Clemens, Orion, House
a.k.a. Mark Twain`s House
502 N. Division St., Carson City (Independent City), NVBuilt in 1862 by Orion Clemens, an attorney and the first Secretary of Nevada Territory. The Great Seal for the Territory was designed by Orion while he resided in this house. Territorial Governor Nye often traveled from the Territory and on those occasions Orion Clemens was Governor 'Pro Tem". Because of Mr. Clemens' often being so designated, the residence became known as the "Governor's Mansion". This particular name has all but virtually disappeared in contemporary works and speech.
A frequent visitor to and oftentimes resident of the home was Orion's brother, Samuel Clemens. Samuel, a U.S. Government employee not allowed to receive pay from other sources, utilized his now famous pseudonym Mark Twain. It is Samuel's pen name rather than his brother's proper name commonly heard as the home's designation.
Local significance of the building:
A frequent visitor to and oftentimes resident of the home was Orion's brother, Samuel Clemens. Samuel, a U.S. Government employee not allowed to receive pay from other sources, utilized his now famous pseudonym Mark Twain. It is Samuel's pen name rather than his brother's proper name commonly heard as the home's designation.
Politics/government
Listed in National Register of Historic Places in 1979.
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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Nevada was once part of Mexico: Before it became part of the United States, Nevada was part of Mexico's Alta California territory. In fact, the state's name comes from the Spanish word for "snow-covered," a reference to the Sierra Nevada mountain range.
About Carson City
Carson City Timeline
Carson City County, located in the western part of Nevada, has a rich history that dates back centuries. The area was originally inhabited by Native American tribes such as the Washoe and Paiute before the arrival of European settlers. In the mid-1800s, the discovery of the Comstock Lode, a rich vein of silver and gold, transformed the region and laid the foundation for the future development of Carson City.
In 1858, the settlement that would become Carson City was established as a trading post and named after the famous frontiersman Kit Carson. The town quickly grew as people flocked to the area to seek their fortunes in mining. In 1861, the Nevada Territory was formed, and Carson City became its capital. This fueled further growth as government offices and services were established in the town.
Carson City played a crucial role during the American Civil War. It served as a supply and transportation hub for Union soldiers, as well as a base for operations against Native American tribes. The Pony Express, a fast mail delivery service, also had a stop in Carson City, making it an important communication link during this time.
Throughout the late 19th and early 20th centuries, Carson City continued to thrive. The economy diversified beyond mining, with the establishment of industries such as agriculture, logging, and manufacturing. Today, Carson City is known for its vibrant downtown area, historic buildings, and outdoor recreational opportunities, attracting visitors from all over.
In summary, Carson City County has a history rooted in mining and its pivotal role in Nevada's political landscape. From its humble beginnings as a trading post to becoming the state capital, the county has experienced significant growth and transformation over the years, solidifying its place in the history of the American West.
In 1858, the settlement that would become Carson City was established as a trading post and named after the famous frontiersman Kit Carson. The town quickly grew as people flocked to the area to seek their fortunes in mining. In 1861, the Nevada Territory was formed, and Carson City became its capital. This fueled further growth as government offices and services were established in the town.
Carson City played a crucial role during the American Civil War. It served as a supply and transportation hub for Union soldiers, as well as a base for operations against Native American tribes. The Pony Express, a fast mail delivery service, also had a stop in Carson City, making it an important communication link during this time.
Throughout the late 19th and early 20th centuries, Carson City continued to thrive. The economy diversified beyond mining, with the establishment of industries such as agriculture, logging, and manufacturing. Today, Carson City is known for its vibrant downtown area, historic buildings, and outdoor recreational opportunities, attracting visitors from all over.
In summary, Carson City County has a history rooted in mining and its pivotal role in Nevada's political landscape. From its humble beginnings as a trading post to becoming the state capital, the county has experienced significant growth and transformation over the years, solidifying its place in the history of the American West.
Carson City Timeline
This timeline provides a condensed summary of the historical journey of Carson City , Nevada.
- 1851 - Carson County is established as one of the original nine counties in the Utah Territory.
- 1854 - The county is renamed Ormsby County after Major William M. Ormsby, a prominent figure in the region.
- 1861 - Ormsby County becomes part of the newly established Nevada Territory.
- 1864 - Nevada is admitted as the 36th state in the United States, and Ormsby County becomes Carson County in honor of Kit Carson, the legendary explorer and frontiersman.
- 1969 - Carson County is consolidated with Ormsby County to form Carson City, an independent city-county.
- 1971 - The Consolidated Municipality of Carson City is officially recognized as the state capital of Nevada.