Histories

History of Douglas County, Nevada

It is impossible to separate the early history of Douglas County from that of the history of the state of Nevada. Researchers should keep in mind that prior to 1861; Nevada Territory belonged at various times to Mexico, California and Utah.

It is believed that the first white men set foot in what was to become Douglas County between the years of 1834 and 1843. The first documented exploration of the area was in 1843 when General John C. Fremont passed through the large valley that he subsequently named "Carson Valley" after his scout, Kit Carson.

From 1845 to 1848, immigrants on their way to California sporadically crossed through this Mexican Territory. Then in 1848, the Nevada Territory was seized from the Mexican Government by the United States at the end of the Mexican-American war. This territory became part of California and was known as "Washoe Country".

In 1849, the first white settlement was established in this area. The settlement, known as the "Mormon Station", was a trading post and way station established by H.S. Beatie for travelers on their way to California from the Great Basin. The station was abandoned within the year due to Indian troubles. The station was re-established in 1851 under new ownership, again by Mormons from Salt Lake City, and became the first town in the territory, Genoa. Genoa still exists today at the foot of the Sierra Nevada Mountains.

In 1850, the "Washoe Country" became part of Utah Territory (Millard County, Utah). By 1851, an independent government had been established in the Territory but lasted only until Utah authorities intervened.

In 1854, Millard County was replaced with Carson County, Utah... the County Seat was the town of Genoa. The name changed but the problems remained the same. The disgruntled inhabitants petitioned Congress to annex them to California. Petition denied. By 1856, sixty to seventy Mormon families were living in this territory - as well as a number of Gentiles.

In 1857, Brigham Young sent word to these families that they were to return to Salt Lake City to help defend the Church against the United States Government. Those that were devout Mormons deserted their homes and returned to Salt Lake City as directed by Brigham Young. Gentiles in the area quickly seized their lands. There were a number of Mormons that did not return to Salt Lake, they were termed "Jack" Mormons.

In 1859, Territory inhabitants once again tried to free themselves from Utah. Several of them met in the town of Genoa and drew up a State Constitution over a ten-day period. The new state failed. In the same year, a silver bonanza was discovered in the Territory and the Federal Government began to take serious notice of the area.

On March 22, 1861, the Utah Territory was divided. The western portion of the Territory became the Nevada Territory. President Abraham Lincoln named James W. Nye, from New York, the first Territorial Governor.

On November 25, 1861, the Nevada Territory was divided into nine separate counties with county seats: Douglas, Esmeralda, Ormsby, Washoe, Storey, Churchill, Humboldt, Lake and Lyon. Douglas County was named for Stephen A. Douglas, Representative and Senator for the state of Illinois. On October 31, 1864, Nevada became our 36th State... After the turn of the Century, the County Seat for Douglas was moved from Genoa to Minden, Nevada where it remains today.

Douglas County is 710 square miles in area, the fourth most populated county in Nevada with some 40,000 residents. Its boundaries encompass the Sierra Nevada mountains and Lake Tahoe as well as the Carson River and Topaz Lake. Elevations vary from a low of 4,625 feet on the valley floor to a high of 9,500 feet in the Sierra Nevada. An arid climate prevails with warm summers, moderate winters, and cool night temperatures year around.

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