Churchill County Courthouse
10 Williams St., Fallon, NVThe Churchill County Courthouse is eligible for the National Register of Historic Places under criterion A for its association with the historical development Churchill county and the City of Fallon and under criterion for the architectural significance of the Courthouse. The Courthouse has continuously housed county government offices since 1903. The simple Neo-Classical style, public structure is one of the most substantial buildings in Churchill County and is one of two surviving frame courthouses in Nevada.
The Nevada Territorial government established Churchill County on November 25, 1861. In 1864, La Plata, a mining camp in the southern foothills of the Silver Hill Range became the county's first seat as it organized its government. Its courthouse was a dwelling acquired for seven hundred dollars. By 1867, the La Plata mining boom was played out and the county seat was moved to Stillwater. There, in 1869, the county erected a two story structure in Stillwater. Unfortunately, officials failed to gain clear title to the land. In 1883, the rightful property owner evicted the county which was forced to building another courthouse in Stillwater.
Like La Plata, Stillwater failed to live up to expectations. Throughout the later part of the nineteenth century, the county suffered a steady decline in population. In 1890s, the town's importance to the future of the region was overshadowed by the federal government's plan under the Newland's Project to reclaim two hundred thousand acres of desert in the Lahontan Valley for agricultural use. In response to this, the Churchill County seat was moved in 1903 from Stillwater to Fallon.
There, the County Commissioners immediately initiated plans for the construction of a new courthouse. They accepted the design of Reno architect Ben Leon. W.B. Wyrick of Fallon constructed the frame structure for $7,300.
The Stillwater courthouse, as will all previous Churchill County Courthouses, was demolished. The Churchill County courthouse in Fallon is, therefore, the oldest surviving courthouse in Churchill County. It is also one of two frame courthouses to survive in Nevada: the other in Ely (White Pine County) has been altered for use in a hospital complex. It is the only frame courthouse in Nevada which continues to serve county administrative offices. It is also the only frame courthouse ever built in Nevada based on an architect's design and which follow a well developed architectural program.
The Churchill County courthouse is significant as the oldest surviving center of County government and as a well designed application of Neo-Classical style architecture to frame construction in a public building.
Local significance of the building:
The Nevada Territorial government established Churchill County on November 25, 1861. In 1864, La Plata, a mining camp in the southern foothills of the Silver Hill Range became the county's first seat as it organized its government. Its courthouse was a dwelling acquired for seven hundred dollars. By 1867, the La Plata mining boom was played out and the county seat was moved to Stillwater. There, in 1869, the county erected a two story structure in Stillwater. Unfortunately, officials failed to gain clear title to the land. In 1883, the rightful property owner evicted the county which was forced to building another courthouse in Stillwater.
Like La Plata, Stillwater failed to live up to expectations. Throughout the later part of the nineteenth century, the county suffered a steady decline in population. In 1890s, the town's importance to the future of the region was overshadowed by the federal government's plan under the Newland's Project to reclaim two hundred thousand acres of desert in the Lahontan Valley for agricultural use. In response to this, the Churchill County seat was moved in 1903 from Stillwater to Fallon.
There, the County Commissioners immediately initiated plans for the construction of a new courthouse. They accepted the design of Reno architect Ben Leon. W.B. Wyrick of Fallon constructed the frame structure for $7,300.
The Stillwater courthouse, as will all previous Churchill County Courthouses, was demolished. The Churchill County courthouse in Fallon is, therefore, the oldest surviving courthouse in Churchill County. It is also one of two frame courthouses to survive in Nevada: the other in Ely (White Pine County) has been altered for use in a hospital complex. It is the only frame courthouse in Nevada which continues to serve county administrative offices. It is also the only frame courthouse ever built in Nevada based on an architect's design and which follow a well developed architectural program.
The Churchill County courthouse is significant as the oldest surviving center of County government and as a well designed application of Neo-Classical style architecture to frame construction in a public building.
Politics/government; Architecture
Listed in National Register of Historic Places in 1992.
