their lives in wars since World War II are memorialized in photograph albums also in the Museum's foyer.

Amidst threats of war and previous persecution, the Mormons of the Utah territory perceived the emigrants as a threat and layed seige. Under a flag of truce and led to believe the militiamen had arrived to save them, the emigrants were made an offer to leave all of their possessions to the Indians and be conducted safely back to Cedar City. They accepted the conditions and began their trek. Seventeen children too small to walk to Cedar City, some mothers, and the wounded were placed in the wagons. These wagons were followed by the women and older children walking in a group; they were followed by the men, walking alongside their armed militia protectors.

After traveling approximately 1.5 miles, strung out and separated by a small rise in the ground and shrubbery, isolating each group from the others, the emigrants were massacred by Indians and militiamen. The only known survivors were the seventeen small children, who were taken into Mormon homes. The remains of the victims were hurriedly thrown into shallow depressions and ravines and covered with whatever was available. These remains were subsequently scattered over the immediate area by storms and wild animals.

The collection consists of guns, uniforms, swords, armor, and some personal items. Rare books and documents are also a part of the collection. Lining the walls throughout the museum are pictures of veterans of the war. The photos include pictures of soldiers, government officials, civilians, and sailors. Included in the collection are many items from the Florence Stockade (prison camp for Union soldiers). A reference library dealing with this time period is available for public use, and museum employees will help with visitors' family genealogies.

Once part of a complex of buildings, the Slave Mart building is the only structure to remain. When it was first constructed in 1859, the open ended building was referred to as a shed, and used the walls of the German Fire Hall to its west to support the roof timbers. Slave auctions were held inside. The interior was one large room with a 20-foot ceiling, while the front facade was more impressive with its high arch, octagonal pillars and a large iron gate. In 1938, the property was purchased by Miriam B. Wilson, who turned the site into a museum of African American history, arts and crafts.