BGuthrie Photos: NV -- Genoa -- Mormon Station State Historic Park

NV -- Genoa -- Mormon Station State Historic Park:

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[1] MSSHP_140716_010.JPG	[2] MSSHP_140716_013.JPG	[3] MSSHP_140716_016.JPG
[4] MSSHP_140716_021.JPG	[5] MSSHP_140716_023.JPG	[6] MSSHP_140716_026.JPG
[7] MSSHP_140716_029.JPG	[8] MSSHP_140716_031.JPG	[9] MSSHP_140716_036.JPG
[10] MSSHP_140716_039.JPG	[11] MSSHP_140716_045.JPG	[12] MSSHP_140716_048.JPG
[13] MSSHP_140716_051.JPG	[14] MSSHP_140716_056.JPG	[15] MSSHP_140716_067.JPG
[16] MSSHP_140716_070.JPG	[17] MSSHP_140716_073.JPG	[18] MSSHP_140716_083.JPG
[19] MSSHP_140716_088.JPG	[20] MSSHP_140716_089.JPG	[21] MSSHP_140716_096.JPG
[22] MSSHP_140716_100.JPG	[23] MSSHP_140716_104.JPG	[24] MSSHP_140716_108.JPG
[25] MSSHP_140716_112.JPG

Specific picture descriptions: Photos above with "i" icons next to the bracketed sequence numbers (e.g. "[1] ") are described as follows:
1. MSSHP_140716_013.JPG: California Trail
2. MSSHP_140716_016.JPG: Genoa -- Mormon Station We Made It! The End of the Great Basin You're now standing at the western edge of the Great Basin. If you were an emigrant headed to California, you would have entered the Great Basin 450 miles back along the trail in southern Idaho, or 500 miles back in Salt Lake City if you had taken the Hastings Cutoff. The mountains in front of this sign, separating you from California and its promise of gold or land, are only 200 yards away. After making it this far, you would have experienced a tremendous feeling of accomplishment -- you had reached the last great physical barrier standing between you and your long dreamed-of goal. Yet, looking up at the foothills of the mighty Sierra Nevada, you might also have wondered if you, your animals, and your wagon had enough remaining strength to cross these mountains. Many emigrant parties rested in this place, letting their animals eat the lush grass and regain their strength before pushing over the Sierra Nevada. At the little store that has been preserved here, emigrants could purchase or trade for supplies. From here the trail goes south to the headwaters of the Carson River and then west over the mountains into California. "At twelve oclock we arrive at a mormon station ... The best of Pine timber is to be seen here ... After Seven miles travel this morning, we Enter a Canyon or narrow pass through which the Head waters of this River (which we have been assending) Descends ... When I look at the Huge Rocks, the large Pine & Fir Trees, the Steep precipices and lastly the Machy or Swampy places near the Head of this Canyon, I only Consider bare Passable" -- William H. Kilgore; July 30 & 31, 1850 Oxen: Cattle used as draft animals. Especially suited for pulling heavy loads, they cost less than mules, were able to live off trailside grasses, and were less likely to be stolen by native bands. Pack Train: A few emigrants used pack mules to carry their belongings along the trail. They had the advantage of speed over the slower moving wagons, but provided no shelter from the elements.
3. MSSHP_140716_021.JPG: You're now standing at the western edge of the Great Basin. If you were an emigrant headed to California, you would have entered the Great Basin 450 miles back along the trail in southern Idaho, or 500 miles back in Salt Lake City if you had taken the Hastings Cutoff. The mountains in front of this sign, separating you from California and its promise of gold or land, are only 200 yards away. After making it this far, you would have experienced a tremendous feeling of accomplishment -- you had reached the last great physical barrier standing between you and your long dreamed-of goal. Yet, looking up at the foothills of the mighty Sierra Nevada, you might also have wondered if you, your animals, and your wagon had enough remaining strength to cross these mountains. Many emigrant parties rested in this place, letting their animals eat the lush grass and regain their strength before pushing over the Sierra Nevada. At the little store that has been preserved here, emigrants could purchase or trade for supplies. From here the trail goes south to the headwaters of the Carson River and then west over the mountains into California.
4. MSSHP_140716_023.JPG: "At twelve oclock we arrive at a mormon station ... The best of Pine timber is to be seen here ... After Seven miles travel this morning, we Enter a Canyon or narrow pass through which the Head waters of this River (which we have been assending) Descends ... When I look at the Huge Rocks, the large Pine & Fir Trees, the Steep precipices and lastly the Machy or Swampy places near the Head of this Canyon, I only Consider bare Passable" -- William H. Kilgore; July 30 & 31, 1850
