Lakeview House

U.S. 395 S of E. Lake Blvd., Carson City (Independent City), NV
The Lakeview House is of state historical significance because of its association with early-day recreation, transportation, lumbering, and water-supply enterprises. The Lakeview area takes its name from the view it affords of Washoe Lake. In the early 1860's, James M. Thompson, an early landowner in the area, constructed a way-station at the crest of Lakeview Hill and in 1865, it became a station on Dyer's Toll Road from Carson City to Steamboat Springs, Thompson Inn was a popular resort for outings and picnics and a headquarters for hunters and those who came from Carson City and the Comstock to fish the waters of Washoe Lake, On March 29, 1871, the Inn burned to the ground and was not rebuilt.

The area was the terminus for a nine-mile lumber flume and in August of 1872, the Virginia & Truckee Railroad set up ten sidings there to load timber and cordwood for Comstock mines and mills. In June and July of 1873, the Virginia City & Gold Hill Water Company laid a large water pipe beneath the Lakeview Hill Saddle and built a small residence for one of the Company's water superintendents on the site of the old inn. In 1875, a second pipe was laid along with a small Pelton Generating Wheel to provide electricity for the residence. A third water pipe to the Comstock was laid in 1887.

The house was the headquarters for Captain John B. Overton, the water company's superintendent, who oversaw the installation of the second and third pipes and the residence of several supervisors and watermasters who succeeded him.

The Curtis-Wright Corporation purchased the entire water system in August of 1957 in connection with plans for a missile-testing program involving the use of a large volume of water. The Marlette Lake Company, a Curtis-Wright subsidiary, took over the system in December of 1957 and started a program of improving it. The missile-testing program failed to materialize however, and company officials lost interest in the Sierra watershed and the water supply system. In June of 1963, the land and the water system were purchased by the state of Nevada and considerable improvements were made in later years. A pumping station was installed on the east shore of Marlette Lake and steel pipelines were installed to replace the old wooden flumes high in the Sierras.
Local significance of the building:
Engineering; Transportation; Architecture

Listed in National Register of Historic Places in 1978.

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.

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.
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.

This timeline provides a concise overview of the key events in the history 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.