About National Register Listings
The National Register of Historic Places is the official list of the Nation’s historic places worthy of preservation. Authorized by the National Historic Preservation Act of 1966, the National Park Service’s National Register of Historic Places is part of a national program to coordinate and support public and private efforts to identify, evaluate, and protect America’s historic and archeological resources.
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The Hoover Dam is located in Nevada: The Hoover Dam, one of the largest and most famous dams in the world, is located on the border between Nevada and Arizona. It was built during the Great Depression and was completed in 1936.
About Churchill County
Churchill County Timeline
Churchill County, Nevada, located in the western part of the state, has a rich and diverse history. The region was initially home to Indigenous peoples, including the Paiute and Shoshone tribes, who lived off the land and utilized the area's natural resources. The first European explorers arrived in the early 1800s, with John C. Frémont documenting the region during his expeditions. However, it was not until the mid-1800s that permanent settlement began.
The discovery of silver and gold in nearby mines, such as the Comstock Lode in Virginia City, sparked a population boom and led to the establishment of several towns in and around Churchill County. In 1861, Churchill County was established, named after Fort Churchill, a nearby military outpost. During this period, the county served as a supply center for the mining camps and experienced rapid growth.
By the late 1800s, agriculture started to play a significant role in the county's economy. The Newlands Reclamation Act in 1902 brought irrigation water to the region, transforming the arid desert into fertile farmland. The Lahontan Valley became known for its extensive alfalfa fields, dairy farms, and other agricultural products. The town of Fallon, the county seat, became the heart of the agricultural community, with a growing population and thriving businesses.
In the 20th century, Churchill County played a crucial role during World War II when the Fallon Naval Air Station was established. The airbase served as a training ground for Navy and Marine aviators preparing for combat and continues to operate today as the Naval Air Station Fallon. Over the years, the county has also diversified its economy to include mining, manufacturing, and tourism, with attractions such as the Carson River and Lake Lahontan State Recreation Area drawing visitors.
Overall, Churchill County's history is marked by the rapid growth and development spurred by mining, the transformation of the arid desert into productive farmland, and the long-lasting presence of the Naval Air Station Fallon, all contributing to the county's unique character and economic success.
The discovery of silver and gold in nearby mines, such as the Comstock Lode in Virginia City, sparked a population boom and led to the establishment of several towns in and around Churchill County. In 1861, Churchill County was established, named after Fort Churchill, a nearby military outpost. During this period, the county served as a supply center for the mining camps and experienced rapid growth.
By the late 1800s, agriculture started to play a significant role in the county's economy. The Newlands Reclamation Act in 1902 brought irrigation water to the region, transforming the arid desert into fertile farmland. The Lahontan Valley became known for its extensive alfalfa fields, dairy farms, and other agricultural products. The town of Fallon, the county seat, became the heart of the agricultural community, with a growing population and thriving businesses.
In the 20th century, Churchill County played a crucial role during World War II when the Fallon Naval Air Station was established. The airbase served as a training ground for Navy and Marine aviators preparing for combat and continues to operate today as the Naval Air Station Fallon. Over the years, the county has also diversified its economy to include mining, manufacturing, and tourism, with attractions such as the Carson River and Lake Lahontan State Recreation Area drawing visitors.
Overall, Churchill County's history is marked by the rapid growth and development spurred by mining, the transformation of the arid desert into productive farmland, and the long-lasting presence of the Naval Air Station Fallon, all contributing to the county's unique character and economic success.
Churchill County Timeline
This timeline provides a glimpse into the major events and milestones that have shaped the history of Churchill County, Nevada.
- 1861: Churchill County is established in Nevada Territory.
- 1864: Churchill County becomes part of the newly formed state of Nevada.
- 1870: The county seat is established in the town of Stillwater.
- 1904: The county seat is moved to Fallon.
- 1908: The Southern Pacific Railroad arrives in Fallon, enhancing transportation and trade.
- 1940s: The Fallon Naval Air Station is established during World War II.
- 1950: Construction of the Lahontan Dam begins.
- 1951: Lahontan Dam is completed and the Lahontan Reservoir is formed.
- 1963: The Churchill County Museum is opened to preserve the area's history.
- 1974: Fallon Naval Air Station becomes a major training center for naval aircrews.