Dayton Historical Society hosts 'Discover Gold in Nevada, Again' a Living History Event, Saturday

The Historical Society of Dayton Valley hosts “Discover Gold in Dayton, Again,” as part of the Nevada 150th celebration, Saturday, May 17 in Old Town Dayton. Everyone is invited to come celebrate the community’s “firsts."

It is the location of Nevada’s first gold discovery which took place in 1849. It was the Silver State’s first permanent settlement, founded in 1851 and is the site of Lyon County’s first courthouse, opened in 1864. It is also the site of Nevada’s first marriage and ironically, the first divorce, as well, Docent Lauri Emerich, said. “We have a lot to celebrate.”

This living history event begins with opening ceremonies at Dayton Community Center on Pike Street at 9 a.m. and continues until 5 p.m. As a special tribute to Armed Forces Day, veterans and those who service will be recognized by the Lyon County Sheriff’s Honor Guard, Dayton Elementary schools choirs, a black powder salute by the Nevada Civil War volunteers and a message from Sheriff Allen Veil.

The idea came about after long-time Dayton resident, journalist and historical society member Laura Tennant approach the society membership with the idea of putting together a community celebration in keeping with Nevada’s 150th birthday.

Working collaboratively, one member came up with the even name, another with the idea it should be a living history event, and the members got busy researching and planning activities of mid-19th-century life.

“It’s been a lot of work, but this is so important to our community and letting people know the history of Dayton, because there’s so much here,” Emerich said. “Everything will be set in 1864 and we look forward to a wonderful event.”

Everyone is invited to dress in period costume or to come as they are, for a day in which the community returns to its earliest days. Those who come in costume will receive free ice cream from Big Nick, who, back in the day, had Big Nick’s Bar, which after school each day, he would open as an ice cream parlor for Dayton’s children. They would visit Big Nick for ice cream and storytelling, and he will be on hand Saturday in the courtyard of Gold Canyon Steakhouse, dispensing ice cream for sale and free to those in costume.

There will be storytelling and visits from Abe Lincoln, Adolph Sutro, and Mark Twain, as well as a reenactment of The Pony Express mail handoff, quilt and photo displays. Wagon rides will be available for a $1 suggested donation. The ride will go from Pike and Taylor streets to the Cemetery, Gold Canyon and dredging pit, returning to the Blue Stone Building (the Courthouse) parking lot.

There will be gold panning, blacksmithing and Dutch oven cooking, with tastes offered for $2. Gold Creek old-fashioned childrens' games hosted by The Boys & Girls Club, including horseshoe tossing, spoons and more.

Buildings throughout Old Town will be open for visits and will feature a variety of activities and historic displays, including The Schoolhouse Museum and the Firehouse/Jail, where Judge Camille Vecchiarelli will be on hand to answer questions. Activities and displays will also take place at the Community Center, The Blue Stone Building and the Carson & Colorado Train Depot.

Come see single jack drilling, bucksaw log cutting and railroad spike driving demonstrations or stroll through the Civil War Camp hosted by Nevada Civil War volunteers and Battle Born Civil War re-enactors, a place that illustrates day-to-day life for soldiers and people of the time.

In addition to Big Nick’s Ice Cream,which will also have drinks and tri-tip sandwiches available, Knights of Columbus will offer Polish sausages, hamburgers, chips and sodas and Soroptimist International of the Comstock, will be selling muffins, cupcakes and water.

Anyone wanting to portray a specific historical character, call Gretchen Arndt at 775-450-9607. For more information, call Mary Ann Sichak, HSDV secretary at 530-391-6787.