5. MSSHP_140716_026.JPG: On the Trail Today About Your Journey... Whichever direction your travels take you, you're going to have a similar experience to what the California-bound emigrants had. You're going to see the same country, except for the towns and the ranch meadows. The big difference, though, is that you'll be traveling at a much faster pace. From here, you can be in California in a few hours. For the emigrants, it was as much as a month's journey. As you drive and look at the country, think about those people who plodded along day after day through the thick alkali dust and sand -- headed toward dreams of gold or a new life.
6. MSSHP_140716_039.JPG: Snowshoe Thompson 1856-1876
7. MSSHP_140716_045.JPG: The Washoe People Original Inhabitants
8. MSSHP_140716_048.JPG: Pony Express 1860-1861
9. MSSHP_140716_051.JPG: Pony Express Civil War: Slavery issues between the north and south created explosive, devisive tension through-out the country. The Pony Express originated to deliver timely news from Missouri to Sacramento in a short 10 days during these troubled times. Pony Riders: Young skinny riders of 120 lbs across the primitive lands. Very stout, short horses carried the wiry fellows for the entire 10-20 mile ride. Stations: An incredible 184 stations, stretching through 8 states, supported the Pony Express. Nevada's old Lincoln Highway (today's HWY 50) traces the original route with a total of 30 stations spaced across the state to Mormon Station.
10. MSSHP_140716_056.JPG: Pony Express Stock: The peaceful and scenic picnic area behind you was once like the scene out of a movie. It was the site of a livery stable and blacksmith shop which supported the Pony Express. It was here that the horse stock was kept, maintained and cared for constantly ready for the riders. The Exchange: Riders stopped for just two minutes to change horses and riders in Genoa before going east into the Great Basin Desert or west into the Sierra Nevada Mountains. The actual Pony Express station was located across the road just south of the current fire station. Cost: How much do you think it cost to mail a typical one-ounce letter with the Pony Express? Answer: $2.00 The going rate was $1.00 for each � ounce. Today, that would be at least $75.00 per ounce. Equipment: The rider carried a maximum of 20 pounds of mail in a special leather saddle bag called a mochila. The mail, wrapped in oil silk, was locked in a pocket on the mochila called a cantina.
11. MSSHP_140716_067.JPG: Nevada's First Settlement Genoa or Dayton?
12. MSSHP_140716_070.JPG: Pioneer Life During the 1800's, many pioneer women, as protectors of their family's health, turned to folk wisdom and home remedies. Even when doctors were available, they were no more knowledgeable than the patients themselves. Patented medicines were no more reliable than the quack who sold them.
13. MSSHP_140716_073.JPG: Carson Trail -- Original Mormon Station: "At the ... foot of the mountains, the Mormons ... have established a trading post. ... Passing on from this place, as fast as we could. ... To save what little money we had, we continued up Carson Valley." -- Edward Patterson, Jul. 11, 1850
14. MSSHP_140716_089.JPG: California Trail Mormon Station: Mormon Station served as a supply station to the emigrants. Food, supplies, and fresh animals could be obtained here from John Reese for a price. The plentitude of land and water enabled Reese to build a store and a hotel on this spot. He was able to grow a small yet profitable garden and graze animals for resale. The Carson Route: Although steeper than Donner Pass, the Carson River Route section of the California Trail became a major thoroughfare to California. Travelers had no need to disassemble the wagons to climb over the mountains or fear another winter catastrophe. Carson Valley: Emigrants followed the foothills while in the Carson Valley to avoid the bogs and marshes. But the wagon trains would leave the trail to graze their animals in the grasses nearby. Supplies: Once resupplied, the emigrants would continue along the foothills following what is today HWY 88 over Carson Pass into California. Reese knew he could charge almost any price for his supplies due to the location and need. One pound of sugar or flour cost $2.00. A pound of bacon sold for $2.00 Compare the prices in 1851 to today's prices…. 1 lb of bacon - $2.29 5 lbs of sugar - $.99 5 lbs of flour - $.79
Wikipedia Description: Mormon Station State Historic Park
From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia

Mormon Station Historic State Park is a state park interpreting the site of the first permanent nonnative settlement in Nevada, USA. The park is located in downtown Genoa.

Mormon Station was originally settled by Mormon pioneers and served as a respite for travelers on the California Trail. The park features a replica of the 1851 trading post stockade and a museum with pioneer artifacts and exhibits about the station's history. The reconstructed structures were begun in 1947 with $5,000 provided by the Nevada Legislature. Legislation transferred management of the property to the Division of State Parks in 1955. The site is managed by the Western Nevada Region of Nevada State Parks. It is listed as Nevada Historical Marker 12.
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