Second Railroad Car No. 21

2180 S. Carson St., Carson City (Independent City), NV
Virginia & ruckee Mail-Express-Baggage Second No. 21 was fabricated in 1907 at the American Car & Foundry Company Shops at St. Charles, Missouri, for the Nevada Northern Railway. With headquarters in New York City, the giant American Car & Foundry Works was organized in 1899 through the consolidation of 13 previously independent car building firms. Known today as AMCAR, American Car & Foundry is still an active major builder of railroad equipment throughout the world. As one of the V. & T.'s most modern passenger type cars, Second No. 21 was the sole A.C. & F. - built car ever owned by the Bonanza Railway.

The Nevada Northern Railway was formed in 1905 to connect prosperous new copper mines west of Ely with distant northern smelting operations and transcontinental rail service at Cobre, Nevada, on the Southern Pacific Railroad. In 1907, the American Car & Foundry Company turned out two red mail-express-baggage cars for the Nevada Northern--Nos. 20 and 21. For some 30 years the similar cars operated over the 140-mile route of the Nevada Northern until passenger train service was discontinued on July 31, 1941.

Early in 1940, the V. & T. was notified by the U.S. Railway Mail Service that their antiquated 1874 Mail Car No. 13 would not be acceptable for service unless it was structurally reinforced. Consequently, during June of 1940, V. & T. Receiver Samuel C. Bigelow began inquiring of Nevada Northern Vice President and General Manager G.L. Hickey for purchase of one of the Northern's two mail carrying cars. As the longer No. 20 had inadequate storage facility for use by the Post Office Department, Bigelow secured N.N. No, 21 for $1,100, f.o.b. Cobre, after the car completed revenue service on July 31, 1941.

Soon after arrival at the V. & T.'s Carson Shops early in August the 60-foot car was inspected by the Railway Mail Service and following renovation at a cost of $556.09, it was placed into daily Reno-Minden service. The car retained its Nevada Northern numbering and became V. & T. Second No. 21 replacing Mail-Express first No. 21 which had been sold to Paramount Studios in 1938.
Bibliography
Virginia & Truckee Railroad Equipment Restoration Feasibility Investigation, by Morgan Railcar Company, Inc., for Nevada State Park Systemm 1975.

Railroads of Nevada and Eastern California, Vols. I & II, by David F. Myrick, Howell-North Books, Berkeley, California, 196.
Local significance of the structure:
Industry; Commerce; Engineering; Transportation

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.

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Nevada was once home to a secret U.S. government site: Area 51, a top-secret U.S. government site that has long been the subject of conspiracy theories, is located in Nevada.
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.