Carson City Historical SocietyOld Washoe City: A Nevada Ghost Town Hiding in Plain Sight

Washoe City, on the west side of Little Washoe Lake along Route 395 between Reno and Carson City, is also known as Old Washoe City to distinguish it from New Washoe City on the east side of Washoe Lake.

It was founded in 1860 as a lumber and milling center for Comstock mining activities. Its location near a precious resource in this arid region, the water of Little Washoe Lake, was ideal for providing timber and farm produce to the Comstock. In return, the Comstock provided Washoe City with ore for milling. In 1861 it became the county seat of the newly formed Washoe County.

Streets were laid out to accommodate homes and businesses, including doctors, dentists, lawyers, livery stables, restaurants, saloons, and stores. A newspaper started publishing in 1862. The population may have grown to 6000 people. Public facilities were built, including churches, a school, a courthouse, and a jail. The development of the Virginia & Truckee Railroad around 1869, with its access to the Carson River and ultimately the Comstock, helped lead to the city's decline. In 1871 the county seat was moved to Reno; by 1880 only about 200 residents remained, and by the early 20th century it was just another Nevada ghost town.

Few original structures remain of the town that once had a population of thousands. The few surviving structures were located on early photographs, maps, aerial photographs and satellite imagery. This information, along with early property records, allowed Gary Ballew to create maps showing the location of buildings that include the first Washoe County Courthouse and the Foreman-Roberts House, which is now in Carson City.

This talk is free and open to the public. Donations are accepted. Please RSVP to carsoncityhistoricalsociety@gmail.com.