Genoa

As I wandered around Douglas County, I eventually came to the charming little town of Genoa. Genoa was the county seat of Douglas County until 1916. That is the year the county government moved eight miles east to Minden, where it remains today. Douglas County was created in 1861, shortly after Nevada was granted territorial status by Abraham Lincoln. Until then, this area had been part of Utah, which was still a territory. Even though Nevada was carved from Utah, Nevada became a state 32 years before Utah did.
Genoa grew to a population of about 1,000 people. The peak year for the town was 1910. That is the year a devastating fire swept through the downtown business district and leveled two entire blocks, several homes, the county courthouse and Mormon Station, which was a trading post that got the town started. Even though the county government authorized for repairs to made to the courthouse, the county seat moved to Minden six years later. Today, the old courthouse is a historical museum. I visited this museum, plus Mormon Station across the street, while I was in Genoa.
For 4 years, the Douglas County government met in the trading post and court was held in the loft of the building. This situation lasted until the Douglas County Courthouse opened for business in 1865.
Genoa is 12 miles south of Carson City. It is located in a lush, grassy meadow at the foot of the heavily forested Sierra Nevada mountain range. This lush, grassy valley is why the town got started in the first place, because it was prime grazing land. The town that was established in this location became a major supply center for prospectors before they headed over the mountains to California to participate in the gold rush that began in 1849.
Genoa is considered to be the oldest town in Nevada and this title has been officially bestowed upon it by the state historical commission. The Genoa Chamber of Commerce also says Genoa is the oldest town in Nevada. However, this fact has been debated for years. There is ample evidence that says Dayton, which is about 30 miles to the northeast, is older than Genoa. I have done research into the matter and I believe Dayton is older than Genoa. In the next installment of this blog, i will compare Genoa and Dayton and tell you why I think Dayton is older.