Genoa, Nevada
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Genoa Historic District
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Genoa Courthouse Museum
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| Nearest city: | Minden, Nevada |
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| Coordinates: | 39°0′18″N 119°50′35″W / 39.005°N 119.84306°WCoordinates: 39°0′18″N 119°50′35″W / 39.005°N 119.84306°W |
| Built: | 1850 |
| Architectural style: | Late Victorian |
| Governing body: | State |
| NRHP Reference#: | 75001108[1] |
| Added to NRHP: | April 16, 1975 |
Genoa (
/dʒəˈnoʊ.ə/) is an unincorporated town in Douglas County, Nevada, United States. Founded in 1850, it was the first settlement in what became the Nevada Territory. It is situated within Carson River Valley and is about 42 miles (68 km) south of Reno.[2]
Located within the Utah Territory before the Nevada Territory was created in 1861, Genoa was first settled by Mormon pioneers. The settlement originated as a trading post called Mormon Station, which served as a respite for travelers on the California trail. Orson Hyde changed the name of the community to Genoa, after Genoa, Italy. The original Mormon settlers withdrew in 1857 when they were recalled by Brigham Young due to the Utah War.[3]
The community was the home to Nevada's first hotel, newspaper and court.[citation needed] Nevada's first newspaper, the Territorial Enterprise was founded in Genoa in 1858, but moved to Virginia City, Nevada in 1860. Another first for the state, the Genoa Bar, billed "Nevada's oldest thirst parlor", was patronized by Mark Twain, Teddy Roosevelt and Johnny Cash and was used in John Wayne and Clint Eastwood films.[citation needed] The village was also the set for the movie Misery, starring Kathy Bates. The village doubled in size with buildings added and then removed after the filming.
Much of Genoa, including the original fort, station and hotel was destroyed in a fire in 1910, but replica of the fort was built in 1947. Every year since 1919 Genoa has held a festival called The Candy Dance, where candy, food and crafts are sold to support its town government. The Candy Dance is usually held during the final weekend of September. Many pioneers rest in the Genoa graveyard including Snowshoe Thompson, his wife and his son.
A mile south of Genoa is David Walley's Resort, a famous natural hot springs and spa. It was first built in 1862 and known as Walley's Hot Springs.
Unlike the city of Genoa in Italy, the Nevada community's name is pronounced with the accent on the second syllable: juh-NO-uh.[4]
[edit] Genoa Historic District
In 1975, the community was listed as a historic district on the National Register of Historic Places.[1]
[edit] See also
[edit] References
- ^ a b "National Register Information System". National Register of Historic Places. National Park Service. 2009-03-13. http://nrhp.focus.nps.gov/natreg/docs/All_Data.html.
- ^ Community website
- ^ http://parks.nv.gov/pdf/07MSbrochure.pdf
- ^ Stanley W. Paher (1970). "Ch. 4 Douglas County". Nevada Ghost Towns & Mining Camps. Nevada Publications. p. 55. ISBN 0-913814-04-0.
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