U.S. Mint

a.k.a. Mint Building;Nevada State Museum

600 N. Carson St., Carson City (Independent City), NV
The building has regional significance as the first structure to be constructed from the plans of Alfred Bult Mullett (1834-1890), who served as Supervising Architect of the Treasury Department from 1866, until 1874. "His tenure of office coincided with an accelerated government building program following the Civil War, and Mullett was responsible for the design of many public buildings in cities and towns throughout the country. The buildings erected by the Treasury Department while Mullett held the office of Supervising Architect are unexcelled by any American structures of their time in scale and solidity of construction."

Other structures in the West designed by Mullett were the Custom House in Portland, Oregon, and the old San Francisco Mint.

The building has local significance in its relationship to the mining boom on the Comstock. As the outpouring of precious metals increased, problems in its transportation to the nearest mint arose. The solution was the construction of a U.S. Mint in the tiny hamlet of Carson City. The transportation problem centered on the risks and high cost of sending large amounts of bullion by wagon and train to San Francisco. Again, the Superintendent of Construction, and later the Mint's first Superintendent was Abraham Curry, the founder of Carson City.
Local significance of the building:
Commerce; Architecture

Listed in National Register of Historic Places in 1975.

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 has a large Basque population: Nevada has one of the largest Basque populations in the U.S., with many Basque immigrants coming to the state to work in the mining industry.
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.