November 2010

Business was prospering by 1864, so a new two-story brewery was built in 1865 in the commercial form of Classical Revival, on the corner of Division and King streets, where it stands today. The brewery and a bar were on the main floor and the upper floor served as the Masonic Lodge from 1865 to 1919. The Carson Brewery made steam beer, a bottom-fermenting brew produced without the constant cold temperatures required by lagers. The pure water came from King's Canyon Creek west of town. Hops and barley were mostly imported from California. The brewery delivered barrels, kegs and bottles of beer to local saloons, Comstock tap rooms and other towns around the state. Five kegs a week were also shipped to San Francisco for some Nevada-based customers who would drink no other brand.

It is a two-story masonry Classical Revival structure that incorporates Renaissance Revival and Italianate elements into its composition. It is a building of monumental character and harmonious proportions. To keep costs low, the sandstone was obtained free of charge from the Nevada State Prison quarry, just outside of Carson. The original footprint of the capitol was cruciform, a central rectangle with two wings. The first floor contained a major office at each corner connect by central halls, while the wings of the second floor were filled by the two legislative chambers--the Assembly and the Senate. The octagonal dome topped with a cupola admitted light to the second story. In 1906, an octagonal Annex was added to the rear (east) of the capitol to house the State Library. By the early 20th century, the legislature had outgrown the capitol, and prominent Nevada architect Frederic DeLongchamps was contracted to design northern and southern legislative wings, completed in time for the 1915 session. These compatible wings used stone from the same quarry as the original portion of the capitol, and provided more office space and expanded legislative chambers.

Early rail service to Wabuska was operated by the Carson and Colorado Railroad Company, until 1900, when the Southern Pacific Railroad purchased the company. During the early 1900s, the Wabuska region served as the principal supplier of agricultural products for the mining camps of Tonopah and Goldfield. Increased freight traffic between Wabuska and the neighboring mining camps coupled with the discovery of copper ore in the Mason Valley prompted the Southern Pacific to erect a new depot in Wabuska. By August 1906, a crew of eight Southern Pacific carpenters were working on the new station, which opened for business by October. From 1910 to 1947, Wabuska also served as the transfer point for the Nevada Copper Belt Railroad, a major carrier of copper ore.

When the Mormon Pioneers traveled hundreds of miles by wagon train and handcarts to settle this western wilderness they discovered this familiar looking rock face. Was this the face of their beloved prophet and leader Joseph Smith, who was killed at the hands of a mob while in the protection of government authorities?

The location of the Great Stone Face was populated for hundreds of years by local Indians before the Mormon Pioneers settled this area. One can only assume that these local Indians also saw the face of their great chieftains portrayed in this natural stone formation.

Located along the roadside just before the parking area is the Great Stone Face Petroglyphs site. The meaning of these writings is unknown, but some authorities think these symbols were an agreement dividing water and hunting rights among the Indians of the lower Sevier River area.

The Stewart Indian School complex consists of 83 buildings on a 109-acre landscaped campus. The school was organized as the Stewart Institute in 1890 and operated until 1980. However, the Institute itself was the only Federal Indian school created by act of State legislature. Children from Nevada and throughout the West were forced to attend the Stewart Institute up to secondary school age. Students came from many tribes including the Nevada-based Washoe and Paiute tribes, as well as Hopi, Apache, Pima, Mohave, Walapai, Ute, Pipage, Coropah and Tewa. The school was intended to teach basic trades and to assimilate young American Indians into mainstream American culture. Assimilation policies such as prohibition of speaking native languages and practicing native customs anguished both students and their parents. The Federal policy toward American Indians radically changed with the Indian Reorganization Act of 1934, after which self-determination and self-government were supported. In later years, the Bureau of Indian Affairs encouraged schools such as Stewart to let students speak their native languages and to promote classes in native cultures.

These camps were typically built of relatively temporary frame construction, and the surviving buildings and features such as the stone terraces at the Leeds camp present a unique, if somewhat limited, view of these important facilities. The economic impact of the Great Depression was especially severe in Utah where unemployment averaged 25 percent during the 1930's and was once as high as 36 percent. Because of the pressing need for conservation work, such as flood control, water resource development, etc, in the arid climate of southern Utah, the CCC work projects were of great importance locally.

Approximately 250 men were housed in frame barracks that were located to the southwest with other buildings such as a mess hall, library, and showers. The remaining stone structures are but a few of those originally built. The men were typically from out-of-state and served in the CCC for 9 to 12 months. Temporary remote "spike" camps were established near many of the actual construction projects. The Leeds CCC Camp was closed in 1942, and most of the frame buildings were removed before 1950.

The art museum was founded by visionary leaders in 1909 as the Lafayette Art Association, with the purpose to stimulate and encourage interest in art and to give annual exhibitions, and to establish and maintain permanent collections of works of art. For nearly 100 years, the Art Museum of Greater Lafayette has been a partner with the greater Lafayette community and has grown with the support of its citizens. The art museum regularly offers exhibitions, lectures and classes for the public. The museum’s collection has expanded to more than 800 works of art as a result of donations and purchases.

When the Clark County Historical Socity was organized in 1939, it was with the understanding that the society should acquire a building to house the relics in their possession. The first collections of the society were stored in the old courthouse. In 1951 when the new court house was ready for use, the commissioners granted the Society the use of a basement room for display of items.

In 1964 the commisioners, needing the space, asked that the Society find a place to house their items in another location. The new building was dedicated May 30th 1968.

There are more than 23,000 artifacts in our collection, many of which are on permanent display in a series of exhibits at The History Center. Many of the exhibits include interactive elements, offering families a true "hands-on history" experience. The contributions of women and minorities are also well-represented, demonstrating the rich diversity of a multicultural community. Here are some of the highlights of what visitors may see.

Earliest Inhabitants: Early tools and weapons provide evidence of primitive society that apparently moved into this area as the last Ice Age came to an end. A mastodon's broken rib bone and a large tooth (molar) may be the remnants of a successful hunt.

Miami Indian History: Histories and images of Pacanne, Little Turtle, and Jean Baptiste de Richardville pay homage to the period when the Miami Indian village of Kekionga (near the confluence of our three rivers) was a major trade center in a world-wide market for furs and pelts. Items belonging to the great Miami chief Little Turtle are on display, most notably his watch and a ceremonial sword presented to him by President George Washington.

General James B. McPherson (1828-1864) was born and raised in Clyde and graduated first in his class from West Point Academy. He was mortally wounded while leading his Union troops in the battle of Atlanta. His sword, worn when he fell, is on display along with many other items belonging to the General and his family.